How to Use

To ensure the safe use of Metronidazole, let your doctor know if you suffer from any of these conditions:

• Nerve disorders
• Seizure disorder
• Blood cell disorder like anemia or leukopenia
• Liver disease
• Stomach or intestinal disease like Crohn’s disease

Having any of the aforementioned conditions may require a dose adjustment or special tests. 

Use Metronidazole precisely as prescribed. For the extended-release dose, take the tablet on an empty stomach; one hour before meals or two hours after eating. Swallow the tablet whole without chewing, crushing or breaking. Breaking the pill will cause the drug to be released too fast.

To ensure no harm is being caused by the drug, regular blood tests may be required. The function of your liver will also need to be tested. Don’t miss scheduled appointments with your doctor.

Metronidazole can interfere with the results of various medical tests. Let the doctor or lab assistant know that you are using this drug.

FDA Pregnancy Classification

Metronidazole can pass into breast milk and can cause harm to a breastfeeding baby. Don’t use the medicine without consulting your doctor.

Storage

Store at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.

Side Effects

Serious

• Burning or pain when urinating
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Sores or white patches in the mouth or on the lips
• Vision problems or pain behind the eyes
• Trouble concentrating, behavior or mood changes, muscle twitching, slurred speech or seizure
• Chills, fever, confusion, muscle pain, sore throat, increased light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting
• Severe skin reaction

Common

• Stomach pain and diarrhea
• Loss of balance or dizziness
• Vaginal discharge or itching
• Sore or swollen tongue
• Sneezing, coughing, stuffy or runny nose
• Unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth
• Dry mouth

Safety

Don’t stop using Metronidazole until the end of the full prescribed length. The symptoms may improve but the infections will not have cleared completely. Skipping a dose may elevate the risk of developing infections that will be resistant to antibiotics.

Don’t drink alcohol while using Metronidazole. This can lead to unpleasant side effects like nausea, vomiting, fast heartbeats, and redness under the skin, warmth, and tingly feeling. You should also not take alcohol three days after you stop using this drug.

Let your doctor know if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. Your doctor should also know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant during the course of treatment.

Interactions

Metronidazole has interactions with 174 drugs. The drug also interacts with sodium, liver disease, alcoholism, colitis, blood dyscrasias, dialysis and neurologic toxicity