Metronidazole, popularly known as Flagyl, is a nitroimidazole antibacterial and antiprotozoal medication used mainly in the treatment of bacteria (organism which does not require oxygen for growth) and protozoa.
Metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of bacterial septicemia, lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, emphysema and lung abscess), bone and joint infections, skin infections, amebic dysentery, crohn's disease (inflammatory disease of the digestive system), clostridium difficile colitis, ulcerative gingivitis, intra abdominal infections and abscess and Helicobacter Pylori infections (which can cause chronic gastritis and lead to peptic ulcer disease).
Metronidazole can also be used in veterinary medicine to manage chronic inflammatory bowel disease on cats and dogs, treatment of systemic/gastrointestinal clostridial infections in horses and aquarium hobby to treat ornamental fish and as a broad spectrum treatment for bacterial and protozoan infections in reptiles and amphibians.
It is available in form of tablets, caplets, syrup, intravenous, intravaginal and topical.
Metronidazole is cost effective, extremely well absorbed, minimal suppression of normal gut floral, excellent penetration into almost all body tissues and fluids and has relatively mild side effects.
Disadvantage includes unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth, risk of convulsive seizures and peripheral neuropathy with long term use, active only against anaerobes and cannot be used as a single agent in mixed infections.
Consuming alcohol while taking metronidazole causes a disulfiram-like reaction with effects that can include nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, shortness of breath, tachycardia (accelerated heart rate) and even death. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided during systemic metronidazole therapy and for at least 24 hours after completion of treatment.
Pregnant women should avoid taking metronidazole during their first trimester. It may harm a nursing baby because it is excreted into breast milk.
Common side effects are nausea, weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting and headache.
Don't just consume metronidazole, consult your physician before taking it.
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