Study of Nitazoxanide in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years. * Chronic hepatitis C infection (at least 6 months) evidenced by a positive enzyme immunoassay for anti-HCV-antibodies and a positive quantitative RT-PCR amplification of HCV RNA. * Chronic inflammation on liver biopsy compatible with a diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients unable to take oral medications. * Use of interferon alpha within 90 days or ribavirin within 30 days prior to enrollment. * Females of child bearing age who are either pregnant, breast-feeding or not using birth control and are sexually active. * Any investigational drug therapy within 30 days prior to enrollment. * Patients with other causes of liver disease. * Patients co-infected with hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus or hepatitis D virus based on enzyme immunoassay. * Patients with history of alcoholism or with an alcohol consumption of \>40 grams per day. * Patients who are clinically unstable. * Patients with any concomitant condition that, in the opinion of the investigator would preclude evaluation of response or make it unlikely that the contemplated course of therapy and follow-up could be completed. * History of hypersensitivity or intolerance to nitazoxanide or any of the excipients comprising the nitazoxanide tablets.