Ornidazole

Ornidazole is an antibiotic medicine that helps the body to fight infections caused by bacteria and parasites. Ornidazole is used to treat infections after surgery, infections in the liver, stomach, intestines, vagina, brain, heart, lungs and skin. Ornidazole belongs to the drug class of nitroimidazole derivatives antiprotozoals.

BRAND NAMES:

Dazolic – Dazolic tablets contain ornidazole as the main Active ingredient with a composition of 500mg. It is available in the form of oral tablets that help in fighting against infections.

Ornimax – It is available in the form of oral tablets containing ornidazole as the main active ingredient used against the infection caused after surgery.

Ornida IV infusion - It is administered through IV into the patient’s body after surgery to avoid infections. It is available with a strength of 500mg of ornidazole.

MECHANISM OF ACTION:

The mechanism of action of ornidazole involves its reduction within anaerobic bacteria and protozoa, leading to the production of reactive intermediates that damage DNA and disrupt essential cellular processes. These actions result in the effective killing of the target microorganisms.

PHARMACOKINETICS:

Absorption: Ornidazole is completely absorbed from the small intestine when administered orally, with bioavailability of >90% and tmax ranging between 2 and 4 hours. Food does not affect the extent but the rate of absorption of ornidazole.

Distribution: The binding of human plasma proteins was less than 15%, and the mean half-life of elimination from the plasma was 14.4 hours.

Metabolism: Ornidazole is primarily metabolized in the liver to 2-hydroxymethyl and a-hydroxymethyl metabolites.

Excretion: The mean radioactivity recovered from ornidazole is excreted through urine and found in the feces at 22.1%.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRAION:

Ornidazole is available in the form of tablets and IV infusion. The dosage administered to the patient depends on the condition that the patient going through.

For treating amebiasis, 500mg of ornidazole is given twice daily by mouth for 5 to 10 days. Patients with amebic dysentery may be given 1.5g as a single daily dose for 3 days. For treating severe amebic dysentery conditions, the dose administered is 1.5g as a single dose for 3 days. For amebic liver abscess, ornidazole may be given by intravenous infusion in a dose of 0.5 to 1g initially, followed by 500mg every 12 hours for 3 to 6 days.

For treating giardiasis, 1 or 1.5g of the drug is given mouth as a single daily dose for 1 or 2 days. In trichomoniasis, a single dose of 1.5 g is given by mouth or 1 g by mouth together with 500mg vaginally is given. Ornidazole 500mg is given twice daily by mouth for up to 5 days with or without 500mg vaginally.

Ornidazole is administered intravenously to treat anaerobic bacterial infections. The initial dose is 0.5 to 1g, followed by 500mg every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days. Oral treatment at 500mg every 12 hours should be substituted.

To prevent post-operative anaerobic bacterial infections, 1g is administered via intravenous infusion around 30 minutes before surgery.

Ornidazole is an effective and safe medication for the treatment of active Crohn's disease. Helicobacter pylori causes chronic type B gastritis and is associated with the majority of peptic ulcer diseases. Ornidazole is used as an antibiotic to treat Helicobacter pylori infection. 500 mg of ornidazole is taken with 30 mg of lansoprazole and 1g of amoxicillin.

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

Before taking ornidazole it is important to discuss with the health service provider if the patient is undergoing any other medication. Some medicines get to interact and cause adverse effects.

Ornidazole may interact with blood thinner – warfarin.

muscle relaxant - vecuronium bromide.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Ornidazole is contraindicated in patients suffering from hypersensitivity, chronic alcoholics, blood dyscrasias, and neurological disease.

ADVERSE EFFECTS: