Solosec
Solosec (secnidazole) is an oral nitroimidazole antibiotic. It's used to treat bacterial vaginosis (a type of vaginal bacteria infection) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection) in people age 12 years and older. Treatment of Solosec (secnidazole) is only one dose taken by mouth. The medication comes in a packet of granules that you can sprinkle onto soft food. You shouldn't take Solosec (secnidazole) with alcohol because it can worsen side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
What is Solosec (secnidazole)?
What is Solosec (secnidazole) used for?
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) (a vaginal bacterial infection)
- Trichomoniasis or Trich (a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI))
How Solosec (secnidazole) works
Solosec (secnidazole) is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. It kills bacteria and parasites by damaging their DNA.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Solosec |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Nitroimidazole antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Solosec (secnidazole)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- White or yellow vaginal discharge (up to 10%)
- Headache (4%)
- Nausea (up to 5%)
- Vomiting (3%)
- Diarrhea (3%)
- Bitter or metallic taste in your mouth (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Belly pain
- Vaginal itching
The following Solosec (secnidazole) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Solosec (secnidazole)
Pros
- Only requires one dose of treatment for BV and trich
- Granules are mixed with soft food, such as applesauce, pudding and yogurt, so convenient for people with difficulty swallowing pills
- Can take at any time of the day, so convenient for people who are busy or have trouble remembering when to take their medications
Cons
- Only available as a brand-name medication
- Can’t drink alcohol during and for 2 days after treatment because doing so can worsen nausea or vomiting
- Must take medication within 30 minutes of mixing, can't store for later
Pharmacist tips for Solosec (secnidazole)
- Don't pour Solosec (secnidazole) granules into your mouth or try to dissolve the granules in liquids, such as water. The granules don't dissolve. Instead, sprinkle the granules onto applesauce, yogurt or pudding and take by mouth within 30 minutes. You can drink some water afterwards to help you swallow all the medication. Solosec (secnidazole) can be taken without regards to meal.
- Don't chew or crunch the Solosec (secnidazole) oral granules because doing so can alter how the medication gets absorbed into your body.
- Don't drink alcohol or eat large amounts of food containing ethanol or propylene glycol while taking Solosec (secnidazole) and for at least 2 days after. Doing so might cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, dizziness, and headache.
- Taking Solosec (secnidazole) can raise your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection. Please talk with your gynecologist if you notice your vagina is red and itchy, you have thick white vaginal fluid, or if you experience pain or burning when you urinate.
- Don't take Solosec (secnidazole) more often than what your gynecologist directed. Taking this medication long-term can raise your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection or cause it to not work as well for future infections.
- Solosec (secnidazole) might get into breastmilk. If you're breastfeeding, you might want to consider pumping and discarding your breast milk while and for 4 days after taking Solosec (secnidazole). Some alternatives you can give your baby in the meantime include previously stored breast milk or formula. If you have any questions, please talk with your child's pediatrician.
- Your healthcare team might also test you for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other STIs if you tested positive for BV or trich. Having BV or trich can raise your risk for other STIs as well.
- Take Solosec (secnidazole) exactly as directed by your healthcare team, even if you're feeling better. Not taking a complete treatment can cause this medication to not work as well.
- To lower your risk of BV, try to limit the number of sexual partners, use condoms every time you have sex, or avoid douching (washing inside of vagina with water and other liquids).
- If you're taking Solosec (secnidazole) for trich, make sure that your sexual partner(s) also get treated to avoid getting reinfected. In most states, your sexual partner(s) can get a prescription without an appointment. Check with your healthcare team if this is an available option. Don't have sex until you or your sexual partner(s) have finished treatment and have no more symptoms.
Risks and warnings for Solosec (secnidazole)
Solosec (secnidazole) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of vaginal yeast infection
Taking Solosec (secnidazole) can raise your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection. If so, your healthcare team might prescribe a medication to treat the yeast infection. Please talk with your gynecologist if you notice your vagina is red and itchy, you have thick white vaginal fluid, or if you experience pain or burning when you urinate.
Risk of Solosec (secnidazole) not working
- Risk factors: Taking Solosec (secnidazole) more often or differently than prescribed
Taking Solosec (secnidazole) more often or differently than prescribed can put you at risk for infections that are harder to treat in the future. To make sure that this medication will work well to fight future infections, follow your gynecologist's instruction on when and how long to take Solosec (secnidazole).
Possible risk of cancer
- Risk factors: Taking Solosec (secnidazole) for a long time
It’s not clear whether or not taking Solosec (secnidazole) for a long time can put you at risk for cancer. Studies show that rats who took metronidazole (Flagyl) (a medication that’s similar to Solosec (secnidazole)) throughout their lifetime were at higher risk for tumors. If you're taking Solosec (secnidazole), don't take this medication more often than what your gynecologist has directed.
Solosec (secnidazole) dosage
Packet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2g | 1 packet | $186.74 | $186.74 |
Typical dosage for Solosec (secnidazole)
Each packet contains 2 grams of Solosec (secnidazole) granules.
Bacterial vaginosis and Trichomoniasis
- Adults and children ages 12 years an older: Mix one 2-gram packet of granules with applesauce, yogurt or pudding. Take the mixture by mouth within 30 minutes for one dose only.
How much does Solosec (secnidazole) cost?
$186.74
Solosec (secnidazole) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Solosec (secnidazole) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to metronidazole (Flagyl)
- Cockayne syndrome
What are alternatives to Solosec (secnidazole)?
Solosec (secnidazole) images
