Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Metronidazole is an antibioticeffective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites. Anaerobicbacteria are single-cell living organisms that thrive in low oxygenenvironments and can cause disease in the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis)liver (liver abscess), and pelvis ( abscess of the ovaries and thefallopian tubes). Giardia lamblia and ameba are parasites that can cause abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea in infected individuals. Metronidazoleselectively blocks some of the cell functions in these microorganisms,resulting in their demise.

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 250mg, 500mg.

STORAGE: Metronidazole should be stored at room temperature andprotected from light.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Metronidazole is used to treat giardiainfections of the small intestines, amebic liver abscess and dysentery(amebic colon infection causing bloody diarrhea), trichomonas vaginalinfections, and carriers of trichomonas (both sexual partners) who do nothave symptoms of infection. Metronidazole is also used alone or incombination with other antibiotics in treating abscesses in the liver,pelvis, abdomen and brain caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria.Metronidazole is also used in treating colon infection caused by abacteria called C. difficile. Many commonly used antibiotics can alter thenormal type of bacteria that inhabit the colon. C. difficile is ananaerobic bacteria that can infect the colon when the normal bacteriatypes of the colon are altered by common antibiotics. This leads toinflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis) with severe diarrheaand abdominal pain.

DOSING: Metronidazole may be taken with or without food. In thehospital, metronidazole can be administered intravenously to treat seriousinfections. Metronidazole is metabolized mainly by the liver and dosagesmay need to be reduced in patients with abnormal liver function.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Alcohol should be avoided becausemetronidazole and alcohol together can cause severe nausea, vomiting,cramps, flushing, and headache. Metronidazole can increase the bloodthinning effects of warfarin (Coumadin) and increase the risk of bleeding.Cimetidine (Tagamet) increases the blood level of metronidazole.

PREGNANCY: Metronidazole is not used in early pregnancy becauseof potential adverse effects on the babies.

NURSING MOTHERS: Metronidazole is not used by nursing mothersbecause of potential adverse effects on the babies.

SIDE EFFECTS: Metronidazole is a valuable antibiotic, and is generally well tolerated with appropriate use. Serious side effects of metronidazole are rare; and include seizures and damage of nerves resulting in numbness and tingling of extremities (peripheral neuropathy). Metronidazole should be stopped if these symptoms appear. Minor side effects include nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, a metallic taste, and rarely a rash.