What is tinidazole?
Tinidazole is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.
Tinidazole is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as infection of the
intestines or vagina. It is also used to treat certain sexually transmitted infections.
Tinidazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tinidazole?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tinidazole, or:
-
if you are in the first 3 months of pregnancy;
-
if you are breast-feeding a baby (you should stop
breast-feeding during treatment with tinidazole); or
-
if you are allergic to metronidazole (Flagyl).
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
a blood cell disorder such as anemia; or
-
a weak immune system.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
tinidazole, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Tinidazole
should not be taken during the first three months of pregnancy.
Tinidazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
If you
are breast-feeding, you will need to stop while you are taking tinidazole and for at least 3
days after finishing the medicine.
Throw away any breast milk you have pumped
while using tinidazole, and do not feed this milk to your baby.
A medicine similar to tinidazole has caused cancer in laboratory animals. It is not known
if tinidazole would have the same effect in animals, or in humans. Talk with your doctor about
your specific cancer risk.
How should I take tinidazole?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Take tinidazole with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Take this medication with food.
Some infections are treated with only one dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not give this medication to 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.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tinidazole will not treat a
viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Store tinidazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of tinidazole?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about tinidazole?
Your pharmacist has information about tinidazole written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of tinidazole?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
seizures;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling; or
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
-
vaginal yeast infection (itching, white discharge);
-
an unpleasant metallic taste in your mouth;
-
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, indigestion;
-
constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps;
-
dark-colored urine;
-
headache, dizziness;
-
muscle or joint pain;
-
dry mouth, thirst, change in the color of your tongue;
-
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
-
minor skin rash or itching.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about tinidazole?
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tinidazole will not treat a
viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not drink alcohol
while taking tinidazole and for at least 3 days
after finishing the medication. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats,
severe nausea, vomiting, sweating, and warmth or tingling under your skin.
A medicine similar to tinidazole has caused cancer in laboratory animals. It is not known
if tinidazole would have the same effect in animals, or in humans. Talk with your doctor about
your specific cancer risk.
What should I avoid while taking tinidazole?
Do not drink alcohol
while taking tinidazole and for 3 days after
finishing the medication. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, severe
nausea, vomiting, sweating, and warmth or tingling under your skin.
Check the label of the products and other medicines you use, such as mouthwash or cough
and cold medicines. Alcohol in these products can also cause a reaction if you use them while
taking tinidazole.
What other drugs will affect tinidazole?
If you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), you may need a dose
adjustment or special tests while you are taking tinidazole, and for up to 8 days after you stop
taking it.
Before taking tinidazole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) or tacrolimus
(Prograf);
-
dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);
-
fluorouracil (Adrucil, Efudex, Carac, Flurorplex);
-
griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin);
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, and others);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
-
St. John's wort;
-
antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin
(Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin),
itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
HIV medication such as nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine
(Rescriptor), or efavirenz (Sustiva); or
-
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol,
Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
tinidazole, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect tinidazole. Tell your doctor about all
the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of tinidazole?
