What is Metronidazole?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic that helps in fighting with bacteria. This is used for treating many bacterial infections that are caused in:
- Vagina
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Liver
- Skin
- Joints
- Brain
- Heart and Respiratory Tract
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What are the Uses of Metronidazole?
These are used to stop the growth of bacteria and parasites. Metronidazole antibiotics are used to treat many bacterial and parasitic infections. These tablets are not used for viral infections such as cold and flu. The tablets are also used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. These medications are also called nitroimidazole antimicrobials. If the antibiotic is used without its need then it can increase the risk of getting some infection.
Metronidazole Side Effects
Common Metronidazole Side Effects:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach problem
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Mouth or tongue irritation
Major Metronidazole Side Effects:
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Metronidazole if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it. A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Metronidazole side effects.
Precautions of Metronidazole
Before taking these tablets visit your doctor and tell him if you are allergic to any of the medications. If you’re taking any medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements or any herbal products, share it with your doctor to avoid any medical emergencies.
Avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages or any tobacco product while taking Metronidazole tablets. Alcohol consumption can cause some serious illness and can lead to nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches, sweating and redness of the face.
How to Get Rid of the Side Effects?
- Nausea: Take metronidazole tablets after your meal or snacks. Avoid eating heavy or spicy meals.
- Vomiting or Diarrhea: Try drinking enough water to avoid dehydration. Take small sips of warm water if you’re vomiting. If diarrhea and vomiting lastfor more than 24 hours then consult with the doctor to avoid any medical emergencies.
How to take Metronidazole Tablets?
Metronidazole tablets are taken once in a day or it can be divided into two doses for up to 10 days. The extended-release tablets are taken at least once in a day before 1 hour or after 2 hours of meal. Follow the directions that are prescribed in the prescription or consult a doctor before taking the medicines.
Swallow the full tablets without crushing or breaking it. Drink enough water to avoid vomiting. Try to complete the full dosage of the tablets even after you feel better.
What are the Forms of Metronidazole?
Generic: Metronidazole (tablets) -250 mg, 500 mg
What is the Recommended Dosage?
- Adult dosage: Dosage depends on the infection type
- Bacterial Infection: Take 500 mg dose four times a day for at least 7-19 days.
- Amoebic infections: Take 500 mg or 750 mg dose three times a day for 5-10 days.
- Trichomoniasis: Take 250 mg dose three times a day for 7 days
What Should One Do if Miss a Dose?
Missing one or two doses of Metronidazole won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
What Should be Done in Case of an Overdose?
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Metronidazole tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
What are the Warnings of Metronidazole?
People with Serious Health Conditions:
People with liver disease
If a person is suffering from liver disease try avoiding the usage of this drug. Or before taking Metronidazole tell your doctors about the problems you are facing.
People with kidney disease
If you are having kidney disease then your body may process the drug very slowly. This can increase the amount of drug and it can increase the high risk of side effects.
Pregnant women
Metronidazole is not evaluated for pregnant women. If a woman is using the drug during her pregnancy there is no such high risk of pregnancy loss, birth defects or any other problems. But to be on the safe side, consult your doctor before taking the medicine.
Breastfeeding
Metronidazole passes into the breast milk. It can cause some side effects to children who are breastfed. These can include diarrhea, vomiting and rash. Before taking Metronidazole while breastfeeding consult your doctor.
How to Store Metronidazole Tablets?
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Metronidazole consult your Doctor. In case you face any problems or side effects after taking Metronidazole rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while traveling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor's advice whenever you take Metronidazole.
Metronidazole vs Azithromycin
Citations
Metronidazole
Safety of metronidazole in pregnancy: A meta-analysis
Emergence of reduced susceptibility to metronidazole in Clostridium difficile
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Frequently Asked Questions
Metronidazole can cause yeast infection. The symptoms that it shows are itching and discharge during or after the treatment with metronidazole infections.
Avoid the consumption of alcohol if you’re taking Metronidazole. Also, try to avoid food that contains propylene glycol. Consumption of these things can show you some major side effects like stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea and headaches.
There is no such need to avoid any dairy products while having Metronidazole tablets. Rather it should be taken with water or milk.
Chlamydia can be treated by Metronidazole tablets. 500mg one time a day or at least 7-19 days.
The special precaution for metronidazole is to avoid consuming alcohol during treatment and for at least 48 hours after discontinuing the medication. Combining metronidazole with alcohol can cause severe nausea, vomiting, flushing, and headache due to a disulfiram-like reaction.
When taking metronidazole, it's essential to monitor for signs of potential side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste in the mouth, and neurological symptoms like dizziness or headache. Additionally, healthcare providers may monitor liver function tests periodically due to the potential for liver toxicity with prolonged use.
