MSI_000015168

Furazolidone is a nitrofuran derivative with antiprotozoal and antibacterial activity. Furazolidone has been shown to exhibit antibiotic and anti-microbial functions (PMID 1476092, 6651278). Furazolidone is also used as a poultry food additive. It is marketed by Roberts Laboratories under the brand name Furoxone and by GlaxoSmithKline as Dependal-M. Furoxone has a broad antibacterial spectrum covering the majority of gastrointestinal tract pathogens including E. coli, staphylococci, Salmonella, Shigella, Proteus, Aerobacter aerogenes, Vibrio cholerae and Giardia lamblia. Its bactericidal activity is based upon its interference with DNA replication and protein production. Furazolidone binds bacterial DNA which leads to the gradual inhibition of monoamine oxidase (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p514). Furazolidone and its related free radical products are believed to bind DNA and induce cross-links. Bacterial DNA is particularly susceptible to this drug leading to high levels of mutations (transitions and transversions) in the bacterial chromosome. Furazolidone belongs to the family of Nitrofurans. These are compounds containing a furan ring which bears a nitro group. G - Genito urinary system and sex hormones > G01 - Gynecological antiinfectives and antiseptics > G01A - Antiinfectives and antiseptics, excl. combinations with corticosteroids D000890 - Anti-Infective Agents > D000977 - Antiparasitic Agents > D000981 - Antiprotozoal Agents D004791 - Enzyme Inhibitors > D008996 - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors D000890 - Anti-Infective Agents > D023303 - Oxazolidinones C254 - Anti-Infective Agent Poultry food additive