Secnidazole

Indications

Secnidazole is used for: Giardiasis, Amoebiasis, Trichomoniasis

Adult Dose

Oral Trichomoniasis; Amoebiasis; Giardiasis Adult: 2 g as a single dose. Severe invasive amoebiasis Adult: 1.5 g daily as single or in divided doses for 5 days.

Child Dose

Oral Trichomoniasis; Amoebiasis; Giardiasis Child: 30 mg/kg as a single dose. Severe invasive amoebiasis Child: 30 mg/kg daily for 5 days.

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity; pregnancy (1st trimester) and lactation.

Precautions

Avoid alcohol and disulfiram. Avoid in patients with history of blood disorders.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Concurrent disulfiram admin may cause psychotic reactions. Disulfiram-like reactions with alcohol. Cimetidine may prolong half-life. Potentially Fatal: May potentiate anticoagulant effect of warfarin and increase risk of haemorrhage.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Secnidazole : Nausea, gastralgia, change of taste, metallic taste, stomatitis, urticaria, rashes, leucopenia. Rarely vertigo, moderate neurological, digestive disturbances.

Mechanism of Action

Secnidazole is active against E histolytica, G lamblia, T vaginalis, Clostridium spp, B fragilis, Gardnerella spp. The drug enters the microorganisms by diffusion and is reduced intracellularly by low oxidation-reduction potential ferredoxin which then result in DNA damage.