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Metronidazole:The last dose on antibacterial agents *Allergy: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to metronidazole. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dye. * Pregnancy: Use is not recommended especially during the first three months of pregnancy. * Breast feeding: Metronidazole is known to pass into human breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in the baby. Hence use of metronidazole during breast feeding is not recommended. * Children: Metronidazole has been used in children without any specific problems. Liquid preparations are available for paediatric use. * Drug interactions: Metronidazole is known to interact with other medicines, such as warfarin (blood thinners), lithium, disulfiram etc. So seek advice from your doctor before taking other drugs (including over the counter preparations, cough medicines, herbal remedies and nutraceuticals). * Other medical conditions: Metronidazole can affect other medical problems such as bleeding diseases, nervous system diseases like epilepsy, heart disease, and severe liver disease and worsen these problems. So you need to tell the doctor about other medical problems you are having. *Proper use of metronidazole: This drug can cause side effects like stomach upsets, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain, so it is best taken with meals to avoid those unpleasant side effects. For paediatric suspension, follow the instructions regarding reconsitution and storage. *Precautions: * Avoid drinking alcohol and alcohol containing drugs, food, or drinks like elixirs, cough syrups, tonics while you are on metronidazole and also for three days after stopping the drug. Drinking alcohol products while on metronidazole is known to cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing or redness of the face. *Metronidazole may cause dryness of the mouth, an unpleasant or sharp metallic taste, and a change in taste sensation. You can use some sweets or melt bits of ice in your mouth to combat this problem temporarily but if the symptoms persist more than two weeks you need to go to the doctor. * Some people get dizzy due to this drug. Avoid driving and operating machines if you have this side effect. * If metronidazole is given for genital tract infection it is necessary that your partner also gets the treatment. It is advisable to use condoms till the course of medicine is completed. * Side effects: Along with its beneficial effects, any medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. If any of the following side effects occur when you are taking a metronidazole, stop taking it and report to your doctor immediately; numbness, pain or weakness in the hand, convulsions (fits), mood changes, skin rashes, sore throat, fever, unsteadiness There can be some other mild side effects that usually do not need medical attention; such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, change in taste sensation, dry mouth, dizziness, or headache. However inform your doctor if these continue or are bothersome *In some patients, metronidazole may cause dark urine. This is a temporary effect, and will subside when the medicine is stopped. * Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other unwanted effects when you are taking a metronidazole, inform your doctor. |
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In
the last article in our series on individual antibacterial agents,
we look at metronidazole, used for bacterial infections in the mouth,
teeth and the gastrointestinal tract. It is also used for parasitic
infections in the genital tract and amoebiasis. Metronidazole is
available only with doctor's prescription in oral and injection
dosage forms. The general principles in using antibacterial agents
given in the first issue of this series apply for metronidazole
as well.
