Tindamax

Tinidazole is used to treat certain types of vaginal infections (bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis). It is also used to treat certain types of parasite infections (giardiasis, amebiasis). It belongs to a class of antibiotics known as nitroimidazoles. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria and protozoa. This medication only treats bacterial and protozoal infections. It will not work for virus infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

To prevent stomach upset, take this medication with food as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may direct you to take a single dose or take it once daily for 2 to 5 days. Dosage is based on your medical condition, the type of infection being treated, and your response to treatment. In children, the dose is also based on weight. Most adults will need to take more than 1 tablet for each dose. Follow the doctor's directions closely. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, the tablets may be crushed and mixed in food, or your pharmacist can make a suspension in syrup. If your pharmacist has prepared a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose. Tinidazole works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. If you are taking this drug for more than one day, take it at the same time each day. Certain medications may decrease the absorption of tinidazole. If you are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, wait at least 2 hours after your tinidazole dose before taking either of these products. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a short time. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

See also How to Use section. Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. The following medication should not be used while taking this drug or for 2 weeks after your last dose because a very serious interaction may occur: disulfiram. If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting tinidazole. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), cyclosporine, fluorouracil, lithium, oxytetracycline, tacrolimus, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove tinidazole from your body (e.g., cimetidine, certain anti-seizure medicines such as carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, azole antifungals such as ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotic such as erythromycin, rifamycins such as rifampin, St. John's wort). This drug may affect the results of certain laboratory tests (e.g., liver enzymes, triglycerides). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. If you are being treated for a certain infection (trichomoniasis), all sexual partners may also need treatment to avoid re-infection. During treatment, avoid sexual intercourse, or always use latex or polyurethane condoms. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be needed in that case. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function tests, blood counts) may be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before taking tinidazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to metronidazole; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood problems (e.g., low white blood cells), brain or nervous system disorders (e.g., neuropathy, seizures), untreated fungal/yeast infection, kidney dialysis, liver disease. While taking this medication and for at least 3 days after your last dose, do not drink alcoholic beverages or take products that contain alcohol/propylene glycol. Doing so may cause severe stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and flushing. Consult your pharmacist for further information. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Tinidazole must not be used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. During the last 6 months of pregnancy, tinidazole should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug and for at least 3 days after finishing this medicine. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature at 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from heat, light, and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Discard any unused liquid suspension after 7 days. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Bitter/metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, stomach cramps/pain, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This drug may cause your tongue or urine to darken. This is harmless. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe dizziness/feeling of spinning (vertigo), unsteadiness. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, numbness/tingling in arms/legs, signs of a new infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), seizures. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Tinidazole should not be used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It may harm the unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits and other treatment options with your doctor.