Tinidazole tablets

What is this medicine?

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 tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tinidazole or metronidazole (Flagyl), or if you are in the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Tinidazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking tinidazole and for at least 3 days after your last dose.

You may begin nursing again 3 days after your last dose or tinidazole. If you use a breast pump during treatment, throw out any milk you collect while taking tinidazole. Do not feed it to your baby.

To make sure you can safely take tinidazole, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• a blood cell disorder such as anemia or low platelets; or

• a weak immune system.

FDA pregnancy category C. Do not take tinidazole during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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 individual risk.

How should I use this medicine?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take tinidazole with food.

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

Do not share this medication 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.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Tinidazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Do not drink alcohol while taking tinidazole and for at least 3 days after your treatment ends. 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 side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling; or

• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, indigestion;

• constipation, diarrhea, 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 occur.

What may interact with this medicine?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• any other antibiotic;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

• fluorouracil (Adrucil, Efudex, Carac, Flurorplex);

• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);

• St. John's wort;

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• an antidepressant such as nefazodone;

• antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton) and others;

• heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;

• HIV medication such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir); or

• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital (Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with tinidazole.