he Food and Drug Administration recently green-lighted a new medication to treat children’s diarrhea caused by waterborne parasites.
Alinia, chemically known as nitazoxanide, is the first drug to gain government approval for killing cryptosporidium and giardia, which are transmitted through fecal-contaminated water and dirty pools.
The approval of Alinia comes on the heels of a newly released study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicating that outbreaks of waterborne illness from wells, pools, hot tubs and waterparks rose across the nation.
“It may not become a blockbuster product, but from a health standpoint, it is very important,” said Jean-Francois Rossignol, chairman and chief scientist at Romark Laboratories in Tampa, Fla., which developed the drug.
Unlike over-the-counter remedies that suppress symptoms of diarrhea but do not cure the illness, Alinia blocks enzymes that feed parasites in the digestive tract. “It’s like pulling the spark plugs on a car,” said Marc Ayers, president/CEO of Romark Laboratories. “With Alinia, we have high cure rates.”
Romark Laboratories hopes to sell Alinia tablets for adults next year, after completing an additional study ordered by the FDA, said company officials.
The prescription-only drug for children aged 12 months to 11 years should reach pharmacies in February 2003.
