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Alinia This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Alinia (nitazoxanide) but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns. Why is Alinia prescribed? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Nitazoxanide is used to treat diarrhea in children and adults caused by the protozoa Cryptosporidium or Giardia. Protozoa are suspected as the cause when diarrhea lasts more than 7 days. Nitazoxanide is in a class of medications called antiprotozoal agents. It works by stopping the growth of certain protozoa that cause diarrhea. Recent news articles mentioning Alinia [an error occurred while processing this directive]How should Alinia be used? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Nitazoxanide comes as a tablet and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food every 12 hours for 3 days. Take nitazoxanide at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nitazoxanide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Other uses for Alinia [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Before using apomorphine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to apomorphine, sulfa medications, any other medications, or sulfites. do not use apomorphine if you are taking a 5HT3 (serotonin) blocker such as alosetron (Lotronex), dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), or palonosetron (Aloxi). tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: allergy, cough and cold medications; amiodarone (Cordarone); antidepressants; antihistamines; cisapride (Propulsid); disopyramide (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills'); dofetilide (Tikosyn); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); haloperidol (Haldol); medications to treat mental illness or upset stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure, pain, or seizures; metoclopramide (Reglan); moxifloxacin (Avelox); muscle relaxants; other medications for Parkinson's disease; phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra); pimozide (Orap); procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl); quinidine (Quinidex); sedatives; sleeping pills; sotalol (Betapace); sparfloxacin (Zagam); tranquilizers; or nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordril, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO), or nitroglycerin (Nitro-BID, nitro-Dur, Nitroquick, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates come as tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays, patches, pastes, and ointments. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your medications contain nitrates. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or if you have or have ever had asthma; dizziness; eye disease; fainting spells; irregular heartbeat; low blood pressure; mental illness; a sleep disorder; a stroke or mini-stroke, or other brain problems; sudden uncontrolled movements and falls; or heart, kidney, liver, or lung disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using apomorphine, call your doctor. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using apomorphine. you should know that apomorphine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything that might put you at risk of getting hurt until you know how this medication affects you. you should know that you may suddenly fall asleep during your regular daily activities while you are taking apomorphine. You may not feel drowsy before you fall asleep. If you suddenly fall asleep while you are doing something such as eating, talking, or watching television, call your doctor. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you talk to your doctor. You should not drink alcohol while you are using apomorphine. Alcohol can make the side effects from apomorphine worse. you should know that apomorphine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, upset stomach, sweating, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying or sitting position. This is more common when you first start using apomorphine or following an increase in dose. To avoid this problem, get out of bed or get up from a seated position slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. What side effects can Alinia cause? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Nitazoxanide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: stomach pain headache upset stomach vomiting discolored urine Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately: skin rash itching Nitazoxanide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088]. Brand names for Alinia [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Alinia®