A study of the experimental chemotherapeutic activity of
secnidazole as compared to
metronidazole is presented, including a summary of toxicity, metabolism, pharmacokinetic studies and preliminary results from clinical trials.
Secnidazole is about twice as active as
metronidazole against experimental
amebiasis, equiactive against
trichomoniasis, and possesses low toxicity. After
oral administration to man, active concentrations in the blood persist much longer than in the case of
metronidazole and notably longer than for
tinidazole. In the clinic, its therapeutic activity against
hepatic amebiasis seems to be at least equal to that of
metronidazole; it appears also to be more active against acute
intestinal amebiasis, and specially more effective against E. minuta and
cyst carriers. Against vaginal
trichomoniasis it was as effective as
metronidazole after repeated administration for several days, and the percentage recovery rate was as high after one single dose as after daily administration. The digestive tolerance seems to be very satisfactory. In view of these findings, the advantages which
secnidazole might possess over other 5-nitroimidazoles already in use for the treatment of
amebiasis and
trichomoniasis are discussed.