Health Tips for Metronidazole

• It is important to abstain from alcohol while taking this medicine and for at least 24 hours after completing the course of treatment. Combining alcohol with this medication can lead to severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and flushing
• Drink plenty of water while taking this medicine to maintain proper hydration. This can help prevent constipation, another potential side effect of the medication
• Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache

Uses of Metronidazole

Metronidazole is used to treat and prevent various bacterial and parasitic infections in the body such as intra-abdominal infections (Ex. peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess and liver abscess), skin and skin structure infections, genital tract infections (Ex. endometritis, endomyometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess), blood infections (Ex. sepsis), bone and joint infections, brain infections (Ex. meningitis), respiratory tract infections (Ex. pneumonia, lung abscess), and infections on the membranes covering the heart (endocarditis).

It helps to control infection and inflammation in certain skin problems, such as rosacea (skin redness and flushing with or without small red pus-filled pustules on the skin) and acne. It is also helpful in the treatment of wound infections, diabetic foot ulcers and vaginal infections.

It is used to treat various bacterial and parasitic infections in the body such as amoebiasis, giardiasis (parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea with stomach cramps), trichomonas vaginitis (parasitic infection of the genital tract), infections of the blood, brain, lungs, bones, stomach (Ex. H. pylori infection), pelvis, urinary tract, genital tract (vaginal infections) and gums and teeth (Ex. gingivitis or other dental infections).

Therapeutic Category

Metronidazole: Antiprotozoal drugs (nitroimidazole antimicrobials)

How Metronidazole works

Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal agent with antibacterial properties. It works by killing the bacteria and parasites that cause infections in the body. This, destroys the infection causing germs within the body and prevents their further growth and multiplication which therefore reduces the severity of the infection.

Common side effects of Metronidazole

• lack of appetite
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• metallic taste in mouth
• stomach cramps
• headache, dizziness
• inflammation of tongue, swollen tongue
• dry mouth
• flushing of skin, skin rash and itching
• genital itching
• pharyngitis and sinusitis

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor:

• In case of accidental overdosage
• If you experience fits (seizures)
• If you experience signs of brain disease called encephalopathy (such as fever, stiff neck, headache, seeing things which aren’t there, confusion, difficulties in using your arms and legs, problems with speaking)
• If you experience inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis) causing fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, headache, extreme light sensitivity
• If you experience nerve damage causing tingling or numbness of body parts especially in the hands and feet
• If you experience signs of severe allergic reactions (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
• If you experience severe stomach pain which may reach through to your back (signs of inflammation in the pancreas)
• If you experience signs of a liver problem (such as yellowing of skin and eyes)
• If you experience severe skin reactions (such as widespread skin rash, blistering, peeling or bleeding on any part of the skin with fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes and malaise or pink or reddish skin lesions on palms or soles)