Effect of nitazoxanide on diarrhea: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

•In cryptosporidiosis, the overall estimate favored nitazoxanide in its clinical response in comparison with placebo RR 1.46 [95% CI 1.22–1.74; P-value <0.0001].•Network meta-analysis among patients with Giardia intestinalis showed an increase in the probability of diarrheal cessation and parasitological responses in comparison with placebo, RR 1.69 [95% CI 1.08–2.64, P-score 0.27] and RR 2.91 [95% CI 1.72–4.91, P-score 0.55] respectively.•In Clostridium difficile infection, the network meta-analysis revealed a non-significantly superior clinical response effect of nitazoxanide to metronidazole 31 days after treatment RR 1.21 [95% CI 0.87–1.69, P-score 0.26].•In Entamoeba histolytica, overall estimate significantly favored nitazoxanide in parasitological response with placebo RR 1.80 [95% CI 1.35–2.40, P-value < 0.001].•To prove the superiority of NTZ during a Clostridium difficile infection may warrant a larger-scale clinical trial since its superiority was deemed insignificant.•Nitazoxanide is a suitable alternative for treating infectious diarrhea.