A synthetic antimicrobial drug, C6H9N3O3, used in the treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis, anaerobic bacterial infections, and intestinal amebiasis.
[ME(THYL) + -tron- (alteration of NITRO–) + (IM)IDAZOLE.]
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A synthetic antimicrobial drug, C6H9N3O3, used in the treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis, anaerobic bacterial infections, and intestinal amebiasis.
[ME(THYL) + -tron- (alteration of NITRO–) + (IM)IDAZOLE.]
A generic synthetic antibacterial compound available for both oral and intravenous use. Metronidazole is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. In dentistry, metronidazole is used in the treatment of HIV, gingivitis, and HIV periodontitis.
Brand names: Flagyl®, MetroCream®, MetroGel®, Metrolotion®, Metron, Noritate, Nydamax®, Rozex®, Vandazole
Chemical formula:

Metronidazole skin gel, cream, or lotion
What is metronidazole skin gel, cream, or lotion?
METRONIDAZOLE (Metrogel®, MetroCream®, MetroLotion, Noritate) is an antibacterial agent. It kills or prevents the growth of certain bacteria. Metronidazole treats rosacea, also known as adult acne. It reduces redness and inflammation, and the number of pimples. Generic metronidazole gel and lotion are not available. Generic metronidazole cream is available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
if you drink alcoholic beverages
anemia or other blood disorders
other chronic illness
an unusual or allergic reaction to metronidazole, or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Metronidazole skin gel, cream or lotion is for external use only. Do not take by mouth or use in the vagina. It must not be used in or near the eyes. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash the affected area with mild soap and water; pat dry before applying the gel or cream. Apply a small amount of gel, cream or lotion to the affected area and rub gently. Wash hands before and after application. Use at regular intervals. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What drug(s) may interact with metronidazole?
Interactions with this skin gel, cream, or lotion are unlikely. Caution should be taken with:
alcohol
warfarin
Do not use any other skin products without telling your prescriber or health care professional.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking metronidazole?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your skin does not improve in 3 weeks. Further healing can take up to 12 weeks.
Do not get the gel, cream or lotion in or near your eyes; if you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water.
You can use makeup while using this medicine. Only use water-based products and apply lightly. You may also be able to use sunscreens or moisturizers, ask your prescriber. Wait at least 5 minutes after applying the metronidazole before applying any of these additional products.
What side effects may I notice from using metronidazole?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
if a new skin condition or rash develops; or if rosacea worsens
loss of feeling or tingling of treated area
nausea
Side effects recorded include (report to your prescriber or health care professional if these continue or are bothersome):
burning, itching, or redness
dry skin
watering eyes
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Last updated: 7/1/2002
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
An antimicrobial compound effective against protozoa and anaerobic bacteria. Commonly used to treat trichomoniasis, amebiasis, giardiasis and balantidiasis.
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Metronidazole
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | A01 D06BX01, G01AF01, J01XD01, P01AB01 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C6H9N3O3 |
| Mol. mass | 171.15 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 100% (oral) 59–94% (rectal) |
| Metabolism | Hepatic |
| Half life | 6–7 hours |
| Excretion | Renal (60-80%), biliary (6–15%) |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
B2 (Au) |
| Legal status | |
| Routes | Oral, topical, rectal, IV, vaginal |
Metronidazole (INN) (IPA: [mɛtrəˈnaɪdəzoʊl]) is a nitroimidazole anti-infective drug used mainly in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible organisms, particularly anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. It is marketed by Pfizer under the trade name Flagyl, and also by various generic manufacturers, who sell it at a cheaper price. Metronidazole is also used in the treatment of the dermatological condition rosacea, where it is marketed by Galderma under the trade names Rozex and MetroGel.
Metronidazole is a prodrug. It is converted in anaerobic
organisms by the redox enzyme pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase. The nitro group of metronidazole is chemically reduced by ferredoxin (or a
ferredoxin-linked metabolic process) and the products are responsible for disrupting the DNA helical
structure, thus inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis.
Metronidazole is selectively taken up by anaerobic bacteria and sensitive protozoal organisms because of the ability of these organisms to reduce metronidazole to its active form intracellularly.
Systemic metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of:
Topical metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of rosacea, and has been used in the treatment of malodorous fungating wounds.[1]
Metronidazole has also been used in women to prevent preterm birth associated with bacterial vaginosis, amongst other risk factors including the presence of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin (fFN). A randomised controlled trial demonstrated that metronidazole was ineffective in preventing preterm delivery in high-risk pregnant women and, conversely, the incidence of preterm delivery was actually higher in women treated with metronidazole.[2]
Lamont has argued that Metronidazole is not the right antibiotic to administer in these circumstances and was often administered too late to be of use. Clindamycin administered early in the second trimester to women who test positive for bacterial vaginosis seems to be more effective. [3]
Common adverse drug reactions (≥1% of patients) associated with systemic metronidazole therapy include: nausea, diarrhea, and/or metallic taste in the mouth. Intravenous administration is commonly associated with thrombophlebitis. Infrequent adverse effects include: hypersensitivity reactions (rash, itch, flushing, fever), headache, dizziness, vomiting, glossitis, stomatitis, dark urine, and/or paraesthesia.[1]
High doses and/or long-term systemic treatment with metronidazole is associated with the development of black hairy tongue, leukopenia, neutropenia, increased risk of peripheral neuropathy and/or CNS toxicity.[1]
Metronidazole is listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a potential human carcinogen. Although some of the testing methods have been questioned, it has been shown to cause cancer in experimental animals.[4] Nevertheless, it appears to have a fairly low potential for cancer risk and under most circumstances the benefits of treatment outweighs the risk.
