Metronidazole Medicine Information

Healthcare providers often prescribe metronidazole (Flagyl^®, MetroCream^®, MetroGel^®, MetroGel-Vaginal^®, MetroLotion^®, Noritate^®, Vandazole^®) for treating various types of infections. The antibiotic is especially useful for infections caused by parasites and certain bacteria that do not require oxygen to survive.

 

Metronidazole comes in several forms, including oral tablets and capsules, skin lotions and creams, gels, and vaginal cream. Different products are approved for different uses and have various dosing instructions. As with any antibiotic, you should finish your entire prescription (even if you start feeling better) to ensure that the infection is completely treated.

 

Before you start taking metronidazole, information for this medicine should be reviewed with your healthcare provider to help minimize risks. You should talk to your healthcare provider before starting treatment if you have seizures or epilepsy, liver disease, alcoholism, or any allergies (this drug could cause problems in people with these conditions). You should also be aware of the potential side effects of this antibiotic; common ones include headaches, nausea, and a metallic taste in the mouth.