TINIDAZOLE INFO SHEET

What Is It?
Tinidazole (or Fasigyn) is an anti-parasitic drug widely used throughout Europe and the Third World as treatment for a variety of amebic and parasitic infections. It is chemically similar to Flagyl — a drug with some unpleasant side effects that is used in the United States as first-line therapy for amebas. Tinidazole has similar side effects but you don't have take it as long.

What Does It Do?
Tinidazole is approved in many countries. A large body of clinical data exists to support its use as a treatment for amebas, giardia and vaginal trichomona, just like Flagyl. So if you can't tolerate or just don't want to to take Flagyl, you might consider discussing tinidazole with your physician.

Side Effects and Toxicity
The most common toxicities reported with tinidazole are stomach upset, bitter taste, and itchiness. Other toxicities which occur are headache, fatigue, and dizziness. But these studies weren't performed in people with AIDS. Anecdotally, people who have taken both Flagyl and tinidazole report toxicity is much the same except the side effects don't last as long. Note: drinking alcohol while taking tinidazole will make you violently ill.

Dosing
The dose of tinidazole varies depending on what you are using it for. Note: these are standard doses, and not from studies with PWAs. Doctors may prescribe longer doses for PWAs (eg., 3 days for giardia and 5 days for amebas). For GIARDIA: the dose of tinidazole is 2 grams (4 pills) for one day. For Vaginal Trichomona: according to the doctors we've consulted, the dose is the same as for giardia, but check with your doctor. For AMEBAS: the standard dose is 2 grams (4 pills) for three to five days. For a severe case of amebas, doctors have extended treatment to 9 days at the same dosage. Note: tinidazole and Flagyl can't kill ameba larva that hide in cysts, and if you don't kill these, your amebas will come right back. Follow tinidazole or Flagyl with either iodoquinol, 650 mg 3 times a day for twenty days, or paromomycin (Humatin) 500 mg 3 times a day for seven days. Both drugs are available at a regular pharmacy with a doctor's prescription.

The Brand We Carry
Tinidazole is made by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Fasigyn. It comes in boxes of 8 x 500 mg tablets.

If Tinidazole's So Good, Why Isn't It Approved Here?
Apparently, drug company, Pfizer, doesn't believe the market (and potential profit) is big enough to justify the expense of going through the approval process in the US.

How Can You Get Tinidazole?
The PWA Health Group can help you import tinidazole from Mexico. To order it from us, you must have your doctor write a prescription.

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last modified: 1/27/99