Tinidazole (By mouth)

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using phenobarbital (Donnatal®), lithium (Eskalith®), cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), or tacrolimus (Prograf®). Tell your doctor if you use fluorouracil (5-FU®), rifampin (Rifadin®), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), cholestyramine (Questran®), oxytetracycline (Terak®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).
• Do not drink alcohol or use preparations that contain alcohol (eg; certain cold or cough medicines) or propylene glycol. Avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Wait at least three days after you stop using tinidazole before drinking fluids that contain alcohol.
• You should not use this medicine if you are using disulfiram (Antabuse®), or if you have used it within the past 2 weeks.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease, kidney disease, nerve disease (such as epilepsy), or a blood disorder.
• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• If you are using this medicine for a genital infection, make sure that your sexual partner also gets treated, even if he or she has no symptoms.
• Tinidazole may cause vaginal yeast infection. If this happens, you will need another type of medicine to treat the infection. Ask your doctor about this if you have any concerns.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, or painful urination.
• Fast or pounding heartbeat.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Seizures.
• Unexplained sore throat or fever.
• Vaginal swelling, itching, or discharge.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, or headache.
• Dry mouth, or metallic or bitter taste.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Tiredness or weakness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Brand Name(s)

Tindamax

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Taking this medicine with food will help you avoid having stomach discomfort or upset.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
• If you cannot swallow the tablet, it may be crushed in artificial cherry syrup. Shake this mixture well before drinking.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Introduction

Tinidazole (tye-NYE-da-zole)

Treats infections caused by protozoa (tiny, one-celled animals). Also treats vaginal infections caused by bacteria. This medicine belongs to a class of drugs called antibiotics.