IODOQUINOL (Oral)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Diquinol
- Yodoquinol
- Yodoxin
In Canada?
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Other commonly used names are diiodohydroxyquin and diiodohydroxyquinoline.
Category
Description
Iodoquinol (eye-oh-doe-KWIN-ole) belongs to the group of medicines calledantiprotozoals. These medicines are used to treat infections caused by protozoa (tiny, one-celled animals). Iodoquinol is used most oftenin the treatment of an intestinal infection called amebiasis. However, itmay be used to treat other types of infection as determined by your doctor.
Iodoquinol is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage form:
Oral- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For iodoquinol, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to iodoquinol, chloroxine (e.g., Capitrol), clioquinol (e.g.,Vioform), iodine, pamaquine, pentaquine, or primaquine. Also tell your healthcare professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods,preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Iodoquinol has not been reported to cause birth defectsor other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether iodoquinol passes intobreast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are takingthis medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?Children may be more likely to develop certain sideeffects, especially if given high doses for a long time.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof iodoquinol in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of iodoquinol. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Eye disease?Iodoquinol may cause side effects affecting theeye or make eye disease worse
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease or
- Thyroid disease?Patients with kidney disease, liver disease,or thyroid disease may have an increased chance of side effects
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine after meals to lessen possible stomach upset, unlessotherwise directed by your doctor.
If the tablets are too large to swallow whole, they may be crushed andmixed with a small amount of applesauce or chocolate syrup.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep takingthis medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin tofeel better after a few days. Do not miss any doses.
Dosing?The dose of iodoquinol will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of iodoquinol. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For amebiasis:
- Adults?630 or 650 milligrams (mg) three times a day for twentydays.
- Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 10 to 13.3 mg per kilogram (kg) (4.5 to6 mg per pound) of body weight three times a day for twenty days.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Thismedicine may cause blurred vision or loss of vision. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines,or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
If you must have thyroid function tests, make surethe doctor knows that you are taking this medicine or have taken it withinthe past 6 months.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these sideeffects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctorimmediately if any of the following side effects occur:
With long-term use of high doses?especially in children
Blurred vision or any change in vision; clumsinessor unsteadiness; decreased vision or eye pain; increased weakness; muscle pain; numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet
Other sideeffects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effectsmay go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However,check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or arebothersome:
Other side effects notlisted above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects,check with your doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approvedfor marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also usefulfor other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in productlabeling, iodoquinol is used in certain patients with the following parasiteinfections:
- Amebiasis, extraintestinal or invasive (amebiasis infection occurringoutside the intestine)
- Balantidiasis (an infection caused by protozoa)
For patients taking this medicine for extraintestinal or invasive amebiasis infection:
- You should take iodoquinol along with metronidazole, which is anothermedicine that your doctor has prescribed, for treating your amebiasis infection.
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relatingto proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.
Revised: 03/25/1996
