TINIDAZOLE

Tinidazole is an anti-parasitic drug used against protozoan infections. It is widely known throughout Europe and the developing world as treatment for a variety of amoebic and parasitic infections. It was developed in 1972. Tinidazole is marketed by Mission Pharmacal under the brand name Tindamax, by Pfizer under the names Fasigyn and Simplotan, and in some Asian countries as Sporinex.

PHARMACOLOGY

It is chemically similar to metronidazole—a drug with some unpleasant side effects that is used in the United States as first-line therapy for amoebae. Tinidazole has similar side effects but has a shorter treatment course.

USES

A large body of clinical data exists to support use of tinidazole for infections from amoebae, giardia and trichomonas, just like metronidazole. Tinidazole may be a therapeutic alternative in the setting of metronidazole tolerance. Tinidazole may also be used to treat a variety of other bacterial infections, including Helicobacter pylori as part of 10 day sequential therapy (20 mg rabeprazole b.i.d. for 10 days, plus 1 gram amoxicillin b.i.d. for the first 5 days, followed by 500 mg clarithromycin b.i.d. and 500 mg tinidazole b.i.d. for the remaining 5 days).

SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effects reported with tinidazole are upset stomach, bitter taste, diarrhea and itchiness. Other side effects which occur are headache, physical fatigue, and dizziness. Anecdotally, people who have taken both metronidazole and tinidazole report toxicity is much the same except the side effects don't last as long with the latter. Drinking alcohol while taking tinidazole causes an unpleasant disulfiram-like reaction, which includes nausea, vomiting, headache, increased blood pressure, flushing and shortness of breath.

HALF-LIFE

Elimination half-life is 13.2 ± 1.4 hours. Plasma half-life is 12 to 14 hours.

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