Metronidazole Reactions

Metronidazole (Flagyl^®, MetroCream^®, MetroGel^®, MetroGel-Vaginal^®, MetroLotion^®, Noritate^®, Vandazole^®) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating certain types of bacterial and parasitic infections. As with any medication, side effects are possible with metronidazole.

For example, it is possible to develop allergic reactions to metronidazole. It is important that you report any signs of an allergic reaction to your healthcare provider right away, including:

An unexplained rash
Wheezing or other breathing problems
Hives
Itching
Unexplained swelling (especially of the lips, mouth, or throat).

Metronidazole could cause other adverse reactions, including:

Headaches
Vaginal irritation or infection
Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
Metallic taste in the mouth
Bacterial infections
Flu-like symptoms (such as a fever and chills)
Genital itching
Dizziness
Diarrhea or constipation
Runny or stuffy nose
Sinus infection
Sore throat
Painful menstrual periods
Vaginal yeast infections
Dry mouth
Urinary tract infection (UTI), such as a bladder infection.

Healthcare providers typically recommend that people avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole, as potentially serious side effects may occur. However, recent research suggests that this medication might not actually interact significantly with alcohol.

(Click Metronidazole Side Effects and Metronidazole Warnings and Precautions for more information about other reactions with metronidazole that may occur and what other side effects are potentially serious and may require medical attention.)