For some of the infections that metronidazole is used for, you may only begin to notice an improvement after a week. When using the cream or gel to treat rosacea, you may have to wait a few weeks before you see any improvement. It's very important that you keep taking metronidazole until the course is finished.
Do this even if you feel better. It will help stop the infection coming back. Tell your doctor if you still do not feel better 2 or 3 days after finishing your course of metronidazole. Also tell them if, at any time, you start to feel worse. Metronidazole does not stop any type of contraception from working, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.
However, if metronidazole makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. If this happens, follow the instructions in the leaflet that comes with your contraceptive pills. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. Some people get a fungal infection called thrush after taking a course of antibiotics like metronidazole. This is more common if you're using the vaginal gel. It happens because antibiotics kill the normal harmless bacteria that help to protect you against thrush.
There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking metronidazole will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant. However, very rarely, some people suffer from drowsiness or blurred vision. Do not drive or ride a bike until you stop feeling drowsy and your vision is clear.
Do not drink alcohol while you're taking metronidazole, including for 2 days afterwards. This gives the medicine time to leave your body. This is important because metronidazole can react with alcohol to cause a number of side effects. These include feeling and being sick, stomach pain, hot flushes, a pounding heartbeat palpitations and a headache.
You must not have any alcohol in either your food or drink while taking metronidazole - and for 2 days afterwards. Page last reviewed: 6 December Next review due: 6 December Metronidazole On this page About metronidazole Key facts Who can and cannot take metronidazole Tablets, liquid or suppositories Cream or gel Vaginal gel Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About metronidazole Metronidazole is an antibiotic. Metronidazole is only available on prescription. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? The most common side effects of metronidazole tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, and a slight metallic taste in your mouth. Do not drink alcohol while taking a course of metronidazole tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel, or for 2 days after finishing treatment.
Alcohol can cause side effects such as feeling and being sick, stomach pain, hot flushes, a pounding heartbeat palpitations and a headache. For most infections, you'll start to feel better in a few days but for some it may take longer. When treating rosacea, you may only notice a difference after several weeks. Metronidazole tablets or suppositories are called by the brand name Flagyl.
Metronidazole cream is called by the brand names Rosiced or Rozex. To make sure the tablets, liquid or suppositories are safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or any other medicines in the past are pregnant or breastfeeding have liver problems are having dialysis feel you will not be able to stop drinking alcohol while using metronidazole To make sure the external cream or gel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or any other medicines including any creams or ointments in the past are pregnant or breastfeeding To make sure the vaginal gel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or any other medicines in the past are pregnant or breastfeeding have liver problems feel you will not be able to stop drinking alcohol while using metronidazole think you may have vaginal thrush.
How long should I take it for? Important Carry on taking this medicine until you have finished the course, even if you feel better. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Metronidazole will not treat a viral infection flu or a common cold.
Metronidazole will not treat a vaginal yeast infection. You may even develop a new vaginal yeast infection, which may need to be treated with antifungal medication. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms such as itching or discharge during or after treatment with metronidazole. Do not share this medicine with another person , even if they have the same symptoms you have. This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using metronidazole.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, numbness, tingling, or problems with balance or muscle movement.
You should feel better after using metronidazole for a few days, but this will depend on the type of infection you have. Your dosage will depend on the type of infection you have, the formulation of metronidazole you use, and other factors.
Be sure to finish taking all the medicine your doctor prescribes, even if you feel better. If you stop this medicine too soon your infection may not be treated completely. Health Topics. Health Tools. Metronidazole Flagyl. Information for healthcare providers on metronidazole The content on this page will be of most use to clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, specialists and other healthcare providers.
Take metronidazole with food. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking metronidazole. Tell your doctor if troublesome. These are quite common when you first start taking metronidazole. Signs of problems with your liver such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the abdomen. Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, swelling of your lips, face, and mouth or difficulty breathing. This is because the amount of either drug may be increased in your body.
Examples include:. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.
All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:. The kidneys and liver of older adults may not work as well as they used to.
This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time.
This increases your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different medication schedule.
This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Metronidazole oral tablets may cause certain serious conditions that affect the nervous system. These conditions include:. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room.
In some cases, taking it again could lead to death. You should stop using drinks that contain alcohol at least three days before starting metronidazole. Also avoid alcohol for three more days after you stop treatment with this drug. For people with liver disease: Your liver helps process this drug.
If you have severe liver disease, your liver may process this drug more slowly. This would increase the amount of the drug in your body and raise your risk of side effects. Your doctor may lower your dosage of metronidazole or have you take it less often. For people with kidney disease: Your kidneys help clear this drug from your body. If you have severe kidney disease, your kidneys may process this drug more slowly. This increases the amount of the drug in your body and raises your risk of side effects.
Your doctor may lower your dose of metronidazole or have you take it less often. For pregnant women: Metronidazole is a category B pregnancy drug. That means two things:.
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