Description
Metronidazole is an antibiotic medicine that helps your body fight infections caused by bacteria and parasites. It is used to treat infections of the liver, stomach, intestines, vagina, brain, heart, lungs, bones and skin.
Metronidazole helps prevent an infection after surgery. It is also used in the treatment of dental infections, leg ulcers, and pressure sores. This medicine is best taken after eating some food. It should be taken at the same time each day to get the most benefit. The amount you are advised will depend on what you are being treated for and how bad it is, but you should take this antibiotic exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better after a short time but do not stop taking it until you have finished a full course of treatment, even if you feel well. If you stop taking it early, some bacteria may survive, and the infection may come back. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine and for a few days after stopping it. Otherwise, you may get unpleasant side effects like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
The most common side effects of this medicine are headache, dryness in the mouth, nausea, and a slight metallic taste in the mouth. These are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days. You can try using sugarless candies or lozenges to overcome any dryness or metallic taste in the mouth.
Before using this medicine, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any medicine or have any kidney or liver problems or any disease of the nervous system. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking this medicine.
USES OF METRONIDAZOLE
Bacterial infections
Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, a kind of microorganisms that are made of only one cell. Bacteria live in all kinds of the environment including extreme hot and cold conditions. Millions of bacteria are present in the environment around us, on our body and inside it.
Bacteria are both harmful and useful to us. In fact, only a small number of bacteria are responsible for illnesses. Many are beneficial, such as those involved in immunity, digestion, and production of antibiotics and food products.
Parasitic infections
BENEFITS OF METRONIDAZOLE
In Bacterial infections
Metronidazole is a versatile antibiotic medicine that can be used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. These include infections of the blood, brain, lungs, bones, joints, urinary tract, stomach, and intestines. It can also be used to treat gum ulcers and other dental infections (abscesses), leg ulcers, and pressure sores. It works by stopping the growth of the bacteria causing the infection.
This medicine usually makes you feel better quite quickly. However, you should continue taking it as long as it is prescribed even when you feel better, to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not become resistant. This medicine is generally safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding, but you should ask your doctor.
In Parasitic infections
Metronidazole is an antibiotic medicine that helps treat many parasitic infections such as amoebic dysentery. It works by stopping the growth of parasites causing the infection. This medicine usually makes you feel better quite quickly. However, you should continue taking it as long as it is prescribed even when you feel better, to make sure that all parasites are killed and do not become resistant. This medicine is generally safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding, but you should ask your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS OF METRONIDAZOLE
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them.
Common side effects of Metronidazole:
- Headache
- Dryness in mouth
- Nausea
- Metallic taste
HOW TO USE METRONIDAZOLE
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Metronidazole is to be taken with food.
HOW METRONIDAZOLE WORKS
Metronidazole is an antibiotic. It kills the bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infections by damaging their DNA.
SAFETY ADVICE
Alcohol
UNSAFE
Consuming alcohol while taking Metronidazole may cause symptoms such as flushing, increased heart beat, nausea, thirst, chest pain and low blood pressure (Disulfiram reaction).
Pregnancy
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Metronidazole is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
Breastfeeding
CAUTION
Metronidazole should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be held until the treatment of the mother is completed and the drug is eliminated from her body.
If a single dose of Metronidazole is used, it is recommended to hold breastfeeding for 12-24 hours to allow the removal of the drug.
Driving
UNSAFE
Metronidazole may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Metronidazole may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, confused. You may have hallucinations, fits (convulsions) or temporary eyesight problems (such as blurred or double vision) affecting your ability to drive.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Metronidazole is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Metronidazole is recommended.
Patients undergoing kidney dialysis should take this medicine after the dialysis treatment.
Liver
CAUTION
Metronidazole should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Metronidazole may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
