Tinidazole Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 9, 2024.

Applies to tinidazole: oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet)

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.

Limit use of tinidazole to approved indication only.

Avoid chronic use.

Common side effects of tinidazole

Some side effects of tinidazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• bitter taste
• metallic taste

Less common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• cramps
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• dizziness
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• heartburn
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
• vomiting
• weight loss

Rare side effects

• body aches or pain
• coating on tongue
• depression
• hoarseness
• mood or mental changes
• runny nose
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• voice changes

Incidence not known

• darkened urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty in moving
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• giddiness
• lightheadedness
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain, swelling, or redness in joints
• sensation of spinning
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• sleepiness
• swelling of the mouth
• tongue discoloration
• trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• white or brownish vaginal discharge
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue

Serious side effects of tinidazole

Along with its needed effects, tinidazole may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking tinidazole:

Rare side effects

• chest tightness
• change in consciousness
• cough
• loss of consciousness
• trouble breathing

Incidence not known

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in urine or stools
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• chest pain
• chills
• difficulty swallowing
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• hives, itching, rash
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• reddening of the skin, especially around ears
• seizures
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swelling of eyes, face, or inside of the nose
• swollen glands
• ulcers
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

For healthcare professionals

Applies to tinidazole: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General adverse events

Reported side effects were typically mild, infrequent, and self-limiting. Gastrointestinal side effects were reported most often.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dyspepsia/cramps/epigastric discomfort, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Furry tongue
• Frequency not reported: Tongue discoloration, stomatitis, dryness of mouth, salivation, oral candidiasis, glossitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Metallic/bitter taste, headache, dizziness, vertigo
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Coma
• Frequency not reported: Convulsions, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, giddiness, drowsiness, burning sensation, paresthesia, hypoesthesia/numbness, sensory disturbances, dysgeusia, taste change^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Weakness/fatigue/malaise
• Frequency not reported: Flushing, fever/pyrexia, thirst, Candida overgrowth, fatigue, malaise^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic dermatitis, pruritus
• Frequency not reported: Urticaria, rash, sweating, angioedema, fixed drug eruption^[Ref]

In a study involving 450 patients with fixed drug eruptions, 8 patients were found to have this oral drug as the probable causative agent. The fixed drug eruptions varied as to duration, shape and size, symptoms, number of lesions, and body site(s) affected. The study did not break these factors down for each individual causative agent.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, decreased appetite

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, dysuria/painful urination, urine abnormality, pelvic pain, vulvovaginal discomfort, vaginal odor, menorrhagia
• Frequency not reported: Darkened urine/chromaturia, increased vaginal discharge, female genital pruritus, Candida vaginitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bronchospasm, dyspnea, pharyngitis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Confusion, depression
• Frequency not reported: Insomnia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Reversible thrombocytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Neutropenia, leukopenia, increased eosinophil count, decreased hemoglobin^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Drug hypersensitivity
• Postmarketing reports: Severe acute hypersensitivity reactions, hypersensitivity reactions (included urticaria, pruritus, rash, flushing, sweating, dryness of mouth, fever, burning sensation, thirst, salivation, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme)^[Ref]

Severe acute hypersensitivity reactions have been reported during initial or subsequent exposure to this drug.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Hepatic abnormalities (included raised transaminase level), increased AST, increased blood bilirubin^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Increased blood urea^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Palpitations^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Arthralgias, myalgias, arthritis^[Ref]

Further information

Tinidazole side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer