This nitrofuran has in vitro activity against S. aureus, S. pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, E. coli, Vibrio cholerae, Clostrida spp., Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Bacteroides spp. However, the Vibrio cholerae 0139 Bengal strain, which has been prevalent since 1992 in the Indian subcontinent, is furazolidone resistant. The drug is also active against trichomonads and Giardia lamblia. Metronidazole-resistant strains of Trichomonas vaginalis are furazolidone sensitive. 

Uses

Furazolidone can be used for treatment of shigellosis and giardiasis and is available as 100-mg tablets and a suspension containing 25 mg/5 ml. The dosage for adults is 100 mg four times daily and appropriately reduced doses are recommended for children. For travelers’ diarrhea, treatment is usually given for 5 days, although 7–10 days’ treatment is required for giardiasis. 

Dupont et al. (1984) showed that furazolidone was more effective than ampicillin for travelers’ diarrhea. They considered that,although co-trimoxazole was superior for treatment of shigellosis and perhaps severe diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic E. coli strains, furazolidone may have a place in therapy of travelers'diarrhea because of its activity against Campylobacter spp. and Giardia. 

Furazolidone was therefore suggested for the treatment of diarrhea in settings where laboratory diagnosis of etiology was not feasible. Furazolidone can also be used for the treatment of cholera, provided that sensitive strains of V. cholerae are involved. It appears that most of the orally administered furazolidone is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. However, serum and urinary concentrations of the drug are low, probably because most furazolidone is rapidly metabolized in tissues. 

Side effects

Side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, drug fever, rashes, and an "Antabuse"(disulfiram)-like reaction to alcohol.