Generic
Metronidazole
Indications
Metronidazole is used to treat the following conditions:
- Prevent postoperative infections caused by anaerobic bacteria (especially anaerobic Bacteroides and streptococci).
- reatment of sepsis, bacteremia, peritonitis, brain abscess, pelvic
abscess, pelvic cellulitis, and postoperative wound infection caused by
anaerobic bacteria.
- Treatment of genitourinary trichomoniasis.
- Bacterial vaginitis (also called nonspecific vaginitis).
- All forms of amebiasis (transmitted by intestinal and extraintestinal diseases and asymptomatic cysts).
- Giardiasis.
- Acute ulcerative gingivitis.
- Leg ulcers and pressure sores with anaerobic infection.
- Acute tooth infection caused by anaerobic organisms.
- Antibiotic-related pseudomembranous colitis.
Pharmacology
Metronidazole is an antibacterial medication that belongs to the
imidazole family and is used as an antiprotozoal agent. Anaerobes
decrease the 5-nitro group of Metronidazole metabolically.
Metronidazole's bactericidal effect is due to the reduced form of the
antibiotic interacting with DNA, according to studies.
Dosage & Administration
Tablet and Suspension:
Trichomoniasis (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
- 200 mg tid or 400 mg bid for 7 days
- 800 mg in the morning and 1-2 gm at night for 2 days
- 2 gm as a single dose for 1 days
Trichomoniasis (Children)-
- Children 7-10 yrs: 100 mg tid
- Children 3-7 yrs: 100 mg bid
- Children 1-3 yrs: 50 mg tid
Intestinal amoebiasis (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
Intestinal amoebiasis (Children)-
- Children 7-10 yrs: 400 mg tid
- Children 3-7 yrs: 200 mg qid
- Children 1-3 yrs: 200 mg tid
Extra-intestinal & Asymptomatic amoebiasis (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
- 400-800 mg tid for 5-10 days
Extra-intestinal & Asymptomatic amoebiasis (Children)-
- Children 7-10 yrs: 200-400 mg tid
- Children 3-7 yrs: 100-200 mg qid
- Children 1-3 yrs: 100-200 mg tid
Giardiasis (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
- 2 gm once daily for 3 days
Giardiasis (Children)-
- Children 7-10 yrs: 1 gm once daily
- Children 3-7 yrs: 600-800 mg once daily
- Children 1-3 yrs: 500 mg once daily
Acute ulcerative gingivitis (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
Acute ulcerative gingivitis (Children)-
- Children 7-10 yrs: 100 mg tid
- Children 3-7 yrs: 100 mg bid
- Children 1-3 yrs: 50 mg tid
Acute dental infections (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
Bacterial Vaginosis (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
- 400 mg bid for 7 days
- 2 gm as a single dose for 1 days
Leg ulcers and pressure sores (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
Anaerobic infections (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
- 800 mg initially and then 400 mg tid for 7 days
Anaerobic infections (Children)-
- Children 1-10 yrs: 7.5 mg/kg tid
Surgical prophylaxis (Adults & Children over 10 yrs)-
- 400 mg tid started 24 hours before surgery for 1 days
Surgical prophylaxis (Children)-
- Children 1-10 yrs: 7.5 mg/kg tid
Vaginal Gel:
The recommended dose is one applicator full of Metronidazole gel
(approximately 5 grams containing approximately 37.5 mg of
Metronidazole) intravaginally once or twice a day for 5 days. For once a
day dosing, Metronidazole gel should be administered at bedtime.
Suppository:
Anaerobic Infections-
- Adults: 1 g every 8 hours for 3 days, then 1 g every 12 hours.
- Children: 5-10 years: 500 mg every 8 hours for 3 days, then every 12 hours, Over 10 years adult dose.
Surgical Prophylaxis-
- Adults: 1 g 2 hours before surgery; up to 3 further doses of 1 g may be given every 8 hours for high risk procedures.
- Children: 5-10 years: 500 mg 2 hours before
surgery; up to 3 further doses of 500 mg may be given every 8 hours for
high risk procedures.
IV Infusion:
Metronidazole intravenous infusion requires no dilution and should not be mixed with any other drugs prior to administration.
- Adults and children over 12 years: Infuse 500 mg 8
hourly at a rate of 5 ml/minute and a maximum of 4 g should not be
exceeded during a 24-hour period. Treatment for 7 days is sufficient for
most patients, but treatment can be extended, especially for cases
where reinfection is likely. For surgical prophylaxis, administration
shortly before surgery should be followed by 8-hourly doses for the next
24 hours.
- Children under 12 years: 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day every 8 hours at a rate of 5 ml/minute.
Interaction
- Disulfiram: Patients taking metronidazole and disulfiram at the same time are reported to have psychotic reactions.
- Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages and drugs containing alcohol should not
be consumed during treatment and for at least one day after treatment,
as disulfiram-like reactions (anti-abuse effect) (flushing, vomiting,
tachycardia) may occur. Oral anticoagulant therapy (warfarin type):
increased anticoagulant effect, decreased liver catabolism and increased
risk of bleeding. In the case of co-administration, prothrombin time
should be monitored more frequently and anticoagulant therapy should be
adjusted during treatment with metronidazole.
- Lithium: Metronidazole can increase plasma levels of lithium.
- Cyclosporine: When co-administration is required, serum cyclosporine and serum creatinine should be closely monitored.
- Phenytoin or Phenobarbital: Increased elimination of metronidazole leads to a decrease in plasma levels.
- 5-Fluorouracil: The clearance rate of 5-Fluorouracil is reduced, leading to an increase in the toxicity of 5-Fluorouracil.
- Busulfan: Metronidazole can increase the plasma concentration of busulfan, leading to severe busulfan toxicity.
Contraindications
Metronidazole is contraindicated in patients with a history of
hypersensitivity to Metronidazole or other Nitroimidazole derivatives.
Side Effects
Metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, drowsiness, rashes may be observed during treatment.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Metronidazole is classified as a pregnancy category B by the US Food
and Drug Administration. However, no appropriate and well-controlled
trials in pregnant women have been conducted. Because animal
reproduction studies do not always anticipate human response, this
medication should only be taken during pregnancy if absolutely
necessary. Human milk has been found to contain metronidazole. When
Metronidazole is given to a breastfeeding mother, care should be used.
Precautions & Warnings
If metronidazole must be given for a longer period of time than is
typically suggested, it is recommended that hematological tests,
particularly leucocyte counts, be performed on a regular basis and that
patients be watched for adverse responses such as peripheral or central
neuropathy (such as paresthesia, ataxia, dizziness, convulsive
seizures).
Patients with hepatic encephalopathy should be given metronidazole with care.
Metronidazole might cause urine to discolor, therefore patients should be informed.
Therapeutic Class
Amoebicides, Anti-diarrhoeal Antiprotozoal
Storage Conditions
Keep it below 30°C. Protect yourself from the sun. Medicines should
be kept out of the reach of youngsters. Do not use beyond the expiration
date.
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