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Solosec

secnidazole
Used for Bacterial Vaginosis
Used for Bacterial Vaginosis

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.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Ally Tsai, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 19, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Solosec (secnidazole)?

What is Solosec (secnidazole) used for?

How Solosec (secnidazole) works

Solosec (secnidazole) is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. It kills bacteria and parasites by damaging their DNA.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsSolosec
Drug ClassNitroimidazole antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$339.40(save 47.02%)
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$179.81
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What are the 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%)

Other Side Effects

  • Belly pain
  • Vaginal itching

Source: DailyMed

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Solosec (secnidazole)

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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

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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

Pharmacist tips for Solosec (secnidazole)

pharmacist

  • 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.

              • 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.

                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Solosec (secnidazole)

                    How long does it take for Solosec (secnidazole) to cure BV?
                    A study showed that about 58% of people who took Solosec (secnidazole) for BV were considered cured of the infection 1 to 2 weeks after their dose. This means the person has normal vaginal discharge with no fishy odor, as well as laboratory results that show minimal BV-causing bacteria. Keep in mind that everyone responds differently to the medication. Another study showed that some people were considered cured of BV 3 to 4 weeks after their dose of Solosec (secnidazole). If you're taking this medication for BV and your symptoms don't start to improve after a week, talk to your healthcare team.
                    How long does Solosec (secnidazole) take to work?
                    In clinical studies, most people who took a dose of this medication for BV experienced major improvements in their symptoms or were considered completely cured after 7 to 14 days. Similarly, people who took this medication for trich were also cured after 6 to 12 days. Make sure to take Solosec (secnidazole) exactly as prescribed. It's important to finish your treatment dose since not completing your antibiotic can make your infection come back and become harder to treat.
                    How long does Solosec (secnidazole) stay in your system?
                    Solosec (secnidazole) can stay in your system for about 4 days after a single dose. This is estimated base on the half-life of the medication. But half-life can also vary from person to person. It's often affected by many factors, such as age and medical history. Because Solosec (secnidazole) can stay in your body for up to 4 days, it can cause side effects or lead to interactions during this time. For example, Solosec (secnidazole) can pass into breastmilk, so nursing mothers should stop breastfeeding for 4 days after the dose; they're recommended to feed their babies previously stored milk or formula instead.
                    How to take Solosec (secnidazole)?
                    Solosec (secnidazole) is available in a 2-gram packet of granules. To take this medication, 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. Make sure you don't chew or crunch the oral granules. Doing so can affect how the medication gets absorbed into your body.
                    Is Solosec (secnidazole) safe in pregnancy?
                    There's not enough research to understand whether Solosec (secnidazole) is safe to take during pregnancy. This medication hasn’t been well-studied in human pregnancies, but animal studies suggest it's unlikely to cause harm. If you're pregnant, please talk with your gynecologist to see whether Solosec (secnidazole) is a good option for you.
                    Is Solosec (secnidazole) the same as metronidazole (Flagyl)?
                    Solosec (secnidazole) and metronidazole (Flagyl, Vandazole) are oral nitroimidazole antibiotics that can treat BV and trich, but they're not the same. One main difference is that metronidazole (Flagyl, Vandazole) is a first-choice treatment for both BV and trich, while Solosec (secnidazole) isn't. This is because Solosec (secnidazole) is higher-cost and there aren't enough long-term studies to understand how it compares with existing treatments. Another difference is the length of treatment. While treatment with Solosec (secnidazole) is only one dose, treatment with metronidazole (Flagyl) can take multiple days (typically 5 to 7 days). Talk with your healthcare team if you have more questions about either medication.
                    Can I drink alcohol with Solosec (secnidazole)?
                    Don't drink alcohol or eat foods containing large amount of ethanol or propylene glycol (food additives), such as salad dressing, dried soup or cake mix, during treatment with and for at least 2 days after taking Solosec (secnidazole). Doing so can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, dizziness, and headache.
                    Does Solosec (secnidazole) cause yeast infection?
                    People who took Solosec (secnidazole) have commonly reported vaginal yeast infections. This is because Solosec (secnidazole) kills not only the bad bacteria that cause BV and trich, but it also kills the good bacteria that keep your vagina healthy. When the good bacteria is gone, Candida (a type of yeast) can overgrow and cause a vaginal yeast infection. Talk with your healthcare team if you think you might have a yeast infection and they can talk with you about treatment options.
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                    What are the 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-warning

                    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-warning

                    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).

                      risk-warning

                      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.

                        dosage

                        Solosec (secnidazole) dosage forms

                        The average cost for 1 packet of 2g of Solosec (secnidazole) is $179.81 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 47.02% off the average retail price of $339.40.
                        packet
                        Packet
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        2g1 packet$179.81$179.81

                        Typical dosing 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.

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                        How much does Solosec (secnidazole) cost?

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                        contraindications-icon

                        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.
                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Solosec (secnidazole)?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Solosec (secnidazole). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Solosec (secnidazole)
                        Used for:
                        $179.81 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Tinidazole (Tindamax)
                        Used for:
                        $24.08 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Metronidazole (Flagyl)
                        Used for:
                        $8.62 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). About bacterial vaginosis (BV).

                        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). About trichomoniasis.

                        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Legal status of expedited partner therapy (EPT).

                        View All References (5)

                        Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2022). Solosec - secnidazole granule [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        National Center for Biotechnology Information. (1998). Cockayne syndrome. Genes and Disease.

                        Office on Women’s Health. (2022). Douching.

                        U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.

                        Workowski, K. A., et al. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Recommendations and Reports.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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