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|Metronidazole

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria and preventing infection before, during, and after certain surgeries. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Metronidazole is an oral antiprotozoal and antibacterial. It is thought to work by entering the bacterial cell, acting on some components of the cell and destroying the bacteria.

Do NOT use Metronidazole if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Metronidazole or to other nitroimidazoles (eg, tinidazole)
• you are in the first 3 months of pregnancy
• you are taking busulfan, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), or you have taken disulfiram within the past 2 weeks
• you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor that contains alcohol (eg, amprenavir solution); check with your pharmacist if you are unsure if the medicine contains alcohol
• you drink alcohol

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Metronidazole :

Some medical conditions may interact with Metronidazole . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have nerve, brain, or blood problems; Crohn disease; or a history of liver problems
• if you have heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure) or a history of swelling of the hands, legs, or feet

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Metronidazole . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or phenytoin because the effectiveness of Metronidazole may be decreased
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), busulfan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), HIV protease inhibitors containing alcohol (eg, amprenavir solution), lithium, or macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Disulfiram because side effects, such as mental or mood changes, may occur
• Oral contraceptives (eg, birth control pills) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Metronidazole
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because risk of side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Metronidazole may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Metronidazole :

Use Metronidazole as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Metronidazole is usually administered as an injection at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Metronidazole at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Metronidazole contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Metronidazole for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Metronidazole , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Metronidazole .

Important safety information:

• Metronidazole may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Metronidazole . Using Metronidazole alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Metronidazole and for at least 1 day after the last dose.
• Metronidazole may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control while using Metronidazole .
• If severe diarrhea, stomach cramps/pain, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor at once. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect that needs immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• Metronidazole is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• It is important to use Metronidazole for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Metronidazole and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Metronidazole and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Metronidazole may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• Metronidazole may interfere with certain lab test results. Make sure your doctor and laboratory personnel know you are taking Metronidazole .
• LAB TESTS, including liver function tests and white blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress and to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Metronidazole with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Metronidazole with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Metronidazole during pregnancy. Do not use Metronidazole in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Metronidazole is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Metronidazole .

Possible side effects of Metronidazole :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Appetite loss; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; metallic taste; nausea; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; stomach upset; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; increased or decreased urination; numbness, tingling, or burning of your arms, hands, legs, or feet; seizures; severe diarrhea; sore throat, chills, or fever; stomach pain or cramps; vaginal itching, odor, or discharge; white patches in the mouth.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include nausea; seizures; vomiting.

Metronidazole is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Metronidazole at home, store Metronidazole as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Metronidazole , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Metronidazole is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Metronidazole . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.