Some pharmacological and toxicological properties of furazolidone

Abstract

The pharmacological and toxicological properties of furazolidone have been briefly reviewed. Among the most important pharmacological actions of furazolidone is the inhibition of mono- and diamine oxidase activities, which seem to depend, at least in some species, on the presence of the gut flora. The drug also seems to interfere with the utilization of thiamin, which is probably instrumental in the production of anorexia and loss of body weight of the treated animals. Furazolidone is known to induce a condition of cardiomyopathy in turkeys, which could be used as a model to study alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in man. The drug is most toxic to ruminants. The toxic signs observed were of nervous nature. Experiments are in progress in this laboratory to try to explain the mechanism(s) by which this toxicity is brought about. It is uncertain whether the use of furazolidone at the recommended therapeutic dose would result in drug residues in tissues of treated animals. This is a matter of public health importance as the drug has been shown to possess a carcinogenic activity. It is important that a simple and reliable method of identification and estimation of furazolidone residues be devised. More work is needed to elucidate the mode of action and biochemical effects caused by the drug in both the host and the infective organisms.

Helicobacter Pylori Treatment with Alternative Drugs: Good and Cheap for Developing Countries Furazolidone-Based Treatment- Omeprazole, Furazolidone and Tetracycline Open-Label Trial in A Developing Country: Why Not?

“…The use of Furazolidone in H. pylori therapies results in lots of controversy in the literature. Zullo et al [16] argued forward the potential harmful effects of the furazolidone based on studies of the literature [17][18][19][20][21].…”

Evaluation of the carcinogenic effects of furazolidone and its metabolites in two fish species

“…As expected, evidence gathered in this trail agrees with the established fact that FZD is a carcinogenic substance. 1,2,4,17,18 In this particular trial, the type of cancer induced by FZD was defined as melanohistiocytoma. These tumors become more apparent and profuse with the time of exposure to FZD.…”

“…They are still used to treat many bacterial and protozoal infections in food-producing animals worldwide, particularly in pigs and poultry, and are capable of inducing cancer, as well as having other toxic side effects under various experimental model designs. [1][2][3] Such evidence has been taken as the basis to prohibit their use in animal health in many countries.…”

The effect of furazolidone on some clinical and biochemical parameters in goats

“…Given at the recommended therapeutic dose and above, furazolidone (FZ) has been shown to produce several pharmacological and toxicological effects in many species (4). These include inhibition of the activities of monoamine oxidase and aspartate transaminase (1), and stimulation of the adrenal cortex in poultry (5).…”