MedDataToolMetronidazole is a medication used to treat infections caused by certain parasites and bacteria, including trichomoniasis, amebiasis, and various anaerobic bacterial infections. It works by entering the bacteria or parasites and disrupting their DNA, which ultimately kills them. You can take it as a tablet, with a common starting dose for trichomoniasis being either a single dose of 2 grams or 250 mg taken three times a day for seven days. It's important to know that metronidazole should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, if you are taking disulfiram, a medication used for alcohol dependence, you should not take metronidazole as it can lead to serious reactions.
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Uses
- Symptomatic Trichomoniasis.
- Asymptomatic Trichomoniasis.
- Amebiasis (acute intestinal amebiasis).
- Amebic liver abscess.
- Anaerobic bacterial infections.
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Dosage
Trichomoniasis: 250 mg three times daily for 7 days.
Amebiasis: 750 mg three times daily for 5 to 10 days.
Pediatric patients: 35 to 50 mg/kg/24 hours for 10 days.
Adjust dose for severe liver impairment by 50%.
Monitor doses in elderly and kidney patients.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
nauseaheadachediarrheametallic taste
Serious
seizuresencephalopathyperipheral neuropathysevere skin reactions
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Hypersensitivity reactions can be serious.
- Avoid use in first trimester of pregnancy.
- Do not use with disulfiram within two weeks.
- Alcohol can cause severe reactions.
- Monitor patients on warfarin for bleeding risks.
- May cause CNS effects like seizures and neuropathy.
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Drug interactions
- Disulfiramrisk of psychotic reactionsCaution
- Alcoholrisk of nausea and vomitingCaution
- Warfarinincreases bleeding riskMonitor
- Lithiumrisk of toxicityCaution
- Busulfanincreased risk of toxicityMonitor
- Cimetidineprolongs metronidazole effectsCaution
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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).