Metronidazole is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
A nitroimidazole used to treat amebiasis; vaginitis; trichomonas infections; giardiasis; anaerobic bacteria; and treponemal infections. It has also been proposed as a radiation sensitizer for hypoxic cells.
For the treatment of anaerobic infections and mixed infections, surgical prophylaxis requiring anaerobic coverage, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis, Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease, bacterial vaginosis, Giardia lamblia gastro-enteritis, amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica, acne rosacea (topical treatment), and Trichomonas infections.
Metronidazole is also used to treat rosacea, a skin condition, will not treat a vaginal yeast infection.
Metronidazole, a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent of the nitroimidazole class, is used against protozoa such as Trichomonas vaginalis, amebiasis, and giardiasis.
Metronidazole is extremely effective against anaerobic bacterial infections and is also used to treat Crohn's disease, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and rosacea.
Associated Conditions: Abscess, Intra-Abdominal, Amebiasis, Bacterial Infection Due to Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori), Bacterial Infections, Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Balantidiasis, Bloodstream Infections, Bone and Joint Infections, Brain abscess, Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI), Empyema, Endocarditis, Bacterial, Endometritis, Endomyometritis, Giardiasis, Infection parasitic, Lower respiratory tract infection bacterial, Lung Abscess, Meningitis, Periodontitis, Peritonitis bacterial, Pneumonia, Postoperative Infections, Pouchitis, Rosaceas, Septicemia bacterial anaerobic, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Bacterial Infections, Tetanus, Tubo-ovarian abscess, Urethritis, Asymptomatic Trichomoniasis, Hepatic abscess, Refractory Sinusitis, Symptomatic Trichomoniasis.
Metronidazole is a prodrug. Unionized metronidazole is selective for anaerobic bacteria due to their ability to intracellularly reduce metronidazole to its active form. This reduced metronidazole then covalently binds to DNA, disrupt its helical structure, inhibiting bacterial nucleic acid synthesis and resulting in bacterial cell death.
Metabolism: Hepatic metabolism by hydroxylation, oxidation, and glucuronidation.
Absorption: Well absorbed (at least 80%) with peak plasma concentrations achieved in 1-3 hours following oral administration of therapeutic doses of immediate release formulation.
Route of elimination: N/A
Half life: 6-8 hours
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.Some medical conditions may interact with Metronidazole.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
Common metronidazole side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, headache, unpleasant metallic taste, rash, itching, vaginal itching or discharge, mouth sores or swollen, red, or "hairy" tongue.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.
