Alinia: When & Why in Lyme Disease Treatment

Updated: 3/29/23

Alinia in Lyme Disease Treatment

Alinia (nitazoxanide) is a prescription medication designed and approved to treat various kinds of intestinal parasites. Some physicians who treat Lyme use it for additional reasons. In this article, I review Alinia based on research and my clinical experience.

Marty Ross MD Discusses Alinia

This video was recorded during Conversations with Marty Ross MD on 4/4/19.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2:09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alinia Claims in Lyme Disease

Some claim Alinia

• kills Lyme,
• kills Babesia,
• eliminates intestinal parasites, and
• removes Lyme biofilms.

However, the research supporting the Lyme and Babesia claims is limited or does not exist.

What Alinia Research Says

A review of research shows Alinia can kill various types of intestinal parasites. There is a study showing it can decrease biofilms in staph germs. There is some science showing it can treat some acute virus infections.

There is only one published experiment with a mention of Alinia in Lyme treatment. There are no published experiments on Alinia for Babesia or Lyme biofilms.

The one published Lyme study is a laboratory experiment where Alinia is shown in combination with two other medicines to help with persisters. Based on this one experiment, it is not clear if Alinia on its own works for Lyme. Because Alinia was used in combination in the one experiment, it is possible the other meds in the combination did all of the good work. Therefore, based on my review of the research, there are no studies supporting Alinia as an effective Lyme disease or coinfection treatment.

My Experience

Because Lyme disease research is often very limited or does not exist in certain areas, sometimes we have to look at the experience of Lyme-literate medical doctors, also called LLMDs. Here is my experience from my Seattle practice.

Intestinal Parasites

Alinia works as a very effective intestinal parasite treatment. For more information about when and how to treat parasites in Lyme, see When & How to Treat Parasites in Lyme Disease.

Lyme Germ (Borrelia)

Alinia may help kill the Lyme germ (Borrelia), although it usually does not work that well. Furthermore, because of its cost (around $1,500/month in the U.S.), I think it should be tried as a treatment of last resort. For more information about antibiotics that work well to treat Lyme, see A Lyme Disease Antibiotic Guide.

Babesia

Alinia is not an effective Babesia medication. For better Babesia treatments, see Kills Babesia: A Brief Guide.

Lyme Biofilms

Alinia may or may not remove biofilms, but there are many more effective and less costly medicines to try for this problem. For the best biofilm strategies, see Biofilms: Lyme Disease Gated Communities.

Disclaimer

The ideas and recommendations on this website and in this article are for informational purposes only. For more information about this, see the sitewide Terms & Conditions.