Nitroimidazoles in the treatment of trichomoniasis, giardiasis, and amebiasis

Nitroimidazoles have been extensively evaluated in the treatment of trichomoniasis, giardiasis, liver and intestinal amebiasis. The most widely used are metronidazole, tinidazole, ornidazole, and secnidazole. Tinidazole, ornidazole, and secnidazole have a much longer half-life than metronidazole, allowing single-dose or once daily administration. Nitro-5-imidazoles remain extremely effective drugs for treating protozoans, Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia intestinalis. Although all are suspected of potential carcinogenicity, they are the drugs of choice for treating protozoal infections.