METRONIDAZOLE oral

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    Prescription under medical supervision

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Antiprotozoal, antibacterial (group of nitroimidazoles)

    Indications

    • Amoebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis
    • Bacterial vaginitis, infections due to anaerobic bacteria (e.g. Clostridium sp, Bacteroides sp, etc.)

    Forms and strengths

    • 250 mg and 500 mg tablets
    • 200 mg/5 ml oral suspension

    Dosage and duration

    Amoebiasis

    • Child: 15 mg/kg 3 times daily
    • Adult: 500 mg 3 times daily

     

    The treatment lasts 5 days in intestinal amoebiasis and 5 to 10 days in hepatic amoebiasis.

     

    Giardiasis

    • Child: 30 mg/kg once daily for 3 days
    • Adult: 2 g once daily for 3 days

     

    Trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginitis

    • Adult: 2 g single dose

     

    In the event of trichomoniasis, also treat sexual partner.

     

    Infections due to anaerobic bacteria

    • Child: 10 mg/kg 3 times daily
    • Adult: 500 mg 3 times daily

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    According to indication, metronidazole may be used in combination with other anti bacterials; treatment duration depends on indication.

     

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with hypersensitivity to metronidazole or another nitroimidazole (tinidazole, secnidazole, etc.).
    • May cause: gastrointestinal disturbances; rarely: allergic reactions, brownish urine, headache, dizziness. Risk of antabuse reaction when combined with alcohol.
    • Administer with caution in patients taking oral anticoagulants (risk of haemorrhage), lithium, phenytoin, ergometrine (increased plasma concentrations of these drugs).
    • Reduce total daily dose to one third and give once daily to patients with severe hepatic impairment.
    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication; divide into smaller doses, avoid prolonged use.
    • Breast-feeding: significantly excreted in milk (risk of gastrointestinal disturbances in breastfed infants); divide into smaller doses, avoid prolonged use.

    Storage

     
    – Below 25 °C
    For the oral suspension: follow manufacturer’s instructions.