Metronidazole injection
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What is metronidazole injection?
METRONIDAZOLE (Flagyl®) is an antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent. It kills or prevents the growth of certain bacteria and protozoa (single cell animals). Metronidazole treats infections of the skin, central nervous system, bones and joints, respiratory tract, abdomen, gynecologic and vaginal infections (including trichomoniasis), and intestinal infections (including dysentery). Generic metronidazole injections 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 use this medicine?
Metronidazole is for injection or infusion into a vein. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use your doses at regular intervals.
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, 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 symptoms do not improve in 2 or 3 days.
If you are using 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 using metronidazole and for two days afterwards. Alcohol may make you dizzy, feel sick, and flushed; give you headaches and stomach pains.
Metronidazole can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.
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 or 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 receiving metronidazole?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• clumsiness, unsteadiness
• fever or chills, sore throat
• headache
• numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the hands or feet
• pain, swelling and irritation at the injection site
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash, itching
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vaginal irritation or discharge
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
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain or cramps
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store ready to use injection at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Use diluted, neutralized solutions within 24 hours. Do not refrigerate neutralized solutions.
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.
