IODOQUINOL

Brand & Generic Names

Diiodohydroxyquin
Diodoquin
Diquinol
Yodoxin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antiprotozoal

Uses

Treatment for intestinal amebiasis and balantidiasis.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Mix with applesauce or chocolate syrup if unable to swallow tablets.

When to take:
Three times daily after meals for 20 days. Treatment may be repeated after 2 to 3 weeks.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Kills amoeba (microscopic parasites) in intestinal tract.

Time lapse before drug works:
May require full course of treatment (20 days) to cure.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
> Prolonged dosing at high level may produce blurred vision, muscle pain, eye pain, numbness and tingling in hands or feet. > Single overdosage unlikely to threaten life.

WHAT TO DO:

If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

Infrequent:

• Clumsiness, rash, hives, itching, blurred vision, muscle pain, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, chills, fever, weakness.
• Swelling of neck (thyroid gland).

Rare:

• Dizziness, headache, rectal itching.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You have kidney or liver disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have optic atrophy thyroid disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
No proven problems, but avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems, but avoid if possible. Discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended. Safety and dosage has not been established.

Prolonged use:
Not recommended.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor.

Others:

• Thyroid tests may be inaccurate for as long as 6 months after discontinuing iodoquinol treatment.
• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	Taking with food may decrease
	gastrointestinal side effects.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.