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Overview

Metronidazole

Prescription vs OTC : Prescription by Doctor required

About Metronidazole

Metronidazole is antibacterial and antifungal. A prescription is required for this drug. The drug is an anti-protozoal used either on its own or in combination in the treatment of infections in the stomach and genital areas.

The medication is prescribed in the treatment of Amebiasis, Trichomoniasis, Bacterial Vaginosis, Bacterial infections and Surgical prophylaxis. This medication is not recommended with alcohol as it can cause severe discomfort and reactions.

This medication may have a lot of side effects and I should be taken under medical prescription some side effects include agitation, blurred vision, burning or tingling sensation of hands and feet, fevers and chills, skin rash, vaginal irritation, loss of appetite, constipation, yellow coloured eyes or skin and abdominal pain.

If the medication is taken while there is alcohol present in the system it can cause palpation, warmth, headache and breathing difficulty. This medication does not cause habit-forming tendencies. This drug is not recommended for women who just got pregnant but can be used in the later term of pregnancy.

Breastfeeding mothers should avoid this drug as it can be passed down through milk and cause severe indigestion or diarrhoea. This medication may lower blood count and convulsions.

Use Metronidazole with caution in patients with liver impairment due to potential accumulation, blood dyscrasias; a history of seizures, congestive heart failure, or other sodium retaining states; reduce dosage in patients with severe liver impairment, CNS disease, and severe renal failure (Clcr <10 mL/minute).

If H. pylori is not eradicated in patients being treated with Metronidazole in a regimen, it should be assumed that metronidazole-resistance has occurred and it should not again be used; seizures and neuropathies have been reported especially with increased doses and chronic treatment; if this occurs, discontinue therapy.

Symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, ataxia, seizures, peripheral neuropathy. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Take exactly as directed, with meals. Avoid alcohol during and for 24 hours after last dose. Refrain from intercourse or use a barrier contraceptive if being treated for trichomoniasis.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the uses of Metronidazole

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the contraindications of Metronidazole ?

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the side effects of Metronidazole ?

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Key highlights of Metronidazole

    • How long is the duration of effect?

      The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.

    • What is the onset of action?

      The peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 2 hours.

    • Are there any pregnancy warnings?

      This medicine is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy to treat bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. It can be used in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy only if clearly needed.

    • Is it habit forming?

      No habit forming tendencies were reported.

    • Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

      This medicine is known to excreted through the breastmilk. It is used in breastfeeding women only if clearly needed. Breastfeeding should be avoided for 24 hours after single-dose maternal treatment. Monitoring of candidal infections and diarrhea is necessary.

    • Is It safe with alcohol?

      No, this medication should not be taken while under the influence of alcohol as there can be an adverse side effect and major health complications.

    • Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

      This medication doesn’t cause drowsiness and you can drive or operate heavy machinery under the influence of this medication.

    • Does this affect liver function?

      The medication is know to cause liver injury and liver treatment of baseline liver enzymes if you are about to start this medication. Consult your doctor if you want to seek other alternative or want to be on a safer side while under this medication. You should discontinue the treatment if you see the state of your liver deteriorating.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the dosage instructions?

    • Missed Dose instructions

      If you miss a dose of Metronidazole, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

    • Are there any overdose instructions?

      Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Where is the Metronidazole approved?

    • India

    • United States

    • Japan

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Medicines containing Metronidazole

    Below is the list of medicines, which contains Metronidazole as ingredient

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    How does this medication work?

    This medication works by entering into the organism and forms the free radical. A concentration gradient is created in the organism due to alteration in the molecule and promotes the influx of the molecule. Thus, the free radical and the altered molecule will interfere with the DNA synthesis and stops the growth of the organism.

      Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

      What are the interactions of Metronidazole ?

      Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

        test
      • Interaction with Alcohol

        A disulfiram-like reaction characterized by flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating or tachycardia; patients should be warned to avoid alcohol during and 72 hours after therapy
      • Interaction with Lab Test

        May interfere with AST, ALT, triglycerides, glucose, and LDH testing.
      • Interaction with Medicine

        The drugs that you should avoid while taking this medication are Warfarin, Ethinyl Estradiol, Atorvastatin and Disulfiram. Consult your doctor if you are under any other medication to avoid unnecessary complications.
      • Interaction with Disease

        Disease

        Information not available.
      • Interaction with Food

        Peak antibiotic serum concentration lowered and delayed, but total drug absorbed not affected. Take on an empty stomach. Drug may cause GI upset; if GI upset occurs, take with food.

      FAQs about Metronidazole

      • Ques : What is Metronidazole?

        Ans : Metronidazole is a medication which has Metronidazole as an active elements present in it. This is an antibiotic medication that performs its action by preventing the growth of bacterias and parasites.

      • Ques : What are the uses of Metronidazole?

        Ans : Metronidazole is a medication, which is used for the treatment and prevention from viral and parasitic infections. It also prevents bacterial infections such as cold, cough, flu and vaginal infections. It also controls liver, skin, joints, brain and respiratory tract infections. The patient should inform the doctor about any ongoing medications and treatment before using Metronidazole to avoid undesirable effects.

      • Ques : What are the side effects of Metronidazole?

        Ans : Metronidazole is a medication which has some commonly reported side effects. These side effects may or may not occur always and some of them are rare but severe. This is not a complete list and if you experience any of the below-mentioned side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Here are some side effects of Metronidazole which are diarrhoea, headache, weakness, painful urination, trouble sleeping, numbness, muscle weakness and mouth ulcer.

      • Ques : What are the instructions for storage and disposal Metronidazole?

        Ans : Metronidazole should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets. The patient should consult a doctor for its further uses and side effects and should inform the doctor about any ongoing medications and treatment before using to avoid undesirable effects. It is important to dispose of expired and unused medications properly to avoid adverse effects.

      • Ques : How long do I need to use Metronidazole before I see improvement of my conditions?

        Ans : Metronidazole is a medicine which takes 1 or 2 days before you see an improvement in your health conditions. It would be ideal if you note, it doesn't mean you will begin to notice such health improvement in a similar time span as different patients. There are numerous elements to consider such as, salt interactions, precautions to be taken care of, time is taken by the salt to performs its action, etc. we beg you to visit your doctor to realize to what extent before you can see improvements in your health while at the same time taking Metronidazole.

      • Ques : What are the contraindications to Metronidazole?

        Ans : Metronidazole should not be used if you have the following conditions such as hives, flushing, nasal congestion, dryness of the mouth, fever, etc.

      • Ques : Is Metronidazole safe to use when pregnant?

        Ans : This medication is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. The benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk but there is no data available regarding the effect of Metronidazole during pregnancy.

      • Ques : Will Metronidazole be more effective if taken in more than the recommended dose?

        Ans : No, taking higher than the recommended dose of Metronidazolecan lead to increased chances of side effects such as diarrhoea, excessive production of urine, headache, nausea, pain in the upper part of the stomach, painful and difficult urination, serious eating disorder (anorexia), etc. If you are observing increased severity of pain or the pain is not relieved by the recommended doses, please consult your doctor for re-evaluation.

      References

      • Metronidazole- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2021 [Cited 23 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/metronidazole

      • Flagyl 200mg Tablets- EMC [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. 2021 [Cited 23 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9237/smpc

      • METRONIDAZOLE BENZOATE powder- Daily Med [Internet]. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [Cited 23 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=58b338e7-e114-413e-b9bd-0e5f7ec037c7

      Disclaimer : The information produced here is best of our knowledge and experience and we have tried our best to make it as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we would like to request that it should not be treated as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.

      Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.

      Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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      Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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      Reviewed ByDr. Garima SharmaMBBS, Master in Healthcare Administration, Diploma in Occupational HealthGeneral Physician
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