Metronidazole

The dose of metronidazole depends on the condition being treated. The usual adult dose of metronidazole is 500 mg taken by mouth every 8 hours or twice daily. For treatment of trichomoniasis, a single dose of 2,000 mg may be taken orally after a meal. Many other doses exist according to the infection being treated, and range from 250 mg taken by mouth 2 times daily to 750 mg taken by mouth 3 times daily.

Metronidazole may be taken with or without food. If it causes stomach upset, it is best taken with food or milk.

Metronidazole vaginal cream or gel is used for vaginal infections. The dose is applied into the vagina usually once or twice a day. See the package insert or talk to your health care provider about how to use the applicator correctly.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Metronidazole regularly and exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Keep taking Metronidazole until the prescription is complete even if you feel better. If you stop taking the medication too early, the infection may return and be harder to treat.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Metronidazole at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause diarrhea; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause a metallic aftertaste; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may give urine a dark colour. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

250 mg
Each white, round biconvex film coated tablet engraved with "250" on one side contains 250 mg of metronidazole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate.

500 mg
Each pale green and light grey capsule embossed with "500" contains 500 mg of metronidazole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, and stearic acid. Capsule shell: gelatin, D&C Red No. 33, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Blue No. 11, FD&C Green No. 3, talc, and titanium dioxide. Edible ink contains: black iron oxide, shellac glaze, propylene glycol, FD&C Blue No. 2, and FD&C Red No. 40.

Do not take Metronidazole if you:

• are allergic to metronidazole or any ingredients of the medication
• have a history of blood disorders
• have a brain (neurological) disorder
• have an underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
• have underactive adrenal glands (hypoadrenalism)

There may be an interaction between metronidazole and any of the following:

• 5-fluorouracil
• alcohol
• bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
• Busulfan
• Capecitabine
• chloroquine
• Cholera vaccine
• Cyclosporine
• disulfiram
• lithium
• lopinavir
• mebendazole
• mycophenolate
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• primidone
• ritonavir
• sodium picosulfate
• typhoid vaccine (live)
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Metronidazole. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Metronidazole.

Alcohol: A severe set of side effects including nausea, vomiting, and rapid heartbeat may occur if you drink alcohol while taking metronidazole. If you are taking Metronidazole, wait until at least one day after finishing metronidazole treatment before drinking alcohol.

Antibiotic-related diarrhea: As with other antibacterials, metronidazole can in rare instances cause a severe form of diarrhea associated with a condition known as pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop severe diarrhea while taking (or within a few weeks of taking) Metronidazole, contact your doctor.

Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as metronidazole may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better early in your course of treatment with metronidazole, you need to take the full course exactly as directed to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold. Do not take metronidazole or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as The Common Cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.

Birth control: Ingredients in metronidazole vaginal cream may cause condoms and diaphragms to become less effective. Alternative forms of birth control should be considered while using Metronidazole.

Blood cell counts: Metronidazole may cause low white blood cell counts, which can mean your immune system is weak. If you develop a fever, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may also perform blood tests regularly to monitor your blood cell counts if you are taking Metronidazole for a long period of time.

Confusion/dizziness: Metronidazole may cause confusion or dizziness, affecting the physical and mental abilities needed to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving or other tasks requiring alertness until you know how Metronidazole affects you.

Liver disease: Decreased liver function or liver disease may cause Metronidazole to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Metronidazole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Metronidazole, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Metronidazole.

Neurological side effects: Stop treatment with metronidazole and see your doctor if muscle incoordination, seizures, or numbness or tingling in the hands or feet occur.

Pancreatitis: Metronidazole can cause the pancreas to become inflamed. If you have a history of pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how Metronidazole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Metronidazole, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Report signs of pancreatitis such as abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, or swollen abdomen to your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Metronidazole crosses the placenta and may affect the development of the baby if it taken by the mother while she is pregnant. Metronidazole should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Metronidazole, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Metronidazole passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking metronidazole, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Metronidazole have not been established for children.

This medication is typically used 2 or 3 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, a treatment with this medication lasts several days. Take it for the entire time prescribed in order to achieve the medication's full benefit. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may irritate the stomach, and should be taken with food. It is best to avoid coffee, spicy food or alcohol. Avoid consuming alcohol or alcohol-containing products while taking this medication and for several days after the medication is discontinued. Consuming alcohol while taking this medication may cause vomiting and painful cramps.