Metronidazole is an antibiotic drug developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration and initially approved on 24 Nov 1998, for treating various bacterial infections.

Metronidazole helps to treat various bacterial infections and gynecological infections. It is also helpful in preventing postoperative infections.

Metronidazole will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered as an intravenous injection into a vein. Your physician will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Metronidazole are diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, fever, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, depressed mood, and poor sleep. Some serious side effects also include severe allergic reaction (which may cause sudden faintness, severe breathlessness, abdominal pain, or swelling of the face, tongue and throat), severe neurological effects (convulsion or fits, brain disease, disorder of the nerves which can causes loss of vision or speech disorder), inflammation of your pancreas which may cause pain in your belly with radiation through the back (pancreatitis), severe skin effects (erythema, serious illness with blistering of the skin, mouth, and genitals and skin peeling), and unexpected infections, mouth ulcers, bruising, bleeding gums, or severe tiredness.

Suppose you have a history of jaundice or liver problems that occurred while taking Metronidazole or other macrolide antibiotics in the past. In that case, informing your physician about this medical history is important. Individuals who have previously experienced those conditions may have an increased risk of developing further liver problems or experiencing a recurrence of jaundice if exposed to the drug again. Your doctor will consider this information when prescribing medications and may recommend alternative antibiotics that are less likely to cause liver problems or choose a different approach to manage your condition.

This drug can increase the chance of side effects that affect the heart, particularly by prolonging the QT interval. Prolongation of the QT interval leads to a serious heart rhythm abnormality called torsades de pointes. Before taking Metronidazole, it is important to be aware of the side effects and discuss them with your healthcare provider. It is advised to avoid using the drug if you are mainly allergic to it or its ingredients.

It is necessary to complete the full dose regimen of Metronidazole as prescribed, even if you start feeling better before the treatment ends. Stopping the medication can lead to incomplete eradication of the infection, allowing the bacteria to become even more resistant. Talk to your physician if you develop any symptoms that worsen, or if it does not improve after taking this drug. They may need to reassess your condition and adjust your treatment if necessary. This medicine is prescribed specifically for your condition, and it is highly advised not to share it with others, even if they have related symptoms.

1. Baxter Healthcare Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [ Revised on July 2017] [ Accessed on 28th July 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1842.pdf
2. Pfizer Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on June 2013] [Accessed on 28th July 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/018353s026lbl.pdf
3. Goodman & Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Chemotherapy of Microbial Diseases, 12th edition, 2011,1428.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antiamoebic and other antiprotozoal drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 837.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.