Solosec (Secnidazole) – Oral

What Is Solosec?

Solosec (secnidazole) is a single-dose oral medication used to treat vaginal infections. It also treats a specific type of bacterial infection (trichomoniasis) passed through having sex. Secnidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. It works by entering the bacterial cells and stopping their growth.

Solosec is available as a 2-gram single-dose oral packet and may contain polyethylene glycol.

What Is Solosec Used For?

Solosec (secnidazole) is used to treat vaginal infections (bacteria vaginosis) in people aged 12 years and older.

It also treats trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). To lower the chance of reinfection, your healthcare provider may treat you and your partner with Solosec at the same time.

How to Take Solosec

Solosec is a single-dose treatment. It comes in a packet of oral granules To take it, sprinkle the entire contents of one packet onto yogurt, pudding, or applesauce and consume it within 30 minutes of preparation. To help with swallowing, you may drink some water after taking this medicine. However, do not mix it with any liquid as the granules will not dissolve. Also, do not chew the granules.

Avoid using products containing alcohol while on this drug and for two days after stopping it. Taking Solosec with alcohol may cause harmful reactions and side effects like nausea, throwing up, stomach pain, headache, and dizziness.

Storage

Store secnidazole at room temperature (68–77 degrees F) in a dry place. For short periods, you may store it between cool and mildly hot temperatures (59–86 degrees). Do not store it in your bathroom.

Keep all your medicines away from children and pets. Discard any unused and expired drugs. Ask your healthcare provider about the best ways to dispose of your medicine. Look for drug take-back programs in your area.

What Are the Side Effects of Solosec?

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.

Common Side Effects

Solosec may cause little to no side effects in some people. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if your side effects do not go away or if they become bothersome. Common side effects include:

• Vulvovaginal candidiasis
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Change in taste (dysgeusia)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Vulvovaginal pruritus (itchiness)

Severe Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have any severe side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms appear to be life-threatening. Serious side effects of Solosec include vaginal discharge and allergic reactions, which can include signs such as a rash, wheezing, hives, swollen or peeling, or swelling of the face, tongue, mouth, lips, or throat.

Dosage: How Much Solosec Should I Take?

Modifications

Secnidazole may lower the effect of sodium picosulfate, a type of stimulant laxative used to cleanse your bowel before a colonoscopy. Your healthcare provider may order a different bowel preparation drug if you are actively taking an antibiotic like secnidazole or be advised to take your secnidazole dose two hours before or six hours after bowel preparation.

Solosec may also lower the effect of the typhoid vaccine. Avoid getting a live vaccine while on this drug. You should delay vaccination until three days after stopping your antibiotics. Also, do not start antibiotics within three days of the last vaccine dose.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine and for 96 hours after administration.

Missed Dose

Since only one dose is needed, take your missed dose as soon as you remember.

Overdose: What Happens If I Use Too Much Solosec?

Call your healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center immediately if you think someone else may have accidentally swallowed or overdosed on Solosec.

Call 911 immediately if someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking secnidazole.

Precautions

What Are Reasons I Shouldn't Take Solosec?

Avoid this drug if you are hypersensitive to secnidazole, other nitroimidazole products, or any part of its formulation. This medication should also be avoided in people with Cockayne syndrome, a rare condition marked by irregular head size.

What Medications Interact With Solosec?

Taking Solosec with some drugs can lead to increased side effects associated with either drug. Do not take secnidazole with:

• Alcohol 
• Oral contraceptives, such as Loestrin (ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone)

Antibiotics may reduce how well the cholera vaccine works. Wait at least 14 days after stopping your antibiotic before getting the cholera vaccine. Tell your pharmacist or healthcare provider about all the medicines you take before getting a vaccine.

What Medications Are Similar?

Medications similar to Solosec that may be used to treat vaginal infections include:

• Flagyl (metronidazole)
• Diflucan (fluconazole)
• Tindamax (tinidazole)

This is a list of drugs also prescribed to treat vaginal infections. It is not a list of medicines recommended to take with Solosec. Do not take these drugs together unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Solosec?

While Solosec effectively treats vaginal infections, it may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Using alcohol may worsen these side effects. Therefore, try to avoid drinking alcohol while on the Solosec and for at least two days after taking it.

If you are being treated for trichomoniasis, make sure that you get treated with your partner at the same time to avoid reinfection. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.