Metronidazole (By mouth)

met-roe-NYE-da-zole

Treats bacterial infections.

Drug classes

Amebicide, Extraintestinal, Amebicide, Intestinal, Antibiotic, Antiprotozoal, Antiulcer, Helicobacter Pylori (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial infections in different areas of the body. The extended-release tablets are used to treat women with vaginal infections (bacterial vaginosis).

Metronidazole belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, metronidazole is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Clostridium difficile diarrhea or colitis (antibiotic-associated colitis).

Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowel disease).

Gastritis or stomach ulcers due to Helicobacter pylori.

Giardiasis (parasite infection in the intestines).

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Capsule, Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

Take this medicine as directed, and take it at the same time each day.

Capsule or Tablet: Take with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

Extended-release tablet: Take it on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

Missed dose:Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken disulfiram within the last 2 weeks. Do not drink alcohol or use medicine that contains alcohol or propylene glycol while using this medicine and for at least 3 days after you have finished metronidazole treatment.

Some foods and medicines can affect how metronidazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using busulfan, cimetidine, lithium, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or warfarin or another blood thinner.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or similar medicines. Do not use this medicine to treat trichomoniasis if you are in the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, blood or bone marrow problems, oral thrush, yeast infection, or a history of seizures.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Brain or nervous system problems, including seizures, meningitis, or vision problems

Trichomoniasis treatment: Your doctor may want to also treat your sexual partner, even if he or she has no symptoms. Also, you may want to use a condom during sexual intercourse. These measures will help keep you from getting the infection back again from your partner. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Confusion, drowsiness, fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, stiff neck or back

Dizziness, problems with muscle control, clumsiness, shakiness, trouble talking

Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

Seizures

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Mild nausea

Unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl ER

There may be other brand names for this medicine.