TINIDAZOLE oral

Therapeutic action

• Antiprotozoal, antibacterial (group of nitroimidazoles)

Indications

• Amoebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis
• Bacterial vaginitis, infections due to anaerobic bacteria (e.g. Clostridium sp, Bacteroides sp)

Forms and strengths

• 500 mg tablet

Dosage and duration

Amoebiasis

• Child: 50 mg/kg once daily (max. 2 g daily)
• Adult: 2 g once daily

The treatment lasts 3 days in intestinal amoebiasis; 5 days in hepatic amoebiasis.

Giardiasis, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginitis

• Child: 50 mg/kg single dose (max. 2 g)
• Adult: 2 g single dose

In the event of trichomoniasis, also treat sexual partner.

Infections due to anaerobic bacteria

• Child over 12 years and adult: 2 g on D1 then 1 g once daily or 500 mg 2 times daily

According to indication, tinidazole may be used in combination with other antibacterials; treatment duration depends on indication.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with allergy to tinidazole or another nitroimidazole (metronidazole, secnidazole, etc.).
• May cause: gastrointestinal disturbances; rarely: allergic reactions, brownish urine, headache, dizziness. Risk of antabuse reaction when combined with alcohol.
• Administer with caution in patients taking oral anticoagulants (risk of haemorrhage), lithium, phenytoin (increased plasma concentrations of these drugs).
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication; divide into smaller doses, avoid prolonged use.
• Breast-feeding: significantly excreted in milk (risk of gastrointestinal disturbances in breastfed infants); divide into smaller doses, avoid prolonged use.

Storage