Tinidazole

Concurrent use of tinidazole and alcohol may produce a disulfiram-like reaction and should be avoided.

Drugs of similar chemical structure have been shown to potentiate the effects of oral anticoagulants. Prothrombin time should be closely monitored and adjustments to the dose of the anticoagulants should be made as necessary.

Because tinidazole is easily removed by haemodialysis, patients may require additional doses of tinidazole to compensate.

Fertility studies in rats receiving 100mg and 300mg tinidazole/kg had no effect on fertility, adult and pup weights, gestation, viability or lactation. There was a slight, not significant, increase in resorption rate at the 300mg/kg dose.

Tinidazole crosses the placental barrier. Since the effects of compounds of this class on foetal development are unknown, the use of tinidazole during the first trimester is contraindicated. There is no evidence that tinidazole is harmful during the latter stages of pregnancy, but its use during the second and third trimesters requires that the potential benefits be weighed against possible hazards to mother or foetus.

Tinidazole is excreted in breast milk. Tinidazole may continue to appear in breast milk for more than 72 hours after administration. Women should not nurse until at least 3 days after having discontinued taking tinidazole.

No special precautions should be necessary. However, drugs of similar chemical structure, including tinidazole, have been associated with various neurological disturbances such as dizziness, vertigo, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy (paraesthesia, sensory disturbances, hypoaesthesia) and rarely convulsions. If any abnormal neurological signs develop during tinidazole therapy, the drug should be discontinued.