Brand Names: FIRST Metronidazole, Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl ER, Metryl, Protostat

Generic Name: metronidazole

What is metronidazole?
What are the possible side effects of metronidazole?
What is the most important information I should know about metronidazole?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metronidazole?
How should I take metronidazole?
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I overdose?
What should I avoid while taking metronidazole?
What other drugs will affect metronidazole?
Where can I get more information?

What is metronidazole?

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections of the vagina, stomach, liver, skin, joints, brain, and respiratory tract. Metronidazole will not treat a vaginal yeast infection.

Metronidazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

000251821_PB

oblong, blue, imprinted with 500, FLAGYL

000251831_PB

round, blue, imprinted with SEARLE 1831, FLAGYL 250

005912521_PB

round, white, imprinted with WPI, 3969

005915215_PB

oblong, white, imprinted with 3970, WPI

009041453_PB

round, white, imprinted with PLIVA 333

501110333_PB

round, white, imprinted with PLIVA 333

501110334_PB

oblong, white, imprinted with PLIVA 334

Flagyl 375 mg

capsule, gray/green, imprinted with FLAGYL, 375mg

Flagyl 500 mg

oblong, blue, imprinted with 500, FLAGYL

Flagyl ER 750 mg

elliptical, blue, imprinted with SEARLE 1961, FLAGYL ER

Metronidazole 250 mg 231550651

round, white, imprinted with MCR 104

Metronidazole 250 mg 643800779

round, blue, imprinted with M 250

Metronidazole 250 mg 683820850

round, white, imprinted with 850

Metronidazole 250 mg-DAN

round, white, imprinted with DAN, 5540

Metronidazole 250 mg-MUT

round, white, imprinted with MP 45

Metronidazole 250 mg-SID

round, white, imprinted with SL 333

Metronidazole 250 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with 93, 851

Metronidazole 250 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with 5540, DAN

metronidazole 500 mg 231550065

Metronidazole 500 mg 231550652

oval, white, imprinted with MCR 105

Metronidazole 500 mg 643800780

oblong, blue, imprinted with M500

Metronidazole 500 mg 683820851

oval, white, imprinted with 851

Metronidazole 500 mg-MUT

oval, white, imprinted with MP 46

Metronidazole 500 mg-SCH

round, white, imprinted with 5552, DAN DAN

Metronidazole 500 mg-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 93 93, 852

Metronidazole 500 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with 5552, DAN DAN

Metronidazole 500mg-SID

oblong, white, imprinted with SL 334

What are the possible side effects of metronidazole?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

diarrhea;
painful or difficult urination;
trouble sleeping, depression, irritability;
headache, dizziness, weakness;
a light-headed feeling (like you might pass out); or
blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing.

Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor right away if you have neurologic side effects (more likely to occur while taking metronidazole long term):

numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
vision problems, pain behind your eyes, seeing flashes of light;
muscle weakness, problems with coordination;
trouble speaking or understanding what is said to you;
a seizure; or
fever, neck stiffness, and increased sensitivity to light.

Metronidazole can cause life-threatening liver problems in people with Cockayne syndrome. If you have this condition, stop taking metronidazole and contact your doctor if you have signs of liver failure--nausea, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain;
diarrhea, constipation;
unpleasant metallic taste;
rash, itching;
vaginal itching or discharge;
mouth sores; or
swollen, red, or "hairy" tongue.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about metronidazole?

You should not use metronidazole if you have taken disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 2 weeks.

Do not drink alcohol or consume foods or medicines that contain propylene glycol while you are taking metronidazole and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metronidazole?

You should not take metronidazole if you are allergic to it, or if you have taken disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 2 weeks.

Do not take metronidazole during the first trimester of pregnancy. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver or kidney disease;
Cockayne syndrome (a rare genetic disorder);
a stomach or intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease;
a blood cell disorder such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
a fungal infection anywhere in your body; or
a nerve disorder.

In animal studies, metronidazole caused certain types of tumors, some of which were cancerous. However, very high doses are used in animal studies. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Metronidazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed within 24 hours after using metronidazole. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take metronidazole?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

If you are treating a vaginal infection, your sexual partner may also need to take metronidazole (even if no symptoms are present) or you could become reinfected.

Metronidazole is usually given for up to 10 days in a row. You may need to repeat this dosage several weeks later.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Metronidazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using metronidazole.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

SLIDESHOW

Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See Slideshow

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and loss of balance or coordination.

What should I avoid while taking metronidazole?

Do not drink alcohol or consume food or medicines that contain propylene glycol while you are taking metronidazole. You may have unpleasant side effects such as headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Avoid alcohol or propylene glycol for at least 3 days after you stop taking metronidazole. Check the labels of any medicines or food products you use to make sure they do not contain alcohol or propylene glycol.

What other drugs will affect metronidazole?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

busulfan;
lithium; or
a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect metronidazole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about metronidazole.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

metronidazole (oral/injection) (FIRST Metronidazole, Flagyl, Flagyl 375)