Common adverse drug reactions associated with topical metronidazole therapy include local redness, dryness, and/or skin irritation; and eye watering (if applied near eyes).[1]
Co-administration of metronidazole and ethanol (alcohol) results, rarely, in a disulfiram-like reaction (nausea, vomiting, flushing, tachycardia). Consumption of alcohol should be avoided by patients during systemic metronidazole therapy and for at least 24 hours after completion of treatment.[1] However, the occurrence of this reaction in the clinical setting has recently been questioned by some authors.[5][6]
| Stomatological preparations (A01) | |
|---|---|
| Caries prophylactic agents | Sodium fluoride - Sodium monofluorophosphate - Olaflur - Stannous fluoride |
| Anti-infectives and antiseptics | Hydrogen peroxide - Chlorhexidine - Amphotericin B - Polynoxylin - Domiphen - Oxyquinoline - Neomycin - Miconazole - Natamycin - Hexetidine - Tetracycline - Benzoxonium chloride - Tibezonium iodide - Mepartricin - Metronidazole - Clotrimazole - Sodium perborate - Chlortetracycline - Doxycycline - Minocycline - Eugenol |
| Corticosteroids | Triamcinolone - Dexamethasone - Hydrocortisone |
| Other | Epinephrine - Benzydamine - Acetylsalicylic acid - Adrenalone - Amlexanox |
| Antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for dermatological use (D06) | |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics: tetracycline and derivatives | Demeclocycline - Chlortetracycline - Oxytetracycline - Tetracycline |
| Antibiotics: other | Fusidic acid - Chloramphenicol - Neomycin - Bacitracin - Gentamicin - Tyrothricin - Mupirocin - Virginiamycin - Rifaximin - Amikacin |
| Chemotherapeutics: sulfonamides | Silver sulfadiazine - Sulfathiazole - Mafenide - Sulfamethizole - Sulfanilamide - Sulfamerazine |
| Chemotherapeutics: antivirals | Idoxuridine - Tromantadine - Aciclovir - Podophyllotoxin - Inosine - Penciclovir - Lysozyme - Ibacitabine - Edoxudine - Imiquimod - Docosanol |
| Chemotherapeutics: other | Metronidazole |
| Gynecological anti-infectives and antiseptics (G01) | |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics | polyene antimycotic (Nystatin, Natamycin, Amphotericin B) - Candicidin - Chloramphenicol - Hachimycin - Oxytetracycline - Carfecillin - Mepartricin - Clindamycin - Pentamycin |
| Arsenic compounds | Acetarsol |
| Quinoline derivatives | Diiodohydroxyquinoline - Clioquinol - Chlorquinaldol - Dequalinium - Broxyquinoline - Oxyquinoline |
| Organic acids | Lactic acid - Acetic acid - Ascorbic acid |
| Sulfonamides | Sulfatolamide |
| Imidazole derivatives | Metronidazole - Clotrimazole - Miconazole - Econazole - Ornidazole - Isoconazole - Tioconazole - Ketoconazole - Fenticonazole - Azanidazole - Propenidazole - Butoconazole - Omoconazole - Oxiconazole - Flutrimazole |
| Triazole derivatives | Terconazole |
| Other | Clodantoin - Inosine - Policresulen - Nifuratel - Furazolidone - Methylrosaniline - Povidone-iodine - Ciclopirox - Protiofate - Lactobacillus fermentum - Copper usnate |
| Antibacterials for systemic use: others (J01X) | |
|---|---|
| Glycopeptide | Vancomycin - Teicoplanin |
| Polymyxins | Colistin - Polymyxin B |
| Steroid antibacterials | Fusidic acid |
| Imidazole derivatives | Metronidazole - Tinidazole - Ornidazole |
| Nitrofuran derivatives | Nitrofurantoin - Nifurtoinol |
| Other | Fosfomycin - Xibornol - Clofoctol - Spectinomycin - Methenamine - Mandelic acid - Nitroxoline - Linezolid - Daptomycin - Hitachimycin |
| Agents against amoebiasis and other protozoal diseases (P01A) | |
|---|---|
| Hydroxyquinoline derivatives | Clioquinol - Iodoquinol |
| Nitroimidazole derivatives | Metronidazole - Tinidazole - Ornidazole - Secnidazole |
| Other | Atovaquone - Emetine - Fumagillin - Trimetrexate |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
| Metronidazole Fish Zole | metronidazole 250 mg tab |
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![]() | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Veterinary Dictionary. The Veterinary Dictionary. Copyright © 2007 by Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Metronidazole". Read more |
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