Antibiotics Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Flagyl Uses
Flagyl is used for treating certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection). Long-acting Flagyl ER tablets are only approved for treating bacterial vaginosis, and the injectable form is licensed to treat anaerobic infections and to prevent anaerobic infections due to certain surgeries of the digestive tract. Healthcare providers may also sometimes recommend off-label Flagyl uses, such as for treating Crohn's disease.
Flagyl® (metronidazole) is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of different infections. Regular (short-acting) Flagyl capsules and tablets are approved to treat the following:
- Trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite)
- Certain infections, such as amebic dysentery or amebic liver abscess, caused by ameba (a certain type of parasite)
- Various infections caused by anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that do not need oxygen to survive), including infections of the:
Long-acting Flagyl ER tablets are approved for only one use -- treating bacterial vaginosis (a certain type of bacterial infection of the vagina). Flagyl injection is given by IV and is approved for treating anaerobic infections and also for preventing anaerobic infections due to certain surgeries of the digestive tract.
When a person is treated with Flagyl for trichomoniasis, their sexual partner(s) should also be treated. In many cases, a healthcare provider will provide a Flagyl prescription for sexual partner(s) to the original patient being treated, without actually having to examine their partners.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD