Description
Secnidazole is used to treat vaginal infection (vaginosis) caused by bacteria in adult women and trichomoniasis (an infection of the sex organs in men or women caused by protozoa).
Secnidazole belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Granule
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of secnidazole in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of secnidazole in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Capecitabine
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Disulfiram
- Doxifluridine
- Fluorouracil
- Methotrexate
- Tegafur
- Warfarin
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Ethanol
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Cockayne syndrome (genetic disorder)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Sprinkle the granules on soft food (eg, applesauce, yogurt, pudding). Swallow the mixture within 30 minutes without chewing or crunching the granules. You may drink a glass of water to help you swallow. Do not dissolve the granules in any liquid.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
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.
Do not drink alcohol during treatment and for at least 2 days after the last dose.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (granules):
- For vaginal infection caused by bacteria and trichomoniasis:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 grams (1 packet) one time.
- Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For vaginal infection caused by bacteria and trichomoniasis:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may cause a vaginal yeast infection. Check with your doctor right away if you have itching of the vagina or genitals or thick, white vaginal discharge with mild or no odor.
If you are taking this medicine for trichomoniasis, your doctor may want to treat your sexual partner at the same time you are being treated, even if he or she has no symptoms. Also, you should avoid having sexual intercourse until treated. These measures will help keep you from getting the infection back again from your partner. If you have any questions about this, talk with your doctor.
This medicine may increase your risk for cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Itching of the vagina or genitals
- thick, white vaginal discharge with mild or no odor
Less common
- Pain in the vagina or genital area
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Change in taste
- diarrhea
- headache
- loss of taste
- nausea
- stomach pain
- vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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