Name:  Furazolidone

Synonyms:  3-(5-Nitrofurfurylideneamino)-2-oxazolidinone

Molecular Structure:  

Molecular Formula:  C₈H₇N₃O5

Molecular Weight:  225.16

CAS Number:  67-45-8

EINECS:  200-653-3

 

Furazolidone (FZD) is a synthetic nitrofuran derivative that is an antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent. Furazolidone occurs as a yellow odorless crystalline powder with a bitter aftertaste. Furazolidone is practically insoluble in water and alcohol.  Furazolidone is decomposed by alkali. Furazolidone should be protected by light because Furazolidone darkens on exposure to strong light and thus should be stored in light resistant containers.

Furazolidone is active against the protozoan Giardia lamblia (Giardia intestinalis) and against a range of bacteria in vitro including staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Vibrio cholerae. Furazolidone is bactericidal and appears to act by interfering with bacterial enzyme systems. Resistance is reported to be limited. Furazolidone is used in the treatment of giardiasis, trichomoniasis, cholera and other vibrio infections1. It has been suggested for other bacterial gastrointestinal infections but antibacterial therapy with Furazolidone is regarded as unnecessary in mild & self-limiting gastro-enteritis. However, Furazolidone has been reported to possess anti-Helicobacter activity and to have some ulcer-healing properties