Updated: January 25, 2026

What Is Tinidazole? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Author

Peter Daggett

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What Is Tinidazole Used For?
What Drug Class Is Tinidazole?
Tinidazole Dosage: How Much Do You Take?
How Should I Take Tinidazole?
Is Tinidazole a Controlled Substance?
Finding Tinidazole at a Pharmacy Near You

Tinidazole (Tindamax) is an antibiotic used for trichomoniasis, giardiasis, amebiasis, and bacterial vaginosis. Here's what you need to know about uses, dosing, and more in 2026.

Tinidazole is a prescription antibiotic used to treat specific infections caused by bacteria and protozoa (single-celled parasites). It was FDA-approved in the United States in 2004 and is sold under the brand name Tindamax, though generic versions are widely available. This guide answers the most common questions patients have about tinidazole: what it treats, how it's dosed, how to take it, and what to expect.

What Is Tinidazole Used For?

Tinidazole has four FDA-approved indications in the United States:

Trichomoniasis: A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Tinidazole is highly effective as a single 2 gram dose and is sometimes preferred when metronidazole-resistant strains are suspected.

Giardiasis: Infection of the small intestine by the parasite Giardia lamblia (also called Giardia duodenalis). Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps. Tinidazole is approved for adults and children older than 3 years.

Amebiasis: Intestinal or extraintestinal infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica. This includes amebic colitis (intestinal infection causing bloody diarrhea) and amebic liver abscess. Tinidazole's shorter treatment course (3-5 days vs. 7-10 days for metronidazole) is an advantage for complex cases.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): An overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in the vagina, causing discharge, odor, and discomfort. Tinidazole can be taken as a 2 g single daily dose for 2 days, or 1 g daily for 5 days—offering a convenient, shorter course than some other BV treatments.

What Drug Class Is Tinidazole?

Tinidazole belongs to the nitroimidazole class of antibiotics. Other members of this class include metronidazole (Flagyl) and secnidazole (Solosec). Tinidazole is a second-generation nitroimidazole—it was developed after metronidazole and has a longer half-life (12-14 hours vs. 6-8 hours for metronidazole), which allows for less frequent dosing. Tinidazole works by damaging the DNA of susceptible bacteria and protozoa, preventing them from replicating.

Tinidazole Dosage: How Much Do You Take?

Tinidazole comes in 250 mg and 500 mg tablets. Most adult dosing uses the 500 mg tablet. The dose and duration depend on the condition being treated:

Trichomoniasis: 2 g (four 500 mg tablets) as a single dose with food. Sexual partners should be treated simultaneously.

Giardiasis (adults): 2 g single dose with food.

Giardiasis (children over 3 years): 50 mg/kg (up to 2 g) as a single dose.

Intestinal amebiasis (adults): 2 g daily for 3 days with food.

Extraintestinal (hepatic) amebiasis (adults): 2 g daily for 3-5 days with food.

Bacterial vaginosis (adults): 2 g once daily for 2 days, OR 1 g once daily for 5 days—both with food.

How Should I Take Tinidazole?

Key instructions for taking tinidazole safely and effectively:

Always take with food. This significantly reduces the risk of nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset.

No alcohol. Avoid all alcohol during treatment and for 3 full days after your last dose. This includes alcohol in medicines and certain foods.

Complete the full course. Even if you feel better after one dose, take all prescribed doses to prevent treatment failure and resistance.

For patients who can't swallow tablets: The 500 mg tablets can be crushed and mixed with artificial cherry syrup. The suspension is stable for 7 days at room temperature; shake before each use.

STI treatment: If taking tinidazole for trichomoniasis, your sexual partner(s) must also be treated at the same time to prevent reinfection.

Is Tinidazole a Controlled Substance?

No. Tinidazole is not a DEA-controlled substance and does not require special prescribing credentials. It is available only by prescription but can be written by any licensed prescriber—including primary care doctors, OB/GYNs, urgent care providers, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

Finding Tinidazole at a Pharmacy Near You

Tinidazole isn't always easy to find at every pharmacy due to its specialty antibiotic status. See our guide on how to find tinidazole in stock near you. You can also use medfinder to have pharmacies checked for you, with results sent by text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tinidazole (Tindamax) is FDA-approved to treat four conditions: trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted parasitic infection), giardiasis (a small intestinal parasite), amebiasis (intestinal and hepatic infection by Entamoeba histolytica), and bacterial vaginosis (an overgrowth of vaginal bacteria). It is approved for adults and children over 3 years for parasitic infections.

Always take tinidazole with food to minimize nausea. For most conditions, it's taken as a single 2 gram dose (four 500 mg tablets taken at once) or once daily for 2-5 days. Avoid all alcohol during treatment and for 3 days after your last dose. Complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve.

Tinidazole and metronidazole (Flagyl) are both nitroimidazole antibiotics that treat the same infections. Tinidazole has a longer half-life (12-14 hours vs. 6-8 hours), allowing for once-daily or single-dose treatment. Metronidazole is older, much less expensive, and available at virtually every pharmacy. Tinidazole may have fewer side effects and is sometimes preferred for resistant trichomoniasis.

Tinidazole is approved for use in children older than 3 years of age for giardiasis, intestinal amebiasis, and hepatic amebiasis. Dosing for children is 50 mg/kg (up to 2 g maximum) per dose. It is not approved for trichomoniasis in children. Always follow your pediatrician's dosing instructions.

Tinidazole has a plasma half-life of approximately 12-14 hours, meaning half the drug is eliminated roughly every 12-14 hours. It is primarily metabolized by the liver (via CYP3A4) and excreted in urine and feces. Most tinidazole is cleared from the body within 2-3 days after the last dose—which is why you must avoid alcohol for 3 full days after treatment.

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