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| Pronunciation |
|
 (me
troe NI da
zole) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Flagyl®; Flagyl ER®;
MetroCream®; MetroGel® Topical; MetroGel®-Vaginal;
Metro I.V.® Injection; MetroLotion®; Noritate™
Cream; Protostat®
Oral |
|
|
| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Ameblin (Mexico); Apo-Metronidazole®
(Canada); Flagenase® (Mexico); Milezzol (Mexico); Novo-Nidazol
(Canada); Otrozol (Mexico); Vatrix-S® (Mexico); Vertisal
(Mexico) |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Amebicide; Antibiotic, Topical; Antibiotic, Miscellaneous;
Antiprotozoal |
|
|
| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Talk with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to metronidazole or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you are in your first 12 weeks of
pregnancy.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine, when taken by mouth, is used to treat a variety of
infections.
- As a skin cream or gel it is used to treat acne rosacea. It may take
3-9 weeks to see full benefit.
- As a gel, it is used to treat vaginal
infections.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Metronidazole causes death of the cells causing the
infection.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take entire prescription as directed even if feeling better.
- Oral:
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Do not take antacids with this medicine.
- Skin:
- Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes
(may burn).
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Clean affected area before use.
- Use a small amount over the area affected as a light film. Rub in
gently.
- Vaginal:
- Use gel vaginally only.
- Do not have sexual intercourse while using this
medicine.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid all alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause a bad
reaction.
- This could include flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, or
rapid heartbeat. Do not take alcohol for at least 24 hours after the last dose.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control
while on this medicine.
- Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
- Oral:
- Tell healthcare provider if on phenytoin, phenobarbital, warfarin,
lithium, or cimetidine.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Lightheadedness or dizziness. Use caution when driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum
, or Lactobacillus acidophilus
may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some
pharmacies.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Not hungry or change in taste. Food may have a metal-like taste.
- Can change urine to black or dark brown.
- Skin:
- Redness, dryness, burning, or
irritation.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same.
- Oral:
- Watch for change in temperature or worsening of infection if you are
being treated for an active infection.
- If on warfarin, get INR checked within 1
week.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Numbness or pain of the hands or feet.
- Any rash.
- Worsening of condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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