Tinidazole

Tinidazole is an anti-parasitic drug used against protozoan infections. It is widely known throughout Europe and the developing world as a treatment for a variety of amoebic and parasitic infections. It was developed in 1972. A derivative of 2-methylimidazole, it is a prominent member of the nitroimidazole antibiotics.

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 (e.g., as part of combination therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication protocols).