Entamoeba histolytica
Amebiasis is an infection caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
Like giardiasis, amebiasis begins with the ingestion of food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. The parasite passes through your stomach and small intestine and into the bowel. It can also pass from the bowel to your liver and cause an amebic liver abscess.1
You can become infected if you ingest something that has been contaminated with E. histolytica organisms.2 For example, you could get sick if you:
- Swallow food or water that contains E. histolytica parasites
- Put something in your mouth after touching a surface contaminated by feces from an infected person
Amebiasis risk factors
Certain people may be at a higher risk for getting amebiasis.3,4 These include:
- Travelers who recently visited tropical regions of the world
- Immigrants from areas where the disease is common
- Men who have sex with men
If you're concerned about the risk factors for amebiasis or you're suffering from any symptoms, talk to your doctor. He or she can determine whether you have the infection and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: POTENTIAL RISK FOR CARCINOGENICITY
Carcinogenicity has been seen in mice and rats treated chronically with metronidazole, another nitroimidazole agent. Although such data have not been reported for tinidazole, the two drugs are structurally related and have similar biologic effects. Its use should be reserved for the conditions described in INDICATIONS AND USAGE.
Tindamax® is a prescription antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria and parasites. It is approved for treating trichomoniasis, also known as "trich," and bacterial vaginosis, or "BV" (in non-pregnant, adult women). It is also approved for treating giardiasis, also known as "giardia," amebiasis, and amebic liver abscess in patients age 3 and older.
Important Safety Information
Tindamax® is not for everyone. You should not take Tindamax® if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. If you are nursing, Tindamax® can pass through your breast milk, so you should not take it unless you stop breastfeeding during your prescription and for 3 days after your last dose.
Tindamax® can lead to a temporary reduction in your white blood cells, so if you have been diagnosed with a blood disorder, talk to your doctor before starting a prescription.
Do not take Tindamax® if you have a history of sensitivity to tinidazole or related drugs in the nitroimidazole family. Reactions can range from mild itching, hives, or fever to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which is a rare, life-threatening skin condition.
Certain drugs may interact with Tindamax®, so always tell your doctor about the medications you're taking before you start a prescription.
Take each dose of Tindamax® with food to lessen the risk of stomach upset and other GI side effects. Avoid any alcoholic beverages while taking Tindamax® and for 3 days afterward.
If you are undergoing hemodialysis while taking Tindamax® on the same day, consult your doctor for the appropriate dose of Tindamax®. An additional half-dose of Tindamax® at the end of dialysis may be recommended.
Antibacterial drugs, including Tindamax®, do not treat viral infections such as the common cold. When taking Tindamax® to treat a bacterial infection, it is very common to feel better early in your prescription; however, you should keep taking the medication as directed and for as long as directed by your doctor. Skipping doses or not taking all of your medication can make Tindamax® less effective. It can also allow the bacteria to build up resistance to the drug, so that it won't be treatable with Tindamax® or similar drugs in the future.
The most common side effects of Tindamax® are a metallic or bitter taste, nausea, weakness, fatigue, discomfort, indigestion, cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, and constipation.
Some patients taking Tindamax® may also develop a yeast infection, which can require treatment with an anti-fungal drug. Talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
Certain patients taking Tindamax® have experienced seizures or nerve problems, with symptoms such as numbness or tingling of the hands or feet. Other side effects included vertigo, unsteady movements, insomnia, or drowsiness. Stop taking Tindamax® if you develop any abnormal symptoms.
Tinidazole, the key ingredient in Tindamax®, is related to a drug called metronidazole, which has been linked to cancer in lab rats and mice that received the drug over long periods of time. Although these effects have not been reported for tinidazole, the two drugs are chemically related and have similar effects on the body. Therefore, Tindamax® should only be used to treat infections it has been approved to treat.
To report negative side effects, contact Mission Pharmacal Company at 1-800-298-1087 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- Salles JM, Moraes LA, Salles MC. Hepatic amebiasis. Braz J Infect Dis. 2003 Apr;7(2):96-110. Epub 2003 Nov 19.
- Amebiasis [Internet]. CDC; 2004 Jan [accessed 2008 Jul 10]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/amebiasis/factsht_amebiasis.htm
- van Hal SJ, Stark DJ, Fotedar R, Marriott D, Ellis JT, Harkness JL. Amoebiasis: current status in Australia. Med J Aust. 2007 Apr 16;186(8):412-6.
- Amebiasis [Internet]. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia; 2006 Aug 15 [accessed 2008 Jul 15]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000298.htm
