Can you take Infergen with Tinidazole?
1 drug interaction and 23 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- Infergen (interferon alfacon-1)
- tinidazole
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
interferon alfacon-1 tinidazole
Applies to: Infergen (interferon alfacon-1) and tinidazole
Using interferon alfacon-1 together with tinidazole may increase the risk of nerve damage, which is a potential side effect of both medications.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications.
Let your doctor know if you develop weakness, numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in your hands, feet, or limbs.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
tinidazole Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: tinidazole
Consumption of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol or propylene glycol during treatment with tinidazole may occasionally trigger a reaction in some patients similar to the disulfiram reaction, which includes unpleasant effects such as:
- flushing
- throbbing in head and neck
- throbbing headache
- difficulty breathing
- nausea
- vomiting
- sweating
- thirst
- chest pain
- rapid heartbeat
- palpitation
- low blood pressure
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- blurred vision
- confusion
Rarely, more severe reactions may include:
- abnormal heart rhythm
- heart attack
- heart failure
- unconsciousness
- convulsions
- even death
Patients treated with tinidazole should avoid using any products containing alcohol or propylene glycol during and for up to 3 days until after completion of therapy.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
22 potential interactions Applies to: 19 conditions, including Depression, Underactive Thyroid, Heart Failure, Seizures, and Peripheral Neuropathy.
Alcoholism
Moderate:
tinidazole
Tinidazole has a moderate potential interaction with Alcoholism.
Nitroimidazoles (e.g., metronidazole, tinidazole, fexinidazole, secnidazole) may inhibit alcohol dehydrogenase and occasionally precipitate a disulfiram-like reaction in patients who consume alcohol while being treated. Symptoms may include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing, rash, weakness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, sweating, and hypotension. Patients should be instructed to avoid alcohol-containing products during nitroimidazole therapy and for at least 48 hours (fexinidazole, secnidazole) to 72 hours (metronidazole, tinidazole) after the last dose. Therapy with nitroimidazoles should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake. An alternative therapy may be appropriate.
Arrhythmia
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Autoimmune Disorders
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Autoimmune Disorders.
Antiviral interferons may exacerbate autoimmune disorders such as myositis, thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or autoimmune hepatitis. Therapy should be avoided or administered with extreme caution in patients with autoimmune disorders.
Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Major:
tinidazole
Tinidazole has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.
The use of nitroimidazoles (e.g., metronidazole, tinidazole) has rarely been associated with hematologic adverse effects such as mild, transient leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and bone marrow aplasia. The manufacturers recommend that therapy with nitroimidazoles be administered cautiously in patients with evidence of or a history of blood dyscrasias, and that total and differential leukocyte counts be performed before and after treatment with these drugs, particularly in patients receiving repeated courses of therapy.
Moderate:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a moderate potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.
Interferons (alfa and gamma) induce a dose-dependent, generally mild, myelosuppression. Leukopenia is the primary manifestation. Thrombocytopenia and anemia occur less frequently. Therapy with interferons (alfa and gamma) should be administered cautiously to patients with bone marrow suppression. Clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Central Nervous System Disorders
Major:
tinidazole
Tinidazole has a major potential interaction with Central Nervous System Disorders.
The use of nitroimidazoles (e.g., metronidazole, tinidazole) has been associated with the development of nervous system toxicity including convulsive seizures and dose-related peripheral neuropathy, the latter characterized primarily by numbness or paresthesia of an extremity. Persistent peripheral neuropathy has been reported in some patients treated for prolonged periods. Other neurologic adverse effects include vertigo, incoordination, ataxia, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and depression. Therapy with nitroimidazoles should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures or other nervous system abnormalities. Nitroimidazole therapy should be discontinued promptly if neurologic disturbances occur.
Depression
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Depression.
Interferons (alfa or beta) can induce depression and suicidal behavior. Suicidal attempts and suicides have been reported. Therapy with interferons (alfa or beta) should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to mental depression. Clinical monitoring of psychological status is recommended.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Flu-like symptoms frequently associated with interferon-alfa therapy can precipitate ketoacidosis in diabetic patients. Therapy with interferon alfa should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Clinical monitoring of blood glucose concentrations and anti-diabetic therapy is recommended.
