Metronidazole

CAUTION:
Metronidazole can cause cancer in laboratory animals. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

General Information and Indications:

Metronidazole eliminates bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infections of the reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, vagina, and other areas of the body. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
 

Information For Users:

Metronidazole comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day for 5-10 days or longer. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take metronidazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to metronidazole or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), astemizole (Hismanal), disulfiram (Antabuse), lithium (Lithobid), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding blood, kidney, or liver disease or Crohn's disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking metronidazole, call your doctor.
o know that you should not drink alcohol while taking this drug. Alcohol may cause an upset stomach, vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches, sweating, and flushing (redness of the face).
o plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Metronidazole may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Though adverse effects of metronidazole are not common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o vomiting
o diarrhea
o upset stomach
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o dry mouth; sharp, unpleasant metallic taste
o reddish-brown or dark urine
o furry tongue; mouth or tongue irritation
o tingling or numbness of hands or feet ( paresthesia)

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:

o rash
o itching
o stuffy nose
o fever
o joint pain

Brand Name(s):

o Flagyl I.V.®
o Flagyl®
o Flagyl® 375
o Flagyl® ER
o Flagyl® I.V. RTU®
o Helidac® Therapy