What is metronidazole tablet for? | Green positive pharmacy magazine

Metronidazole is one of the widely used antibiotics that many doctors prescribe to treat bacterial infections in different parts of the body. Have you been prescribed metronidazole? Any information you are looking for regarding this pill, we will provide you in this article.

What is metronidazole?

You are not allowed to take metronidazole tablets without a doctor’s prescription. Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the vagina, stomach, liver, skin, joints, brain and spinal cord, lungs, heart, or bloodstream. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite. Metronidazole is also used to treat this disease. If a person is infected with this disease, his sexual partner is also treated at the same time; Even if there are no symptoms.

Metronidazole is not suitable for viral infections such as colds and flu and is not prescribed. Sometimes stomach or intestinal ulcers are also treated with metronidazole if they have a bacterial cause.

Necessary precautions before taking metronidazole tablets

If you are allergic to metronidazole, secnidazole or tinidazole, you should not use this medicine. Also, this drug should not be used in the following cases:

• If the person has consumed alcohol within the last 3 days.
• If the person has eaten foods or medicines containing propylene glycol in the last 3 days.
• In the last 14 days, the person has taken disulfiram (Antabuse).
• Metronidazole should not be used to treat trichomoniasis in the first trimester of pregnancy. In case of pregnancy, you must inform your doctor.
• Metronidazole is not approved for the treatment of vaginal infections in girls who have not yet menstruated.
• The child should not be breastfed for 24 hours after taking metronidazole.

To be sure, if you have the following problems, inform your doctor before starting to take Metronidazole:

• Liver and kidney diseases
• Heart rhythm disorder
• Anemia (lack of red or white blood cells)
• Fungal infection anywhere on the body
• Nervous disorder

Metronidazole has caused cancer in animal studies. However, it is not clear whether this complication occurs in humans or not. So never use metronidazole arbitrarily.

Different forms of Metronidazole

In Iran, you can find metronidazole in the form of oral tablets and suspensions, vaginal gels and suppositories, injection vials, topical gels, and ready-to-inject bags. One of the famous brands of metronidazole tablets is Metromax.

In what cases is metronidazole prescribed?

When the cause of a disease is an anaerobic bacterium or protozoa, metronidazole is used for treatment. These bacteria usually cause infection in parts of the body that are closed and lack oxygen. For example: gums, pelvic cavity and abdomen like intestines. This medicine is often used to treat female genital (vaginal) infections that have a bacterial agent. In order to prevent infection, metronidazole is sometimes prescribed before genital and abdominal surgeries. Metronidazole tablets are used along with amoxicillin in treatment regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection.

How to take metronidazole tablets

Regarding how to use Metronidazole, pay attention to the following:

• Use metronidazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage should be determined by the doctor.
• Read your prescription and the drug leaflet carefully.
• Oral metronidazole and its injectable form should be used as an injection in a vein. If the person cannot use this medicine by mouth, this medicine will be injected for him.
• Shake the oral suspension of this medicine before use and use the spoon in the product to measure the dose you are using.
• Swallow metronidazole extended-release tablets whole and avoid crushing, chewing, or breaking them.
• If you have symptoms of a vaginal infection and are being treated, your partner may also need metronidazole.
• In order to make this medicine more effective, it is better to use it every day at a specific time.
• If you are using metronidazole vaginal suppository, remove the suppository from the cover and lie on your back. Bend your knees and press the suppository with your finger so that it goes inside. Stay in this position for a few minutes until the medicine is completely in its proper place.

The course of metronidazole

In general, doctors usually recommend that the oral form of this medicine be used 2 to 3 times a day. Metronidazole is often prescribed for a 10-day course. However, according to the doctor’s order, the use can be continued for a maximum of 14 days. This medicine is better to be used with a snack or after a meal.

Side effects of metronidazole tablets

If you notice signs of an allergic reaction to metronidazole, inform your doctor immediately. These symptoms include the following:

• Hives, itching, warmth or tingling, fever, joint pain, dry mouth, dry vagina, stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat. Symptoms of an allergic skin reaction include: fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blisters.

You should also contact your doctor in the following cases:

• Worsening of the infection and new symptoms
• Feeling pain and discomfort when urinating
• confusion
• feeling light-headed (like fainting)
• Itching and discharge from the vagina
• Blisters or sores in the mouth, red or swollen gums, difficulty swallowing.

The following side effects may occur during long-term use of metronidazole. In this case, the drug should be stopped immediately and the doctor should be informed:

• Numbness, tingling, or pain and burning in the hands or feet
• Visual disturbances such as pain behind the eyes
• Muscle weakness, problems with speech or body coordination
• Difficulty speaking or understanding what is said to you
• convulsions
• Fever, neck stiffness and increased sensitivity to light.

In people with cocaine syndrome, metronidazole can cause severe liver problems. If you have this complication, stop taking this medicine. Also, if you have nausea, stomach pain, dark urine and yellow skin and eyes, call your doctor. The side effects of this drug may be more common in the elderly. Other common side effects that may occur after taking this drug include:

• Depression, difficulty sleeping, feeling irritable
• Headache, dizziness and weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain
• Diarrhea, constipation
• Unpleasant taste of metal
• Skin rash and itching
• Vaginal itching or discharge, pain during sex
• Ulcers in the mouth

Apart from the mentioned cases, there may be other side effects related to the use of this medicine.

Drug interaction of metronidazole

Some drugs can interact with other drugs, increase side effects, or reduce the effectiveness of the drug. If you plan to use metronidazole tablets, inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking so that he can check for drug interactions. The most important drugs that interact with metronidazole include:

• Antidepressants
• Asthma medicine
• Busulfan or other cancer drugs
• Heart or blood pressure medications
• Lithium or other antipsychotic drugs
• Medicines used to treat malaria, HIV or other infections
• Blood thinners such as warfarin, Coumadin, and Johntoven.

Of course, this list is not complete and metronidazole may even interact with herbal medicines and vitamins. So you should consult a doctor.

Metronidazole tablets for vaginal infection

If vaginal infections in women are caused by anaerobic bacteria, one of the most effective drugs to solve this problem is undoubtedly metronidazole vaginal tablets. This medicine should be taken with the applicator and as directed by the doctor. It is better to use this medicine at night before going to sleep so that you can remain lying down afterwards. If the doctor has ordered, you should continue taking this medicine even during menstruation.

Not every type of infection in the vagina can be treated with metronidazole. So do not use this medicine arbitrarily. Be careful that the course of treatment must be completed in order to achieve the desired result.

Use of metronidazole during pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should inform your doctor before taking metronidazole. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, the use of metronidazole is strictly prohibited. This drug is classified in group X and increases the possibility of organ defects or death of the fetus. It is not recommended to breastfeed a child while taking metronidazole; unless advised by a doctor.

What is metronidazole gel?

The use of this medicine is allowed only on the skin and you should avoid using it in the mouth, nose, eyes, ears and vagina. This gel should not be placed next to flammable substances. Metronidazole vaginal gel is another type of this drug that is used to treat vaginal infections. You should take this medicine using an applicator. Avoid using vaginal douche while using this medicine.

last word

Metronidazole tablet is in the group of widely used antibiotics, which is better to have some information about. Metronidazole is prescribed to treat infections that have a bacterial origin. Enter your questions about this pill in the comments section so that the doctors active in the positive green group will answer you as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions about metronidazole tablets