Drug reference

Secnidazole

Second-generation nitroimidazole antimicrobial · Antiprotozoal, Anti-infective

Also known as Secnil, Seczol, Secro, Solosec

START

Single 2 g oral dose (granules on soft food); treat partner for trichomoniasis

TYPICAL MAX

2 g single dose

STOP IF

Hypersensitivity reaction; neurologic symptoms (rare)

WATCH

Counsel alcohol avoidance (class caution), breastfeeding interruption ~96 h, candidiasis after BV treatment

CDSCO approvedATC P01AB07

Renal dose adjustmenteGFR mL/min/1.73m²

KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label

Pharmacokineticsplasma · t hours

ONSET: 4h · absorption
PEAK: 4h · Cmax
t½: 22h · plasma t½
DURATION: 1d · single-dose (prolonged effect)

EXCRETION

Hepatic metabolism; ~15% renal unchanged

route + CYP

INTERACTIONS

1 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

Avoid first trimester; later only if clearly needed (limited data; nitroimidazole class)

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 4 →

WarfarinSevereDatabaseKimi deep-research + Cla

Available in India

22 branded formulations. Look up specific brands in the Drugs workspace.

Mechanism

Nitro group reduced intracellularly in anaerobes/protozoa to reactive species causing DNA strand breakage and cell death; long half-life enables single-dose therapy.

Indications

Bacterial vaginosis (single-dose, oral granules)TrichomoniasisAmoebiasis and giardiasis (region-dependent)

Dosing

Adult: Bacterial vaginosis/trichomoniasis: single 2 g oral dose (granules sprinkled on food). Amoebiasis/giardiasis: 2 g single dose (or per regional regimen).
Pediatric: 30 mg/kg single dose (max 2 g) where indicated (region-dependent).
Renal adjustment: No specific adjustment (single dose; caution ESRD).
Hepatic adjustment: Caution in significant hepatic impairment (reduced clearance).
Geriatric: No specific adjustment.
Max dose: 2 g single dose

Pharmacokinetics

Onset

Antimicrobial over the days following single dose

Peak effect

Cmax ~4 h

Duration

Prolonged (single-dose efficacy)

Half-life

~17–29 h (long — basis for single dosing)

Bioavailability

Well absorbed orally

Protein binding

<15%

Metabolism

Hepatic

Excretion

Renal (≈15% unchanged) and metabolites

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to nitroimidazoles
Caution: blood dyscrasias, CNS disease; alcohol (disulfiram-like — class caution)

Side effects

Common

Nausea/dysgeusia (metallic taste)HeadacheVulvovaginal candidiasis (BV treatment)Abdominal discomfort/diarrhoeaVomiting

Serious

Hypersensitivity reactions
CNS effects (rare — peripheral neuropathy/seizures, class, with prolonged/high exposure)
Possible disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol (nitroimidazole class)