Metronidazole
About Metronidazole
Metronidazole belongs to a group of medicines known as antibacterial agents used to treat severe bacterial infections of the bone, skin and skin structure, blood, joint, abdomen, central nervous system, respiratory, and gynaecological systems, meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves).
Metronidazole contains Metronidazole, which suppresses protein synthesis by interacting with DNA and causing helical DNA structure loss and strand breakage. As a result, it induces cell death in susceptible organisms. Thus, Metronidazole treats bacterial infections.
Metronidazole will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. Some common side effects of Metronidazole are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and injection site reaction. These side effects are temporary and may resolve after some time. However, if any of the side effects persist or worsen, contact the doctor.
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to metronidazole. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding. Do not operate heavy machinery or drive after taking Metronidazole as it may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid consumption of alcohol while on treatment with Metronidazole as it may cause unpleasant side effects.
Uses of Metronidazole
• Treatment of Infections: Metronidazole effectively treats various infections, including intra-abdominal, skin, gynecologic, septicemia, bone and joint, CNS, respiratory tract, and endocarditis, by eliminating anaerobic bacteria and parasites, stopping their growth, and alleviating symptoms.
• Surgical Prophylaxis: Metronidazole is used as a surgical prophylaxis to prevent postoperative infections, particularly for surgeries involving the gastrointestinal tract.
• Management of Clostridium Difficile Infection: Metronidazole is used to manage severe Clostridium difficile infections, especially when oral medication is not possible.
• Amoebic Dysentery Treatment: Metronidazole is used to treat amoebic dysentery, a severe intestinal infection caused by the Entamoeba histolytica parasite.
• Combination Therapy: Metronidazole is often used in combination with other antibiotics to treat serious infections, offering a broad spectrum of action and enhancing treatment effectiveness.
Medicinal Benefits
Metronidazole belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-bacterial agents used to treat severe bacterial infections of the bone, skin and skin structure, blood, joint, abdomen, central nervous system, gynecologic, respiratory infections, meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves). Metronidazole contains Metronidazole, which suppresses protein synthesis by interacting with DNA and causes helical DNA structure loss and strand breakage. As a result, it induces cell death in susceptible organisms. Thereby, Metronidazole treats bacterial infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Metronidazole
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Injection site reactions
Drug Warnings
Do not take Metronidazole if you are allergic to any of the components. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to get pregnant or if you are breastfeeding. Do not operate heavy machinery or drive after taking Metronidazole as it may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Inform your doctor if you have bone marrow depression/low blood count, kidney impairment, CNS disorder, liver or heart problems, peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, Crohn's disease (a condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract), yeast infection, oedema (swelling), or blood disorders.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Metronidazole have interactions with medicines used to treat HIV (amprenavir), anticoagulant medications (anisindione, dicumarol, warfarin), certain vaccinations (BCG, cholera vaccine live, typhoid vaccine live), anti-cancer drug (busulfan) and psychiatry agents (disulfiram).
Drug-Food Interactions: You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Metronidazole to avoid unpleasant side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, flushing, and headache.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney impairment, CNS disorder, liver or heart problems, peripheral neuropathy, Crohn's disease (a condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract), yeast infection, oedema (swelling), or blood disorders.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Metronidazole to avoid unpleasant side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, flushing, and headache.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor. Metronidazole should be used in pregnant women only if clinically needed, and the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Metronidazole.
Driving
cautionMetronidazole may cause dizziness and drowsiness; thus, avoid operating machinery or driving vehicles unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionMetronidazole to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your liver condition.
Kidney
cautionMetronidazole to be taken with extreme caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your kidney condition.
Children
consult your doctorLimited information about the use of Metronidazole in paediatric patients. Please seek medical advice. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine to your child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- It would be best to take probiotics after taking the full course of Metronidazole to restore healthy bacteria in the intestine that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet. This food can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should also be included in the diet.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Metronidazole as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid Metronidazole in fighting off infections.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is when harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. Generalised symptoms include fever, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms, including spherical, rod-shaped, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Metronidazole belongs to a group of medicines known as antibacterial agents used to treat severe bacterial infections of the bone, skin and skin structure, blood, joint, abdomen, central nervous system, respiratory, and gynaecological systems, meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves).
Metronidazole suppresses protein synthesis by interacting with DNA, causing helical DNA structure loss and strand breakage. As a result, it induces cell death in susceptible organisms, treating bacterial infections.
Caution should be exercised. Metronidazole may enhance the anticoagulant activity of warfarin and other oral anticoagulants by extending prothrombin time. Inform your doctor if you are taking such medications.
No. Metronidazole is an antibacterial medicine that acts only against bacterial infections, not viral infections like the common cold and flu.
Metronidazole should only be used to treat or prevent infections that have been proven or are strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria.
Extreme caution should be exercised while using Metronidazole in patients with severe liver damage, blood formation disorder, brain, spinal cord or nervous disease. So, let your doctor know if you have any of these conditions.
