Metronidazole 400mg what is it used to treat

Doing so can cause dangerous effects in your body. Using it with metronidazole can cause psychotic reactions. Symptoms can include:. Taking metronidazole with certain medications raises your risk of side effects. This is because the amount of either drug may be increased in your body. Examples include:. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:. The kidneys and liver of older adults may not work as well as they used to.

This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time.

This increases your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Metronidazole oral tablets may cause certain serious conditions that affect the nervous system.

These conditions include:. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room. In some cases, taking it again could lead to death. You should stop using drinks that contain alcohol at least three days before starting metronidazole. Also avoid alcohol for three more days after you stop treatment with this drug.

For people with liver disease: Your liver helps process this drug. If you have severe liver disease, your liver may process this drug more slowly.

This would increase the amount of the drug in your body and raise your risk of side effects. Your doctor may lower your dosage of metronidazole or have you take it less often. For people with kidney disease: Your kidneys help clear this drug from your body. If you have severe kidney disease, your kidneys may process this drug more slowly.

Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. Swallow metronidazole tablets with plenty of water. Take them with a meal or a snack. In this article About metronidazole What is metronidazole?

What is metronidazole used to treat? Before taking metronidazole How to take metronidazole Getting the most from your treatment Metronidazole side-effects How to store metronidazole Important information about all medicines. Metronidazole for bacterial infection Flagyl In this article About metronidazole What is metronidazole? Metronidazole side-effects What can I do if I experience this? Feeling sick nausea or being sick vomiting Stick to simple foods.

Make sure you take your doses after a meal or a snack Changes in the way things taste, furred tongue, sore mouth Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable mouthwash Lack of appetite This should soon pass, but in the meantime choose food that you usually enjoy. There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking metronidazole will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant.

However, very rarely, some people suffer from drowsiness or blurred vision. Do not drive or ride a bike until you stop feeling drowsy and your vision is clear.

Do not drink alcohol while you're taking metronidazole, including for 2 days afterwards. This gives the medicine time to leave your body. This is important because metronidazole can react with alcohol to cause a number of side effects. These include feeling and being sick, stomach pain, hot flushes, a pounding heartbeat palpitations and a headache. You must not have any alcohol in either your food or drink while taking metronidazole - and for 2 days afterwards.

Page last reviewed: 6 December Next review due: 6 December Metronidazole On this page About metronidazole Key facts Who can and cannot take metronidazole Tablets, liquid or suppositories Cream or gel Vaginal gel Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About metronidazole Metronidazole is an antibiotic. Metronidazole is only available on prescription.

Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? The most common side effects of metronidazole tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, and a slight metallic taste in your mouth. Do not drink alcohol while taking a course of metronidazole tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel, or for 2 days after finishing treatment.

Alcohol can cause side effects such as feeling and being sick, stomach pain, hot flushes, a pounding heartbeat palpitations and a headache. For most infections, you'll start to feel better in a few days but for some it may take longer. When treating rosacea, you may only notice a difference after several weeks.

Metronidazole tablets or suppositories are called by the brand name Flagyl. Metronidazole cream is called by the brand names Rosiced or Rozex. To make sure the tablets, liquid or suppositories are safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or any other medicines in the past are pregnant or breastfeeding have liver problems are having dialysis feel you will not be able to stop drinking alcohol while using metronidazole To make sure the external cream or gel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or any other medicines including any creams or ointments in the past are pregnant or breastfeeding To make sure the vaginal gel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or any other medicines in the past are pregnant or breastfeeding have liver problems feel you will not be able to stop drinking alcohol while using metronidazole think you may have vaginal thrush.

How long should I take it for? Important Carry on taking this medicine until you have finished the course, even if you feel better. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? How to put it on Put a thin layer of cream or gel onto the area you're treating and rub it in very gently.

How long should I use it for? Important Carry on using this medicine until you have finished the course, even if you feel better. What if I forget to use it? What if I use too much? How to use it Follow the instructions that come in the packaging along with your medicine. Do not have sex while using the vaginal gel. If you accidentally use too much gel it's unlikely to harm you. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried. Common side effects of tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: feeling sick nausea being sick vomiting or diarrhoea metallic taste in your mouth or a furry tongue Serious side effects of tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.

Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to metronidazole. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sick nausea — stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. May harm an unborn baby. Do not use metronidazole to treat trichomoniasis during the first trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Not all uses of metronidazole are approved for treating children and teenagers. Metronidazole is not approved to treat vaginal infections in girls who have not begun having menstrual periods.

Metronidazole has caused cancer in animal studies. However, it is not known whether this would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk. You should not breastfeed within 24 hours after using metronidazole. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out the milk and do not feed it to your baby. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction hives, itching, warmth or tingling; fever, joint pain; dry mouth, dry vagina; stuffy nose, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat or a severe skin reaction fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling.

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 :. 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.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. While taking metronidazole and for 3 days after your last dose: Do not drink alcohol or consume foods, medicines, or other products that contain alcohol or propylene glycol. You may have unpleasant effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and warmth or tingling under your skin.

Use Metronidazole Flagyl exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.