Tinidazole is an antibiotic that is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as infection of the intestines or vagina. Tinidazole is also used to treat certain sexually transmitted infections.

Tinidazole is used to treat giardiasis or amebiasis in adults and children at least 3 years old.

Tinidazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

In animal studies, a medicine similar to tinidazole caused cancer. Do not use tinidazole to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Tinidazole comes as a suspension (liquid) prepared by the pharmacist and a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food as a single dose or once a day for 2 to 5 days. To help you remember to take tinidazole (if you are to take it for more than one day), take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tinidazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Take tinidazole until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking tinidazole too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely cured and bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take with food.

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

Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Do not share this medicine 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.

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Tinidazole will not treat a viral infection (flu or a common cold).

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using tinidazole.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use tinidazole if you are allergic to tinidazole or metronidazole (Flagyl).

Do not use tinidazole to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Do not breastfeed within 72 hours after using tinidazole. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out the milk and do not feed it to your baby.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

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

• a seizure

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

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

• a weak immune system.

In animal studies, a medicine similar to tinidazole caused cancer. It is not known whether cancer would occur in humans using tinidazole.

It is not known if tinidazole will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may be harder for a man to get a woman pregnant after using this medicine.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Protect the medication from light. Discard any remaining liquid after 7 days.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

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.

Many products may contain alcohol, including mouthwash or cough and cold medicines. Check all label to avoid possible alcohol contained in any products you consume.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Tinidazole may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling;

• a seizure; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

Common side effects of tinidazole may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, indigestion;

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

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect tinidazole, especially:

• disulfiram (Antabuse, taken within the past 2 weeks);

• fluorouracil;

• lithium;

• seizure medicine--fosphenytoin, phenytoin; or

• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection--cyclosporine, tacrolimus.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect tinidazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to tinidazole. Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking tinidazole.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the tinidazole, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.