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Metronidazole
INFORMATION ABOUT METRONIDAZOLE
Metronidazole Uses
Metronidazole is used in the treatment of bacterial infections and parasitic infections. It is used in infections of the brain, reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, vagina, and other areas of the body.
How Metronidazole works
Metronidazole is an antibiotic. It kills the bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infections by damaging their DNA.
Common side effects of Metronidazole
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common
Nausea, Vomiting, Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation), Agitation, Back pain, Blindness, Blurred vision, Altered speech pattern, Confusion, Decreased vision, Depression, Dizziness, Impaired coordination, Seizure, Slurred speech
CONTENT DETAILS
Written By
Dr. Dheeraj Kumar Sharma
PhD, M.Pharm
Reviewed By
Dr. Rajeev Sharma
MBA, MBBS
Last updated
28 Mar 2025 | 04:51 AM (UTC)
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Expert advice for Metronidazole
  • Metronidazole treats infections caused by bacteria and parasites.
  • It may cause side effects like nausea, stomach upset, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
  • Metronidazole used in a high dose or for a prolonged time increases the risk of side effects such as nerve damage. Take it only as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Do not drink alcohol during or for 2-3 days after treatment with this medicine. You may develop nausea, vomiting, flushing and headache.
  • Inform your doctor if you have  liver disease. Your dose may need to be adjusted in severe liver disease.
  • Metronidazole treats infections caused by bacteria and parasites.
  • It may also be used to prevent infections following surgery.
  • Always take the complete course of treatment, as advised by your doctor, even if you feel better.
  • It may cause side effects like nausea, stomach upset, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
  • Metronidazole used in a high dose or for a prolonged time increases the risk of side effects such as nerve damage. Take it only as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Do not drink alcohol during or for 2-3 days after treatment with this medicine. You may develop nausea, vomiting, flushing and headache.
  • Inform your doctor if you have  liver disease. Your dose may need to be adjusted in severe liver disease.
Frequently asked questions for Metronidazole
Usually, Metronidazole starts working within 1 hour of its ingestion. However, it may take around 2-3 days to make you feel better while taking Metronidazole. If you do not experience any significant reduction in your symptoms, consult your doctor.
No, avoid drinking alcohol while taking Metronidazole. Moreover, you should avoid alcohol even after 3 days of finishing the complete course. Drinking alcohol can cause an unpleasant reaction (disulfiram like reaction) with symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing or redness of the face.
Yes, Metronidazole may cause a temporary metallic taste. This metallic taste can be reduced by staying hydrated, brushing teeth after the meals and chewing sugar-free gum or mints.
No, do not stop taking Metronidazole and complete the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured. Hence, if you stop taking the medicine before completing the course, your infection may come back. Consult your doctor before you stop taking Metronidazole and follow their advice.
Inform your doctor if you did not feel better after completing the full course of treatment. Also, inform him/her if your symptoms are getting worse during the treatment.