Vaginal infections are of several types; these ailments include conditions such as trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, etc. Of these, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted condition. It is more likely to affect women and especially, aged women. This condition does not show up through any characteristic sign or symptom; however, if left untreated, it can cause more other conditions such as HIV AIDS, etc. On the other hand, the onset of bacterial vaginosis is due to an imbalance of bacteria present in your vaginal region. Drugs such as tinidazole are commonly prescribed to treat these infectious conditions. But, what are the likely side effects this drug may cause? It helps to know more.
Your vagina has a bacterial strand known as lactobacillus; this keeps your vaginal tract mildly acidic. A balanced presence of this strand prevents harmful bacteria from entering into your vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is a condition wherein harmful strands find their way into your vagina. Women who have female sexual partners are more likely to get bacterial vaginosis. Also, having multiple partners or engaging in oral / anal sex, etc. may also enhance the risks.
Trichomoniasis is another medical condition; it is known as trich in short. It is caused by a parasitical strand called Trichomonas vaginalis. Engaging in a sexual act with a person who already has trichomoniasis is often a leading cause for its onset. Men may also get this condition in their prostrate and urethral tract. In some rare instances, trich has been observed on mouth, hands as well as anal regions. Tinidazole belongs to the family of drugs known as antibiotics. It is widely administered to treat a range of infectious conditions such as trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, etc.
Safe use of tinidazole
Apart from the aforesaid infections, this drug is also taken for conditions such as amebiasis, giardiasis, etc. Of these infections, amebiasis is quite common among people living in developing regions wherein sanitary conditions are not well developed. Key ingredients of this drug help stop the multiplication of parasites as well as microbes – especially, a few bacterial strands. You must however not use this antibiotic for treating viral conditions. So, if an infection shows up in the form of flu or common cold accompanied by a runny nose, it is more likely to be a viral infection. Intake of tinidazole in such cases may yield minimal or no results. Moreover, use of this drug for fungal or viral diseases may make your system turn highly resistant to its active chemicals.
Common side effects of tinidazole
Antibiotic med tinidazole may cause some unintended side effects and associated discomforts. Users have frequently reported of side effects such as dyspepsia (marked by discharge of watery or loose stools), other abdominal discomforts like nausea, vomiting, etc. and also discoloration of urine. Your taste buds may experience a different sense of taste; a few users have complained sensing a metallic or a bitter type of taste in the mouth. These side effects may disappear once you continue with your medication plan. Those who continue to experience these discomforts for a longer span are advised to consult with their treating physician without much delay.
Tinidazole is also likely to trigger some very adverse side effects. These include a numbing sensation, epileptic fits or seizures, early signs of infections (like sore throat, fever, shakes and tremors). If you are experiencing one or more of these adverse side effects, reach out to your caregiving team on an urgent mode. In this light, those who have prior hepatic conditions such as swelling or cirrhosis must take added precautions. Liver problems may show up as loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or eyes, itchiness and discharge of discolored urine. It is important to keep away from alcoholic drinks as well as from cold or cough meds (which may also contain a sizable share of alcohol in them). Mixing alcohol with tinidazole can lead to migraines, vomiting as well as cramps. In most cases, users also experienced severe spells of nausea and drowsiness.
Another common side effect of tinidazole is dizziness. Owing to this, you are advised not to engage in sporting action or perform activities that demand higher level of focus and mental concentration such as driving, working on heavy machinery, etc. You need to know that your doctor has prescribed this drug as the merits of its use outweigh the risks of side effects. If you are experiencing bruises or internal bleeding, talk to your caregiving team on a top priority basis.
Side effects such as yeast formation or thrushes may show up if you are using this med for long. These conditions can be detected through their characteristic signs such as white colored patches on oral parts, discharge of a thick fluid from the vaginal tract, etc. Such side effects i.e., thrushes or fungal growth are more likely among those who use this drug for a fairly long span of time. Tinidazole is unlikely to cause allergies in users; however, in some stray cases, allergic reactions in the form of skin conditions such as hives, rashes on skin or as inflammation of oral organs like tongue, gums and lips may show up. If you are experiencing a slowdown of breathing cycles or a loss of coordination, fainting / passing out, take needful clinical support as swiftly as possible.
It is important to remember that the aforesaid list of side effects do not form a complete listing. Hence, it is possible to witness a few unlisted or unknown side effects. Upon sensing any such unknown side effects: for those living in the US – it is highly recommended to reach out to the emergency helpline of the food and drug administration (FDA) or dial 911 on an urgent mode. On the other hand, people living in any of the Canadian regions need to contact Health Canada as quickly as they possibly can.
In sum, tinidazole is likely to trigger a few unintended discomforts and some adverse side effects. Common discomforts include discharge of watery or loose stools, nausea, discoloration of urine and a change in sense of taste. Most of these adverse side effects go off as the medication plan is pursued. But, if they stay on and show up for long, take needful medical help without much delay. For detailed inputs on other likely side effects of this drug, it is a good practice to talk to your caregiver and /or pharmacist.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.
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