Metronidazole

Uses of Metronidazole

Metronidazole is used to treat infections of the reproductive system, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, skin, heart, bone, joint, lung, blood, nervous system, and other areas of the body. It is also used to treat certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Metronidazole is also used to treat bacterial vaginosis (an infection caused by too much of certain types of harmful bacteria in the vagina) in women. Metronidazole is in a class of medications called nitroimidazole antimicrobials. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Precautions and Warnings

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria, do not use metronidazole to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor. This medicine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Metronidazole has been shown to be carcinogenic in rats and mice and unnecessary use should be avoided.

Do not use metronidazole if you recently drank alcohol, or have taken disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 2 weeks. Do not drink alcohol or consume foods or medicines that contain propylene glycol while you are taking metronidazole and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it.

Seizures and other nervous system abnormalities have been reported in patients treated with metronidazole. You should stop using this medicine immediately if you experience any neurological symptoms such as seizures, headaches, visual changes, weakness, numbness, or tingling.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. The use of metronidazole during pregnancy has been well-studied and a review of 17 studies found that treating bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis with metronidazole reduced the risk of preterm birth and was effective and offered no teratogen risk. Conversely, isolated studies have suggested its use may result in low birth weight or preterm delivery. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking metronidazole during pregnancy. Some product labels for metronidazole say it is contraindicated during the first trimester.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Metronidazole can pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking metronidazole. If you are breastfeeding, you may consider pumping and throwing away your breast milk during treatment with metronidazole and for 48 hours after your last dose and feeding your infant stored human milk or formula.

Not all uses of metronidazole are approved for treating children and teenagers. Metronidazole is not approved to treat vaginal infections in girls who have not begun having menstrual periods.

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection

Loading dose: 15 mg/kg IV once as a single dose
Maintenance dose: 7.5 mg/kg IV or orally every 6 hours
Maximum dose: 4 g/day
Usual duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Pain in the upper abdomen and abdominal cramping
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Constipation.