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.
Contraindications
- Prior history of hypersensitivity to tinidazole or other nitroimidazole derivatives
- First trimester of pregnancy
- Nursing mothers, unless breast-feeding is interrupted during tinidazole therapy and for 3 days following the last dose
Warnings and Precautions
- Seizures and neuropathy have been reported. Discontinue Tindamax if abnormal neurologic signs develop
- Vaginal candidiasis may develop with Tindamax and require treatment with an antifungal agent
- Use Tindamax with caution in patients with blood dyscrasias. Tindamax may produce transient leukopenia and neutropenia
Adverse Reactions
Most common adverse reactions for a single 2 g dose of tinidazole (incidence >1%) are metallic/bitter taste, nausea, weakness/fatigue/malaise, dyspepsia/cramps/epigastric discomfort, vomiting, anorexia, headache, dizziness and constipation. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mission Pharmacal Company at 1-800-298-1087 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
This material is intended to provide basic information. Patients should discuss all medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment with their healthcare provider.
Please see full Prescribing Information
- 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
Only Tindamax® is approved to treat both bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis (TV).
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Oral vs vaginal cream therapy: Patient preference for oral dosing is demonstrated to be 84%. More»
Beyond BV
Tindamax® may be prescribed for other infections including:
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