Heart Failure
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Hemodialysis
Moderate:
tinidazole
Tinidazole has a moderate potential interaction with Hemodialysis.
The clearance of tinidazole is significantly increased during hemodialysis; the half-life is reduced from 12 hours to 4.9 hours. During a 6-hour hemodialysis session, approximately 43% of the amount present in the body is eliminated. If this drug is administered on the same day as and prior to hemodialysis, an additional dose of tinidazole equivalent to one-half the recommended dose should be administered after the end of the hemodialysis session.
History of Blood Dyscrasias
Major:
tinidazole
Tinidazole has a major potential interaction with History of Blood Dyscrasias.
The use of nitroimidazoles (e.g., metronidazole, tinidazole) has rarely been associated with hematologic adverse effects such as mild, transient leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and bone marrow aplasia. The manufacturers recommend that therapy with nitroimidazoles be administered cautiously in patients with evidence of or a history of blood dyscrasias, and that total and differential leukocyte counts be performed before and after treatment with these drugs, particularly in patients receiving repeated courses of therapy.
Hyperthyroidism
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid abnormalities, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, have been reported in patients administered interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously to patients with thyroid dysfunction. If thyroid control cannot be maintained within normal limits with medication, interferon-alfa should be discontinued. Clinical monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Liver Disease
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Hepatotoxicity, including fatal cases, has been reported in patients treated with interferon alpha. Additionally, the risk of hepatic decompensation and death is increased in patients with cirrhosis. Any patient developing liver function abnormalities during treatment should be monitored closely and treatment should be discontinued if appropriate. Interferon-alfa is contraindicated in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and decompensated liver disease.
Moderate:
tinidazole
Tinidazole has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
There are no data on the pharmacokinetics of tinidazole in patients with liver dysfunction. Reduced metabolic elimination of metronidazole (a chemically-related nitroimidazole) has been reported in patients with liver dysfunction. Usual recommended doses of tinidazole should be administered cautiously in patients with liver dysfunction.
Parkinsonism
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Parkinsonism.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Major:
tinidazole
Tinidazole has a major potential interaction with Peripheral Neuropathy.
The use of nitroimidazoles (e.g., metronidazole, tinidazole) has been associated with the development of nervous system toxicity including convulsive seizures and dose-related peripheral neuropathy, the latter characterized primarily by numbness or paresthesia of an extremity. Persistent peripheral neuropathy has been reported in some patients treated for prolonged periods. Other neurologic adverse effects include vertigo, incoordination, ataxia, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and depression. Therapy with nitroimidazoles should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures or other nervous system abnormalities. Nitroimidazole therapy should be discontinued promptly if neurologic disturbances occur.
Moderate:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a moderate potential interaction with Peripheral Neuropathy.
Paresthesia and numbness have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to peripheral neuropathy.
Psychosis
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Renal Dysfunction
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Proteinuria (rare), not associated with a decrease in serum protein, is the most common renal toxicity observed with interferon- alfa therapy. Increased BUN and serum creatinine levels, hematuria, acute renal failure and nephrotic syndrome have also been reported. Therapy with interferon alfa should be administered cautiously to patients with severe renal dysfunction. Renal function should be evaluated in all patients before initiation of interferon- alfa therapy. In addition, patients with any degree of renal impairment should be carefully monitored for laboratory abnormalities and decreased creatinine clearance. A reduced dose of medication is recommended in patients with low CrCl (less than 50 mL/min - 30 mL/min).
Seizures
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Seizures.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Underactive Thyroid
Major:
Infergen
The interferon alfacon-1 in Infergen has a major potential interaction with Underactive Thyroid.
Thyroid abnormalities, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, have been reported in patients administered interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously to patients with thyroid dysfunction. If thyroid control cannot be maintained within normal limits with medication, interferon-alfa should be discontinued. Clinical monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.
More resources
Infergen
A total of 226 drugs are known to interact with Infergen.
- Infergen is in the drug class interferons.
- Infergen is used to treat Hepatitis C.
tinidazole
A total of 242 drugs are known to interact with tinidazole.
- Tinidazole is in the drug class amebicides.
- Tinidazole is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.