Secnidazole is the first nitroimidazole to offer a 3 day antiprotozoal activity from one single dose. With its prolonged half life, Secnidazole offers an effective treatment and thus ensures improved patient compliance because of the short duration of treatment with excellent therapeutic efficacy.

Secnidazole exhibits activity against anaerobic protozoa Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Secnidazole is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. The maximum serum level is obtained after 3 hours following oral administration of 2 gm Secnidazole.

The plasma elimination half life is about 20 hours. The majority of Secnidazole is eliminated via urine (50% of the ingested dose is excreted within 120 hours).

-Intestinal Amoebiasis

-Hepatic Amoebiasis

-Urethritis and Vaginitis due to Trichomonas vaginalis

-Giardiasis

Secnidazole tablet should be administered orally. The dosage schedule of Secnidazole tablet is mentioned below:
Amoebiasis:
-Acute intestinal amoebiasis:
Adults: 2 gm single dose (2x1 gm tablet), taken preferably just before meal.
Children: 30 mg/kg single dose, taken preferably just before meal.

-Asymptomatic amoebiasis (minute & cystic form):
Adults: 2 gm once daily (2x1 gm tablet) for only 3 days, taken preferably just before meal.
Children: 30 mg/kg once daily for only 3 days, taken preferably just before meal.

Hepatic amoebiasis:
Adults: 1.50 gm/day, in a single or divided dose, just before meal for 5 days.
Children: 30 mg/kg/day, in a single or divided dose, just before mal for 5 days.

N.B.: Evacuation of pus must be performed simultaneously with Secnidazole treatment at the suppurative stage of hepatic amoebiasis.

Giardiasis:
Adults: 2 gm single dose (2x1 gm tablet), taken preferably just before meal.
Children: 35-50 mg/kg single dose, taken preferably just before meal.

Trichomoniasis:
Adults: 2 gm single dose (2x1 gm tablet), taken preferably just before meal.
Children: 30 mg/kg single dose, taken preferably just before meal.
The partner should also receive the same treatment concomitantly.

The clinical studies have shown that Secnidazole is characterized by very good tolerance and no serious adverse reactions have been reported to date.
The following side-effects may be observed with Secnidazole as with all nitroimidazole derivatives & are rarely serious
Most frequent side-effects: Gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, epigastric pain, metallic taste, glossitis, and stomatitis.
Occasional side-effects: Urticaria, moderate leukopenia which is reversible on treatment discontinuation.
Rare side-effects: Vertigo, ataxia and motor incoordination, paresthesia, and peripheral neuropathy.
With Secnidazole, gastrointestinal disorders e.g, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, etc. have been reported in very rare cases.

Secnidazole is contraindicated for those patients who are hypersensitive to imidazole derivatives. Patients should be advised not to take alcohol during treatment with Secnidazole (because of possibility of antabuse effect). Administration of Secnidazole should be avoided to patients with a history of blood dyscrasia.

Secnidazole may be prescribed in pregnancy after the first trimester. As with other similar drugs, Secnidazole should not be administered during the first trimester of pregnancy or during lactation because Secnidazole is found in placenta and breast milk.

Store in a cool dry place, protected from heat.

Secnizol DS tablet: Each box contains 3 blister strips of 2 tablets.