Introduction About ORNISTAL TABLET

ORNISTAL TABLET contains Ornidazole which belongs to the group of medicines called Antiprotozoals. It is used to manage infections that are caused by anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that do not use oxygen) or amoeba (single-celled parasites). Infections include certain types of vaginal, urinary tract and intestinal infections or some specific infections in the body. It is also used as prophylaxis during surgery to manage these types of infections.

Before taking ORNISTAL TABLET, inform your doctor if you have epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (disease which affects the central nervous system), liver disease or if you are undergoing hemodialysis. Your doctor might advise you to take certain blood tests prior to management with ORNISTAL TABLET to understand the existing condition and to safely use this medicine.

ORNISTAL TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless clearly advised by the doctor and it should be used with caution in breast-feeding women. ORNISTAL TABLET can be used in children and your child’s doctor may adjust the dose depending upon child’s body weight and type of the infection. 

While taking this medicine you may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth and loss of appetite. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects worsen.

Uses Of ORNISTAL TABLET

• Manage certain types of vaginal, urinary tract and intestinal infections or other specific infections in the body
• Used as prophylaxis during surgery (particularly involving the colon and in gynaecological operations)

How ORNISTAL TABLET Works

ORNISTAL TABLET contains ornidazole which is an antiprotozoal agent that kills parasites and bacteria (that lives in the absence of oxygen) by generating harmful molecule which damages the DNA of the parasites and bacteria, thus helps to manage certain types of infections.

How to use ORNISTAL TABLET

Take ORNISTAL TABLET as advised by your doctor. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Avoid taking this medicine on empty stomach. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of ORNISTAL TABLET for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of ORNISTAL TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Nausea or vomiting:

Stick to simple meals while taking this medicine. Avoid eating oily rich, fried or spicy foods. Do not lie down or sleep immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.   

Diarrhea:

Drink lot of fluids, such as water to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid eating high-fat or spicy foods. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to manage diarrhea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Dry Mouth:

Sip water regularly and other sugar free liquids. Do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can make your mouth dry, use mouthwash that is used only for dry mouth. Limit your caffeine intake. Avoid smoking or using tobacco products. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Loss of appetite:

Eat when you feel hungry. Eat smaller meals frequently than usual. Snack only when you're hungry. Eat a nutritious snack which is rich in calories and protein, such as dried fruits and nuts. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

ORNISTAL TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Breastfeeding

ORNISTAL TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as it is not known if it passes in the breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Driving and Using Machines

Do not drive or operate any machines if you experience dizziness, drowsiness or light headedness after taking ORNISTAL TABLET.

Alcohol

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking ORNISTAL TABLET and for at least 3 days after finishing the> management.

Kidney

ORNISTAL TABLET should be used with caution in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Your doctor may advice you to take additional dose because this medicine is removed by haemodialysis. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Liver

ORNISTAL TABLET should be taken with caution in patients with liver disease. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Allergy

Do not take ORNISTAL TABLET if you are allergic to Ornidazole, nitroimidazole derivatives (such as metronidazole) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking ORNISTAL TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:   

• medicines used for thinning of the blood (Ex. warfarin)
• medicine used as a muscle relaxant (Ex. vecuronium bromide)
• lithium (used to manage bipolar disorder)
• cimetidine (used to manage stomach ulcers)
• antiepileptic medicines such as phenytoin and phenobarbital (used to manage epilepsy)

Overdosage

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of ORNISTAL TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep ORNISTAL TABLET out of reach of children
• Store the medicine at room temperature

FAQs About ORNISTAL TABLET

What if I forget to take a dose of ORNISTAL TABLET?

If you forget to take a dose of ORNISTAL TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose at the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.

Is it safe to use ORNISTAL TABLET during pregnancy?

ORNISTAL TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless clearly advised by the doctor. Consult your doctor before taking ORNISTAL TABLET if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

Does ORNISTAL TABLET cause diarrhea?

Yes, ORNISTAL TABLET may cause diarrhea in some individuals. To manage this effect, drink lot of fluids, such as water to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid eating high-fat or spicy foods. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to manage diarrhea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

When to seek medical emergency while taking ORNISTAL TABLET?         

Stop taking ORNISTAL TABLET and contact your physician immediately if you experience rigidity, poor coordination, seizures, loss of consciousness, and allergic reactions (signs include severe skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat, hands, feet or ankles, difficulty in swallowing or breathing).

Can I drink alcohol while taking ORNISTAL TABLET?

No, avoid consumption of alcohol while taking ORNISTAL TABLET and for at least 3 days after finishing the management with this medicine, as it worsens the side effects. Consult your doctor for advice before taking ORNISTAL TABLET.

References

1. KD. Tripathi. Corticosteroids. Drugs Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 289.

2. O.Kurt, N.Girginkardesler, I.C.Balcioglu, A.Ozbilgin, U.Z.Ok. A comparison of metronidazole and single-dose ornidazole for the treatment of dientamoebiasis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infection. June 2008. [Accessed on 20th August 2022] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X14619583

3. Yehouda Marcus, Noam Tal, Mordechai Ronen, Raanan Carmieli, Michael Gurevitz. The drug ornidazole inhibits photosynthesis in a different mechanism described for protozoa and anaerobic bacteria. NIH National Library for medicine, National centre for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. December 2016. [Accessed on 20th August 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27647935/

4. Teva Pharma Limited. Arrow tablet (Ornidazole). [Revised in May 2017] [Accessed on 20th August 2022] https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/cmi/a/arrowornidazole.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Complete blood count
• Liver function tests