Trichomoniasis — often called "trich" — is the most common, curable STD in young, sexually active women. The infection is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis, and it is spread through sexual intercourse or genital contact.
While it may be less well known, the trichomoniasis is more common than both Chlamydia and gonnorhea. In fact, each year, there are an estimated 7.4 million new cases of trichomoniasis in the United States, compared with 3 million cases of Chlamydia and 718,000 cases of gonorrhea.1
Anyone can get trichomoniasis. However, in the United States, it is diagnosed more frequently among women than among men. It is also significantly more common among non-Hispanic black women than among women of other races.
According to a 2007 study by CDC researchers, approximately 3.1% of women aged 14 to 49 are infected with T. vaginalis at any given time.2 The same study found that non-Hispanic black women were much more likely to have trichomoniasis than non-Hispanic white or Mexican American women (13.3% vs. 1.3% and 1.8%, respectively.)2
Prevalence of trichomoniasis in women aged 14-49 years2
Other studies have found trichomoniasis in 4.8% of female college students and 18.5% of women at a teen health center and emergency department.3,4
- Learn more about trichomoniasis:
- Cause and Risk Factors»
- Signs and Symptoms»
- Tests and Diagnosis»
- Treatment of Giardiasis»
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
- Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W Jr. "Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000." Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2004 Jan-Feb; 36(1): 6-10. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2004 Jan-Feb;36(1):6-10.
- Sutton M, Sternberg M, Koumans EH, McQuillan G, Berman S, Markowitz L. The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among reproductive-age women in the United States, 2001-2004. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Nov 15;45(10):1319-26. Epub 2007 Oct 15.
- Thornton AC, Dale T, Fortenberry D, Logan TK. Occurrence of trichomoniasis in college women [abstract]. Abstracts of the 15th ISSTDR 2003; July 27-30; Ottawa, Canada.
- Huppert JS, Mortensen JE, Reed JL, Kahn JA, Rich KD, Miller WC, Hobbs MM. Rapid antigen testing compares favorably with transcription-mediated amplification assay for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in young women. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jul 15;45(2):194-8. Epub 2007 Jun 6.
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For Health Professionals
Only Tindamax® is approved to treat both bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis (TV).
Clinical Insight
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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