$Unique_ID{BRK02039}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{METRONIDAZOLE}
$Subject{Flagyl (Searle)
MetroGel (Curatab)
metronidazole (various manufacturers)
Metryl (Lemmon)
Protostat (Ortho)
Satric (Savage)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


METRONIDAZOLE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Flagyl (Searle)
     MetroGel (Curatab)
     metronidazole (various manufacturers)
     Metryl (Lemmon)
     Protostat (Ortho)
     Satric (Savage)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antibiotic and antiparasitic
INGREDIENT:
     metronidazole
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (250 mg and 500 mg)
     Topical gel (0.75%)
STORAGE:
     Metronidazole should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.  The topical gel form of this medication
       should never be frozen.

USES

     Metronidazole is used to treat a wide variety of infections, including
infections of the vagina, urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, bones,
joints, intestinal tract, and skin.  It is also used topically to treat acne
rosacea.  It acts by killing bacteria or parasites.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach irritation, you should take metronidazole with
food or with a full glass of water or milk (unless your doctor directs you to
do otherwise).
     Metronidazole works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream
is kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take three doses a day,
the doses should be spaced eight hours apart.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you do miss a dose,
take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the
next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms
disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking the drug too
soon, resistant bacteria and parasites are given a chance to continue growing,
and the infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Abdominal cramps, constipation, decreased sexual interest, diarrhea,
dizziness, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, irritability, joint pain, loss of
appetite, metallic taste in the mouth, nasal congestion, nausea, restlessness,
or vomiting.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly
from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     To relieve mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
piece of hard candy.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
confusion, convulsions, flushing, hives, itching, joint pain, loss of bladder
control, mouth sores, numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, rash, sense
of pressure inside your abdomen, unexplained sore throat and fever, or unusual
weakness.  Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse rather
than improving, you should contact your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     Metronidazole interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of alcohol and metronidazole can lead to a severe
reaction (abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, and flushing), the
severity of which is dependent upon the amount of alcohol ingested.
     2. Concurrent use of disulfiram and metronidazole can lead to confusion.
     3. The effects of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin)
may be increased by metronidazole, which can lead to bleeding complications.
     4. Barbiturates can increase the breakdown of metronidazole, which can
decrease its effectiveness.
     5. Cimetidine can decrease the breakdown of metronidazole, which can
increase the chance of side effects.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to metronidazole.
     * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
you now have or if you have ever had blood disorders, a central nervous system
(brain or spinal cord) disease, or liver disease.
     * When metronidazole is used to treat a vaginal infection, sexual
partners should receive concurrent therapy in order to prevent reinfection.
In addition, sexual intercourse should be avoided or condoms should be used
until treatment is completed.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require
different drug therapy.  Therefore, you should not give your medicine to other
people or use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs
you to do so.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy, avoid tasks that require alertness, such
as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although
metronidazole appears to be safe, it does cross the placenta, and extensive
studies in pregnant women have not been conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if
you are breast-feeding an infant.  Metronidazole passes into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
