[Comparison of quinfamide vs etofamide in the Mexican population with intestinal amebiasis]

An open comparative, prospective and randomized study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of quinfamide and etofamide in the treatment of intestinal amebiasis. This study evaluate two populations: children (1-16 years) and adults (17-80 years). The drugs used were quinfamide at doses of 4.3 mg/kg b.i.d. in children, and 100 mg t.i.d. adults both for one day; and etofamide at doses of 200 mg t.i.d. in children and 500 mg b.i.d. in adults both for three days. A total of 110 patients were included, 54 in the quinfamide group and 56 in the etofamide group. No significant difference between groups in baseline demographics characteristics were observed. Global healing rate for quinfamide group was 87% and for etofamife group was 76.8% (p = 0.0696). This difference was similar considering both group of populations. It is concluded that the therapeutical response was better for the quinfamide group than for the etofamide group. Both drugs have the same safety profile.