Metronidazole Dosing: An Introduction
The dose of
metronidazole (
Flagyl®, MetroCream
®, MetroGel
®, MetroGel-Vaginal
®, MetroLotion
®, Noritate
®, Vandazole
®) your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The particular metronidazole product
- The type and severity of your infection
- How you respond to the antibiotic
- Other medications you are taking
- Your weight (for children)
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
IV Metronidazole Dosage for Anaerobic Infections
For serious anaerobic infections, metronidazole is usually given by IV in a hospital (at least at first). For the oral forms, the recommended dose for treating anaerobic infections is based on weight: 7.5 mg per kg of body weight (about 3.4 mg per pound) every 6 hours, up to a maximum of 4000 mg in any given 24-hour period. The medication is usually taken for 7 to 10 days, although some infections may require extended treatment.
Oral Dosage of Metronidazole for Trichomoniasis
There are two different standard dosing regimens for treating
trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection). A one-day treatment of metronidazole 2 grams in a single dose or two doses of 1 gram (both taken in one day) is a convenient option. A seven-day treatment of 250 mg three times daily (or 375 mg twice daily) can also be used, and may be more effective than the one-day treatment.
