Niridazole

Niridazole
Clinical data
MedlinePlus	a682128
ATC code	P02BX02 ( WHO );
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 1-(5-Nitro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)imidazolidin-2-one;
CAS Number	61-57-4 ;
PubChem CID	6093 ;
ChemSpider	5868 ;
UNII	N116U8Y5QQ ;
KEGG	D05170 ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6045244 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.466
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C6H6N4O3S
Molar mass	214.20 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image ;
	SMILES C1CN(C(=O)N1)C2=NC=C(S2)[N+](=O)[O-];
	InChI InChI=1S/C6H6N4O3S/c11-5-7-1-2-9(5)6-8-3-4(14-6)10(12)13/h3H,1-2H2,(H,7,11) ; Key:RDXLYGJSWZYTFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	(what is this?) (verify)

Last updated July 17, 2025

Niridazole is a schistosomicide.^[1] It is used to treat schistosomiasis, the helmintic disease caused by certain flatworms (trematodes) from the genus Schistosoma (formerly Bilharzia). It is also known by its trade name Ambilhar. It is usually given as tablets.

Niridazole has central nervous system toxicity and can cause dangerous side effects, such as hallucinations.^[2] Also, it may cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. However, it is one of the most effective schistosomicide drugs.^[3]

It has recently also been investigated for use in the treatment of periodontitis.^[4]^[5]

Mechanism of action

Niridazole is rapidly concentrated in the parasite and inhibits oogenesis and spermatogenesis. The compound also inhibits the phosphofructokinase enzyme, leading to glycogen depletion and hepatic shift.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

↑ Tracy JW, Catto BA, Webster LT (September 1983). "Reductive metabolism of niridazole by adult Schistosoma mansoni. Correlation with covalent drug binding to parasite macromolecules". Molecular Pharmacology. 24 (2): 291–9. PMID 6193406.
↑ Toxicology Data Network – Niridazole
↑ Katz N (November 1975). "Clinical evaluation of niridazole and hycanthone in schistosomiasis mansoni endemic areas". Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. 1 (2): 203–9. Bibcode:1975JTEHA...1..203K. doi:10.1080/15287397509529322. PMID 1107578.
↑ Barat R, Srinatha A, Pandit JK, Mittal N, Anupurba S (November 2007). "Ethylcellulose inserts of an orphan drug for periodontitis: preparation, in vitro, and clinical studies". Drug Delivery. 14 (8): 531–8. doi:10.1080/10717540701606517. PMID 18027183.
↑ Barat R, Srinatha A, Pandit JK, Ridhurkar D, Balasubramaniam J, Mittal N, Mishra DN (2006). "Niridazole biodegradable inserts for local long-term treatment of periodontitis: possible new life for an orphan drug". Drug Delivery. 13 (5): 365–73. doi:10.1080/10717540500398126. PMID 16877312. S2CID 31987972.

This antiinfective drug article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Tracy JW, Catto BA, Webster LT (September 1983). "Reductive metabolism of niridazole by adult Schistosoma mansoni. Correlation with covalent drug binding to parasite macromolecules". Molecular Pharmacology. 24 (2): 291–9. PMID 6193406.

[2] Toxicology Data Network – Niridazole

[3] Katz N (November 1975). "Clinical evaluation of niridazole and hycanthone in schistosomiasis mansoni endemic areas". Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. 1 (2): 203–9. Bibcode:1975JTEHA...1..203K. doi:10.1080/15287397509529322. PMID 1107578.

[4] Barat R, Srinatha A, Pandit JK, Mittal N, Anupurba S (November 2007). "Ethylcellulose inserts of an orphan drug for periodontitis: preparation, in vitro, and clinical studies". Drug Delivery. 14 (8): 531–8. doi:10.1080/10717540701606517. PMID 18027183.

[5] Barat R, Srinatha A, Pandit JK, Ridhurkar D, Balasubramaniam J, Mittal N, Mishra DN (2006). "Niridazole biodegradable inserts for local long-term treatment of periodontitis: possible new life for an orphan drug". Drug Delivery. 13 (5): 365–73. doi:10.1080/10717540500398126. PMID 16877312. S2CID 31987972.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]