What does metronidazole treat in humans

For women who are breastfeeding: Metronidazole may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. For seniors: The kidneys and liver of older adults may not work as well as they used to.

Metronidazole tablets are used for short-term treatment. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose can include increased side effects, such as:. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember.

But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Doctors advise people to avoid drinking alcohol when taking the antibiotic Flagyl. This is because serious drug interactions and side effects can…. Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina.

Symptoms include a grayish discharge…. Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection. There are often no symptoms, but it can lead to complications. It is treatable with…. A parasite is an organism that lives in or on another organism. It depends on its host for survival, and it might cause disease or other types of harm. It is linked to the development of stomach ulcers…. Highlights for metronidazole.

What is metronidazole? Metronidazole side effects. Metronidazole may interact with other medications. How to take metronidazole. When metronidazole cream or gel is prescribed for rosacea, you'll normally use it twice a day for about 2 months. Treatment can sometimes last longer. If you're using the cream or gel for a skin infection, or infected ulcers or wounds, it's usual to put it on once or twice a day. Follow your doctor or pharmacist's instructions, and continue treatment until your infection has healed.

Put a thin layer of cream or gel onto the area you're treating and rub it in very gently. Try to avoid getting it into your eyes, as it can sting. If you do get some in your eye, wash it out immediately with cold water. It's very important to keep using metronidazole cream or gel for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Carry on using this medicine until you have finished the course, even if you feel better. If you forget to use metronidazole cream or gel, put it on as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.

Do not use it more than twice a day unless your doctor tells you to. Then continue to use the cream or gel at the usual time. If you put on too much cream or gel - or if you get some in your mouth - it's unlikely to harm you. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried, or if you or your child accidentally swallow a lot of it.

For treating bacterial vaginosis, you'll use an applicator to put the metronidazole gel into your vagina. The usual dose is 1 applicator full, every night for 5 nights. It's recommended that you do not use the gel while having your period. Follow the instructions that come in the packaging along with your medicine.

These will tell you how to fill the applicator with gel and put it into your vagina. It's very important to keep using metronidazole vaginal gel for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. If you forget to use metronidazole vaginal gel, use it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your usual dose.

Do not use it more than once a night. Then continue to use the gel at the usual time. It's unusual to have side effects when using metronidazole cream or gel. However there can be some common side effects with the tablets, suppositories or vaginal gel. Do not drink alcohol while taking the tablets or liquid or using the vaginal gel or suppositories.

It can give you severe side effects such as feeling or being sick, stomach pain, hot flushes, a pounding heartbeat palpitations and a headache. After finishing your treatment, wait for 2 days before drinking alcohol again. This allows the metronidazole to leave your body. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to metronidazole.

These are not all the side effects of metronidazole tablets, cream, gel, suppositories or vaginal gel. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. It's generally safe to use metronidazole while you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you're breastfeeding, take care when applying metronidazole cream or gel.

Make sure you do not accidentally get it on your breasts. If this happens, wash off any cream or gel from your breasts before feeding your baby. Metronidazole cream or gel is not known to cause any problems with other medicines. However, there are some medicines that don't mix well with the tablets, suppositories, liquid or vaginal gel.

Tell your doctor before you start taking metronidazole tablets, suppositories, liquid or vaginal gel if you're taking these medicines :. There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies and supplements alongside metronidazole. However, some remedies and supplements that come as liquids that you drink may also contain alcohol. Check the list of ingredients or ask the supplier or manufacturer. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

Metronidazole is an antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of the bacteria or parasites causing the infection. For most infections, you should feel better within a few days. With serious swelling including dental infections , the medicine will start working within a few days but it may take longer before your symptoms start to get better. For some of the infections that metronidazole is used for, you may only begin to notice an improvement after a week.

When using the cream or gel to treat rosacea, you may have to wait a few weeks before you see any improvement. It's very important that you keep taking metronidazole until the course is finished. Do this even if you feel better. It will help stop the infection coming back.

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. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Metronidazole injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth. Shake the oral suspension liquid.

Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device not a kitchen spoon. If you are treating a vaginal infection, your sexual partner may also need to take metronidazole so you don't become reinfected. Metronidazole is usually given for up to 10 days in a row. You may need to repeat this dosage several weeks later. Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication.

Metronidazole will not treat a viral infection flu or a common cold. Metronidazole will not treat a vaginal yeast infection. You may even develop a new vaginal yeast infection, which may need to be treated with antifungal medication. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms such as itching or discharge during or after treatment with metronidazole.

Do not share this medicine with another person , even if they have the same symptoms you have. This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using metronidazole. 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.