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metronidazole

  (mĕt'rə-nī'də-zōl') pronunciation
n.

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.]


 
 
Dental Dictionary: metronidazole

n

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.

 
Drug Info: Metronidazole

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.

 
Veterinary Dictionary: metronidazole

An antimicrobial compound effective against protozoa and anaerobic bacteria. Commonly used to treat trichomoniasis, amebiasis, giardiasis and balantidiasis.

 
Wikipedia: metronidazole
Chemical structure of Metronidazole
Metronidazole
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol
Identifiers
CAS number 443-48-1
ATC code A01AB17 D06BX01, G01AF01, J01XD01, P01AB01
PubChem 4173
DrugBank APRD00631
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

Prescription Only (S4)(AU) POM(UK)
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.

Indications

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]

Prevention of preterm births

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]

Adverse effects

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]

Interaction with alcohol

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Rossi S, editor. Australian Medicines Handbook 2006. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook; 2006. ISBN 0-9757919-2-3
  2. ^ Shennan A, Crawshaw S, Briley A, Hawken J, Seed P, Jones G, et al. A randomised controlled trial of metronidazole for the prevention of preterm birth in women positive for cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin: the PREMET Study. BJOG 2006;113(1):65-74. PMID 16398774
  3. ^ Lamont RF. Can antibiotics prevent preterm birth--the pro and con debate. BJOG 2005;112(suppl):67-73. PMID 15715599
  4. ^ National Toxicology Program. Metronidazole. In: Report on carcinogens. 11th ed. Research Triangle Park (NC): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [updated 2005 Aug 26; cited 2006 Jun 20]. Available from: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s112metr.pdf
  5. ^ Williams CS, Woodcock KR. Do ethanol and metronidazole interact to produce a disulfiram-like reaction? Ann Pharmacother 2000;34(2):255-7. PMID 10676835
  6. ^ Visapaa JP, Tillonen JS, Kaihovaara PS, Salaspuro MP. Lack of disulfiram-like reaction with metronidazole and ethanol. Ann Pharmacother 2002;36(6):971-4. PMID 12022894

External links

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

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Copyrights:

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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