metronidazole

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional, usually 3 or 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Metronidazole usually comes in ready-to-use infusion bags. If your drug comes in a vial, then it must be mixed with the proper IV fluids. Before using this product, check it visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. This medication should be given slowly over 1 hour. Do not mix with any other medications. If you have questions about the use of this medication, consult your pharmacist. If you are giving yourself injections at home, make sure you learn how to prepare and inject this medication properly. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse any questions you may have about how to give yourself metronidazole. Learn how to store and discard needles, medical supplies, and any unused medication safely. Consult your pharmacist. Never reuse needles or syringes. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria/protozoa to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection. Your doctor may direct you to start taking this medication by mouth instead of by vein when you are able to take medications by mouth or when your condition allows the switch. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: alcohol-containing products (e.g., cough and cold syrups, aftershave), amprenavir solution taken by mouth, disulfiram, lopinavir/ritonavir solution taken by mouth. If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting metronidazole. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), busulfan, cimetidine, corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone, prednisone), fluorouracil, lithium, drugs for seizures (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin), live bacterial vaccines. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including liver function tests, blood triglyceride levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not use needles or IV tubing that contains aluminum because this metal may cause this medication to discolor. Treatment of a certain infection (trichomoniasis) may require that sexual partners be treated as well to avoid re-infection. During treatment, avoid sexual intercourse, or always use latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams. Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., cultures, white blood cell counts) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, seizures.

Before taking metronidazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other nitroimidazoles such as tinidazole; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, severe kidney problems (not producing any urine), nervous system disorders (e.g., seizures), blood disorders, Crohn's disease, history of alcohol use/abuse, swelling (edema), using a feeding/medication tube inserted in the nose (naso-gastric tube). Avoid alcoholic beverages while using this medication and for at least 3 days after finishing this medicine because severe stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, headache and flushing can occur. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a new infection (e.g., yeast infection in the mouth, bladder, or vagina). Newborns may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug, because newborns are less able to remove metronidazole from their bodies. The elderly may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this drug. Due to possible harm to the unborn baby, it should not be used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. During the last 6 months, this medication should be used with caution only if your infection has not improved on other antibiotics. This medication passes into breast milk. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage up to 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) is permitted. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This drug may cause urine to darken. This is harmless. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unsteadiness, seizures, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion), numbness/tingling of hands/feet. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: eye pain, severe/persistent headache, stiff/painful neck, sudden vision changes, sore throat, persistent fever, unusual bleeding/bruising, severe stomach pain, persistent nausea/vomiting. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.