PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

What is in your medicine?

Fasigyn tablets are white and contain 500mg tinidazole. Each tablet also contains inactive ingredients, these are: alginic acid, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulphate and titanium dioxide.

What type of medicine is Fasigyn?

Fasigyn is an anti-infective agent.

What is your medicine for?

• Fasigyn is used to fight a variety of bacterial infections.
• It is used, in combination with other drugs, to treat the infection associated with stomach ulcers.
• It is used before certain surgical operations to prevent bacterial infections developing.
• It is used to treat protozoal infections.

Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can cause infection. There are different types of protozoal infections depending on the organism involved. This medicine is used to treat the following protozoal infections: amoebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis.

Before you take Fasigyn

Be sure to tell your doctor if -

• You have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients of Fasigyn or any similar drugs to tinidazole. This may have been itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing.
• You are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
• You are breast feeding.
• You have blood disease or a history of blood disease.
• You are currently taking anticoagulants (medication to prevent clotting of blood).
• You have central nervous system (CNS) disease, including epilepsy.

If any of the above applies to you Fasigyn may not be suitable for you to use. Your doctor will advise you.

How to take your medicine

• Take your tablets as your doctor told you and as written on the label on the pack.
• Take Fasigyn with a glass of water during or after a meal.
• The dose and length of treatment depends upon the infection being treated. The doses most commonly used for the different infections are shown below.

For treating the infection associated with stomach ulcers

• Adult The usual dose is 1 tablet (500mg) taken twice a day. Your doctor will probably prescribe two other medicines to be taken with Fasigyn. Treatment with the three medicines together will usually be for 1 week.

For treating most bacterial infections

• The usual dose is 4 tablets (2g) on the first day then 2 tablets (1g) once daily or 1 tablet (500mg) twice daily.
• The usual length of treatment is 5-6 days.
• It is best to take the tablets at the same time each day.

For treating bacterial vaginitis (a vaginal infection) and acute ulcerative gingivitis (a gum infection)

• The usual dose is 4 tablets (2g) given as a single dose.
• For vaginitis you may be given 4 tablets (2g) on two consecutive days.

For preventing bacterial infections after surgery

• Usually 4 tablets (2g) are given as a single dose about 12 hours before surgery.

For treating protozoal infections:-

For treating intestinal amoebiasis (an abdominal infection)

• Adult The usual dose is 4 tablets (2g) daily for 2-3 days.
• Child The usual dose is 50-60mg/kg of body weight daily for 3 days.

For treating amoebic involvement of the liver (a liver infection)

• Adult The usual dose is 3-4 tablets (1.5-2g) daily for 3-6 days.
• Child The usual dose is 50-60mg/kg of body weight daily for 5 days.

For treating giardiasis (an abdominal infection) and trichomoniasis (an infection of the sex organs in males and females)

• Adult The usual dose is 4 tablets (2g) given as a single dose.
• Child The usual dose is 50-75mg/kg of body weight given as a single dose.

If you are on dialysis, your doctor may prescribe a different dose.

It is recommended that you take Fasigyn with a glass of water during or after a meal.

Your doctor may repeat the dose once if the infection has not cleared up completely.

Does your medicine cause undesirable effects?

Fasigyn like most medicines may cause undesirable effects.

The following effects usually do not need medical attention. These may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following continue or are bothersome:

• nausea or vomiting
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• stomach pain or cramps
• furry tongue
• unpleasant metallic taste
• headache
• tiredness
• dark urine

The following effects are rare and you should check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following occurs:

• any form of rash.
• redness of the face and neck
• itching all over the body.
• sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing or tightness in the chest.
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips or tongue.
• dizziness or vertigo.
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet.
• clumsiness or unsteadiness.
• convulsions (seizures).
• fever or chills and painful ulceration in the mouth or rectum.
• inflammation of the mouth.

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you suffer any other undesirable effects which are not listed above.

Look after your medicine

This treatment is for YOU. Do not give it to others. It may not suit them.

Do not take this medicine after the date stamped on the pack.