Metronidazole: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What Is Metronidazole?

Metronidazole belongs to a class of antibiotics, nitroimidazole. As an antibiotic, it suppresses the growth and spread of bacterial infections. You can only avail the medicine with a prescription from a registered medical doctor. It comes in multiple forms, like:

• Tablet: Oral intake.
• Gel: Topical application.
• Cream: Ointment.
• Liquid: Drinkable or as a suppository.
• The injectable form, available in hospitals.

What Are the Uses of Metronidazole?

As an antibiotic, metronidazole helps treat and prevent bacterial and parasitic illnesses. It is used in:

• Bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas vaginal infections.
• Bacterial infection in liver, stomach, bloodstream, lungs, or heart.
• Skin infections, like rosacea, skin ulcers, wounds, and sores.
• Mouth infections, like a dental abscess, inflamed, and infected gums.
• Pelvic inflammatory diseases: PID commonly occurs when infection-carrying bacteria travels up to a woman’s reproductive organs, primarily from the vagina or cervix.

Not all bacterial infections require metronidazole. Always consult your doctor before going for any medications.

• Bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas vaginal infections.
• Bacterial infection in liver, stomach, bloodstream, lungs, or heart.
• Skin infections, like rosacea, skin ulcers, wounds, and sores.
• Mouth infections, like a dental abscess, inflamed, and infected gums.
• Pelvic inflammatory diseases: PID commonly occurs when infection-carrying bacteria travels up to a woman’s reproductive organs, primarily from the vagina or cervix.

Not all bacterial infections require metronidazole. Always consult your doctor before going for any medications.

What Are the Side Effects of Metronidazole?

Side effects are uncommon from the usage of creams or gels, except vagina gel but might arise with tablets and suppositories.

Common side effects:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Confusion and light-headedness

Serious side effects:

• Yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes (sclera). It can be an indicator of gallbladder infection.
• Painful urination
• Mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, and bruising. It can indicate blood abnormalities.
• Blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, and double vision in critical cases.
• Numbness in extremities.
• Improper speech, trembling, and seizures.

One must stop the medication if neurological side effects are visible. Consult doctors at Yashoda Hospitals for an expert medical opinion.

Common side effects:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Confusion and light-headedness

Serious side effects:

• Yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes (sclera). It can be an indicator of gallbladder infection.
• Painful urination
• Mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, and bruising. It can indicate blood abnormalities.
• Blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, and double vision in critical cases.
• Numbness in extremities.
• Improper speech, trembling, and seizures.

One must stop the medication if neurological side effects are visible. Consult doctors at Yashoda Hospitals for an expert medical opinion.