Any woman can develop BV. Although sexually active women appear to be at higher risk, the exact causes are not yet completely understood.1
What is known is that certain activities can increase your risk of developing BV because they may alter the number of lactobacilli, the "good" bacteria that act as a natural defense against overgrowth of pathogens. In fact, women with BV may have 100 to 1000 times higher levels of "bad" bacteria such as G. vaginalis than women with normal, healthy vaginal flora. At the same time, women with BV also have much lower levels of lactobacilli than normal.1
What are the most common risk factors for BV?
The risk factors for bacterial vaginosis include:2
- A new sexual partner or multiple sexual partners
- Douching
- Use of an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Not using a condom during sex
Can I get BV by touching surfaces or objects around me?
No. BV is not transmitted through contact with things in your environment, such as toilet seats, bed linens, swimming pools, etc.2
Can having BV cause other health problems?
Yes. Once established in the vaginal environment, the bacteria that cause BV can travel along the linings of the reproductive tract. This can lead to other serious health complications.1
How is BV different from other vaginal infections?
BV is linked to an overgrowth of a group of organisms, including the common bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis. Other vaginal infections such as trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, and gonorrhea are each caused by a single, well-known organism. Another common vaginal infection, candidiasis (yeast infection), is usually caused by the fungus Candida albicans.3
The lower and upper mucosal linings of the genital tract are closely linked, creating a "pathway" for vaginal BV pathogens. This increases the possibility of upper reproductive tract infection (such as pelvic inflammatory disease) and serious complications of pregnancy.1
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.
Tindamax® is a prescription antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria and parasites. It is approved for treating trichomoniasis, also known as "trich," and bacterial vaginosis, or "BV" (in non-pregnant, adult women). It is also approved for treating giardiasis, also known as "giardia," amebiasis, and amebic liver abscess in patients age 3 and older.
Important Safety Information
Tindamax® is not for everyone. You should not take Tindamax® if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. If you are nursing, Tindamax® can pass through your breast milk, so you should not take it unless you stop breastfeeding during your prescription and for 3 days after your last dose.
Tindamax® can lead to a temporary reduction in your white blood cells, so if you have been diagnosed with a blood disorder, talk to your doctor before starting a prescription.
Do not take Tindamax® if you have a history of sensitivity to tinidazole or related drugs in the nitroimidazole family. Reactions can range from mild itching, hives, or fever to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which is a rare, life-threatening skin condition.
Certain drugs may interact with Tindamax®, so always tell your doctor about the medications you're taking before you start a prescription.
Take each dose of Tindamax® with food to lessen the risk of stomach upset and other GI side effects. Avoid any alcoholic beverages while taking Tindamax® and for 3 days afterward.
If you are undergoing hemodialysis while taking Tindamax® on the same day, consult your doctor for the appropriate dose of Tindamax®. An additional half-dose of Tindamax® at the end of dialysis may be recommended.
Antibacterial drugs, including Tindamax®, do not treat viral infections such as the common cold. When taking Tindamax® to treat a bacterial infection, it is very common to feel better early in your prescription; however, you should keep taking the medication as directed and for as long as directed by your doctor. Skipping doses or not taking all of your medication can make Tindamax® less effective. It can also allow the bacteria to build up resistance to the drug, so that it won't be treatable with Tindamax® or similar drugs in the future.
The most common side effects of Tindamax® are a metallic or bitter taste, nausea, weakness, fatigue, discomfort, indigestion, cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, and constipation.
Some patients taking Tindamax® may also develop a yeast infection, which can require treatment with an anti-fungal drug. Talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
Certain patients taking Tindamax® have experienced seizures or nerve problems, with symptoms such as numbness or tingling of the hands or feet. Other side effects included vertigo, unsteady movements, insomnia, or drowsiness. Stop taking Tindamax® if you develop any abnormal symptoms.
Tinidazole, the key ingredient in Tindamax®, is related to a drug called metronidazole, which has been linked to cancer in lab rats and mice that received the drug over long periods of time. Although these effects have not been reported for tinidazole, the two drugs are chemically related and have similar effects on the body. Therefore, Tindamax® should only be used to treat infections it has been approved to treat.
To report negative side effects, contact Mission Pharmacal Company at 1-800-298-1087 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- Sweet RL. Gynecologic conditions and bacterial vaginosis: implications for the non-pregnant patient. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2000;8(3-4):184-90.
- NIAID: bacterial vaginosis/transmission [Internet]. Bethesda: National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; c2008 [cited 2008 Jul 23]. Available from: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/bacterialVaginosis/transmission.htm.
- Beers MH, Berkow R, eds. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories;1999:1254-8.
