Tinidazole

Tinidazole is an antibiotic that is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, like infections of the intestines or vagina. Tinidazole is also used to treat certain sexually transmitted infections.

Tinidazole is used to treat giardiasis or amebiasis in adults and children who are at least 3 years old.

Tinidazole may also be used for reasons other than those mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take with food.

Some infections are treated with only one dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

If you are treating a sexually transmitted infection, make sure your sexual partner seeks medical attention to be treated also.

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Tinidazole will not treat a viral infection (flu or a common cold).

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using tinidazole.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

In animal studies, a medicine similar to tinidazole caused cancer. Do not use tinidazole to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

You should not use tinidazole if you are allergic to tinidazole or metronidazole (Flagyl).

Do not use tinidazole to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Do not breastfeed within 72 hours after using tinidazole. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out the milk and do not feed it to your baby.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• a seizure;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• a blood cell disorder such as anemia or low platelets; or
• a weak immune system.

In animal studies, a medicine similar to tinidazole caused cancer. It is not known whether cancer would occur in humans using tinidazole.

It is not known if tinidazole will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may be harder for a man to get a woman pregnant after using this medicine.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blisters and peeling).

Tinidazole may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• numbness, burning pain, or tingling;
• a seizure; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

Common side effects of tinidazole may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, indigestion;
• constipation, stomach cramps;
• feeling weak or tired;
• headache, dizziness; or
• a metallic or bitter taste in your mouth;

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not drink alcohol while taking tinidazole and for at least 3 days after your treatment ends. You may experience unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, severe nausea, vomiting, sweating, and warmth or tingling under your skin.

Many products may contain alcohol, including mouthwash or cough and cold medicines. Check all labels to avoid possible alcohol in any products you consume.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking. Many drugs can affect tinidazole, especially:

• disulfiram (Antabuse, taken within the past 2 weeks);
• fluorouracil;
• lithium;
• seizure medicine--fosphenytoin, phenytoin; or
• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection--cyclosporine, tacrolimus.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may affect tinidazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.