Dictionary:
me·tro·ni·da·zole (mĕt'rə-nī'də-zōl')  |
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.]
| 5min Related Video: metronidazole |
| Dental Dictionary: metronidazole |
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 extended-release tablets
What are metronidazole extended-release tablets?
METRONIDAZOLE (Flagyl® ER) kills or prevents the growth of certain bacteria and protozoa (single cell organisms). Metronidazole extended-release tablets are used to treat an infection of the vagina called bacterial vaginosis. Metronidazole is also used to treat other types of infections. Generic extended-release tablets of metronidazole are 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
• liver disease
• disease of the nervous system
• seizures (convulsions)
• 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 take this medicine?
Take metronidazole tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. Take this medicine on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals or food. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking 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?
• alcohol or alcohol-containing beverages or medicines
• amprenavir
• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
• carbamazepine
• cimetidine
• disulfiram
• fluorouracil
• lithium
• methadone
• phenytoin
• ramelteon
• sirolimus
• tacrolimus
• warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. 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 symptoms do not improve in 2 or 3 days.
If you are taking this medicine for a long time you must visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular blood checks.
Avoid alcoholic drinks while you are taking metronidazole and for three days afterwards. Alcohol may make you feel dizzy, sick, or flushed. Drinking alcohol while you are taking metronidazole may also give you headaches or stomach pains.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how metronidazole affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
If you are being treated for an infection of your sex organs, your sexual partner may also need treatment. You can use a condom to stop reinfection of you or your sexual partner.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are using metronidazole.
What side effects may I notice from taking metronidazole?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
• clumsiness, dizziness, or unsteadiness
• fever or chills, sore throat
• numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the hands or feet
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash, itching
• vomiting or severe stomach pain
More common:
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• irritation or discharge from the vagina
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• dark brown or reddish urine
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• food tasting unusual or like metal
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• mild stomach pain or cramps
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. 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 |
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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 D06, G01, J01, P01 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| ChemSpider | |
| 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) (pronounced /mɛtrəˈnaɪdəzoʊl/) is a nitroimidazole anti-infective medication 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 in the US, while Sanofi-Aventis markets metronidazole globally under the same tradename, Flagyl, and also by various generic manufacturers, who sell it at a lower price.
Metronidazole is also used as a gel preparation in the treatment of the dermatological conditions such as rosacea (Rozex and MetroGel by Galderma) and fungating tumours (Anabact, Cambridge Healthcare Supplies).
Contents |
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.
Metabolites include 2-hydroxymethyl metronidazole.[1]
Systemic metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of:
Latest paper studying Metronidazole found "Metronidazole therapy before 32 weeks was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth", possibly as a result of "changes in the vaginal flora... seen with vaginal clindamycin or oral metronidazole therapy." [4]
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.[5].
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.[6]
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.[3]
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.[3]
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.[7]. Yet, metronidazole was shown to be safe in humans.[8] Available from: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s112metr.pdf It appears to have a fairly low potential for cancer risk and under most circumstances the benefits of treatment outweigh the risk. Metronidazole is banned in the EU for veterinary use in the feed of animals. [9]
Common adverse drug reactions associated with topical metronidazole therapy include local redness, dryness, and/or skin irritation; and eye watering (if applied near eyes).[3]
Consuming ethanol (alcohol) while using metronidazole has long been thought to have a disulfiram-like reaction with effects that can include nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, tachycardia (accelerated heart rate), and shortness of breath,[10] however there are studies calling that notion into question. [1] Consumption of alcohol should be avoided by patients during systemic metronidazole therapy and for at least 48 hours after completion of treatment.[3] However, the mechanism of this reaction in the clinical setting has recently been questioned by some authors,[11][12] and a possible central toxic serotonin reaction for the alcohol intolerance suggested.[13]
Metronidazole alone rarely causes Stevens-Johnson syndrome but is reported to occur at high rates when combined with Mebendazole.[14]
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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
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Copyrights:
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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 |
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| Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| 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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