What is a common treatment for giardiasis?

Metronidazole is considered a common treatment for giardiasis, which is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia. This medication works effectively by disrupting the DNA synthesis of the parasite, leading to its cell death. Metronidazole is typically favored because of its strong efficacy against Giardia, and it is often the first line of treatment recommended by healthcare professionals.

Other treatments like albendazole may also be used but are generally not the first choice for giardiasis. Praziquantel, on the other hand, is primarily used for treating infections caused by other parasites, such as schistosomes, and is not effective against Giardia. Chloroquine is an antimalarial medication and has no activity against Giardia.

The choice of metronidazole as the common treatment reflects clinical guidelines based on its established effectiveness, making it a standard medication for managing giardiasis.