IODOQUINOL
(eye-oh-do-kwin'ole)
Diiodohydroxyquin, Dioquinol, Sebaquin, Yodoxin
Classifications: antiinfective; amebicide; antiprotozoal
Prototype: Emetine
Pregnancy Category: C

Availability

210 mg, 650 mg tablets

Actions

Direct-acting (contact) amebicide.

Therapeutic Effects

Effective against both trophozoites and cyst forms of Entamoeba histolytica in intestinal lumen. Not useful for extraintestinal amebiasis. Range of antiprotozoal action includes Trichomonas vaginalis and Balantidium coli; also has some antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Uses

Intestinal amebiasis and for asymptomatic passers of cysts. Commonly used either concurrently or in alternating courses with another intestinal amebicide.

Unlabeled Uses

Balantidiasis and Acrodermatitis enteropathica; traveler's diarrhea; shampoo preparation (Sebaquin) used for control of seborrheic dermatitis of scalp.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any 8-hydroxyquinoline or to iodine-containing preparations or foods; hepatic or renal damage; preexisting optic neuropathy. Safe use during pregnancy (category C) or lactation is not established.

Cautious Use

Severe thyroid disease; minor self-limiting problems; prolonged high-dosage therapy.

Route & Dosage

Intestinal Amebiasis
Adult: PO 630–650 mg t.i.d. for 20 d (max: 2 g/d); may repeat after a 2–3 wk drug-free interval
Child: PO 30–40 mg/kg/d in 2–3 divided doses for 20 d (max: 1.95 g/d); may repeat after a 2–3 wk drug-free interval

Administration

Oral

Adverse Effects (1%)

Body as a Whole: Hypersensitivity (urticaria, pruritus). CNS: Headache, agitation, retrograde amnesia, vertigo, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy (especially in children); muscle pain, weakness usually below T12 vertebrae, dysesthesias especially of lower limbs, paresthesias, increased sense of warmth. Special Senses: Blurred vision, optic atrophy, optic neuritis, permanent loss of vision. GI: Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, rectal irritation and itching. Skin: Discoloration of hair and nails, acne, hair loss, urticaria, various forms of skin eruptions. Hematologic: Agranulocytosis (rare). Endocrine: Thyroid hypertrophy, iodism [generalized furunculosis (iodine toxiderma), skin eruptions, fever, chills, weakness].

Diagnostic Test Interference

Iodoquinol can cause elevations of PBI and decrease of I-131 uptake (effects may last for several weeks to 6 mo even after discontinuation of therapy). Ferric chloride test for PKU (phenylketonuria) may yield false-positive results if iodoquinol is present in urine.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Small amount absorbed from GI tract. Elimination: Excreted in feces.

Nursing Implications

Assessment & Drug Effects

Patient & Family Education


Common adverse effects in italic, life-threatening effects underlined; generic names in bold; classifications in SMALL CAPS; Canadian drug name; Prototype drug