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Metronidazole (Flagyl ®)Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal and antibacterial used in the treatment of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and protozoa, including amebiasis, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, pseudomembranous colitis. Contraindications:
Warnings
Side effects Nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, unpleasant metallic taste, furry tongue, candidiasis, dizziness, headache, ataxia, confusion. Uses
Amebiasis Metronidazole is a quite efficacious prescription for the treatment of amebic liver abscess and invasive intestinal amebiasis (amebic dysentery), and may eradicate cysts in asymptomatic carriers. The adult dosage for acute intestinal amebiasis (or amebic dysentery) is 750 mg 3 times daily for 5-10 (in most cases 10) days. For amebic liver abscess 500-750 mg 3 times daily for 5-10 days. The dosage for children is 35-50 mg/kg in 3 divided doses daily for 10 days. Anaerobic Bacterial Infections The adult dosage is 7.5 mg/kg (about 500 mg for a 70 kg adult) every 6-8 hours (not to exceed 4 g per day) for 7 to 10 days. Serious infections may require intravenous route. Metronidazole is inactive against most aerobic bacteria. Therefore mixed aerobic-anaerobic infections may require a complementary prescription. Bacterial Vaginosis Bacterial Vaginosis is a polymicrobial condition characterized by replacement of the normal vaginal flora with a Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, and other bacteria. Oral route: The adult dosage is 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Vaginal route: one applicator full (about 37.5 mg) intravaginally once or twice daily for 5 days, applied once in the morning and once at bedtime. Vaginal metronidazole may be used twice weekly to reduce the recurrences of bacterial vaginosis. Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted disease, causes unpleasant vaginal odor and heavy yellow-green discharge accompanied by vulvar irritation. Both sexual partners should be treated. The standard regimen is a single 2 g dose of metronidazole. Or 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. When a repeated course is required, a lapse of 4 to 6 weeks between courses is recommended. The dose for children is 5 mg/kg 3 times daily for 7 days. Papules and Pustules of Rosacea Topical Metronidazole (Metrocream, Metrogel ®, Rozex ®) is efficacious in treating rosacea. It reduces the redness and the number of inflammatory papules and pustules. Continuous application allows for longer lapses between flare-ups. The thin layer of metronidazole is applied once or twice daily to the entire affected area after washing. References
Last updated: January 27, 2012 |