Metronidazole: side effects and effects in women

The invisible culprits of disease

Single-celled organisms - both bacteria and protozoa - are constantly present in the external environment and penetrate the human body. If the conditions for their life are favorable, and the immune system is not able to fight back, new residents multiply en masse and worsen the well-being of the owner. Inflammatory diseases of the urethra, genital tract, diseases of the digestive tract and even some ulcers are caused by microorganisms.

An important step in curing problems is drugs aimed at reducing the number of pathogens: the fewer there are, the less noticeable the consequences of infection are and the faster recovery occurs. Metronidazole copes well with this task.

Appearance and effect of tablets

The tablets appear white or have a greenish tint; They are produced in dosages of both 250 mg and 500 mg and are present in the portfolios of several manufacturers. There are few excipients in this dosage form. The filler is potato starch; Talc and stearic acid are also involved in tableting.

Entering the digestive tract, the active substance is well absorbed and distributed throughout all body fluids. Doctors often prescribe Metronidazole tablets: they help against diseases caused by the massive proliferation of harmful bacteria or protozoa. Due to its ability to fight the latter, the substance is classified as an antiprotozoal agent.

Aerobic - living in an oxygen environment - microorganisms are resistant to metronidazole.

The action of the drug resembles an antibiotic. It disrupts the respiration processes in the cells of the invaders, thereby stopping their life processes. Sometimes DNA molecules are also affected. In microorganisms under the influence of metronidazole, the synthesis of genetic material is disrupted and its structure is destroyed.

Pharmacological properties

The product is intended to combat harmful bacteria, as well as the simplest single-celled microorganisms that can cause various pathological processes in the human body. When interacting with bacteria, metronidazole disrupts the circulation of protein in their body. When exposed to protozoa, it initiates the production of nucleic acids inside the nucleus of the microorganism's cell, which ultimately leads to its death.

When taken orally, absorption of the drug occurs mainly in the intestines, from where it enters the blood. Metronidazole completely leaves the body within 8–9 hours. When the drug enters the liver, it is converted into a substance called 2-oxymetronidazole, which also has antibacterial properties. The drug leaves the body during urination and defecation.

The medicine can be produced and sold in several different forms:

• Pills
• Liquid for injection
• Candles

• Creams, emulsions and ointments for external use
• Capsules

The drug may be sold under some other names. The most common of them is flagyl .

Use of Metronidazole

For tablets containing metronidazole, indications for use are somehow related to inflammatory processes in different parts of the body or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. An exception is the treatment of chronic alcoholism. Metronidazole causes an aversion to alcohol in the patient and helps him cope with addiction. Other recommendations and indications are described below.

• Vaginitis is inflammation of the external genitalia of women. Treatment is carried out for trichomonas infection.
• Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra (also prescribed for men).
• Giardiasis.
• Dysentery caused by amoebas or ciliates.
• Infections caused by anaerobic microorganisms; if bacteria with different oxygen tolerances are involved in the development of the disease, metronidazole is used in combination with other drugs.

  

• Prevention of infections during surgical operations - especially when it comes to interfering with the integrity of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity.

Metronidazole can also participate in the fight against Helicobacter pylori. For the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcers, the medicine is combined with amoxicillin. Such therapy can only be carried out when the patient reaches 18 years of age.

Possible contraindications

Metronidazole tablets are not dangerous, but they cannot be classified as gentle drugs. Distributed throughout the body, the substance not only removes bacteria well, but also has an effect on entire organ systems. Metabolism of the drug takes place in the liver; for this reason, in case of her diseases, the drug is prescribed with caution, and liver failure becomes a contraindication. There are other situations in which you cannot take medicine.

• Hypersensitivity to Metronidazole and allergy to it.
• Organic lesions of the central nervous system. This is the name for diseases in which disturbances occur both in the structure of the brain and in its functions. An example would be epilepsy.

  

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• Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood.

During treatment, the patient is often recommended to donate blood for tests. If leukopenia develops, the pills should be stopped immediately. The same is done if the patient experiences attacks of dizziness or loss of coordination of movements.

Other uses

Metronidazole is a modern effective remedy against protozoan parasites and also has an antibacterial effect.

It is used not only in the treatment of people, but also in the prevention of disease in poultry farming.

The medicine is widely used for preventive purposes against diseases such as:

• Coccidiosis;
• Histomoniasis;
• Trichomoniasis and many others.

Metronidazole is used in the treatment of adult turkeys, ducks, and geese. It is necessary to mix 1.5 grams of medicine into the daily diet of poultry for every kg of feed. Therapy should be carried out for at least 10 days.

It is also good to use the drug Metronidazole to treat seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and annuals in the flowerbed against phytodiseases, or other problems. To do this, it is necessary to treat with the solution at the initial stage of germination before planting seedlings in open ground. Such preventive measures will help prevent the death of crops.

Undesirable consequences

The most harmless side effect of taking Metronidazole is dark urine. There may also be a burning sensation in the urethra; the medicine has irritating properties. The list of more serious side effects includes disorders of digestion, hematopoiesis and brain function:

• loss of appetite, nausea, metallic taste in the mouth;
• headache, sleep disturbance, coordination and consciousness, depression, excitability, increased irritability, convulsions and even hallucinations;
• leukopenia;

  

• allergic reactions.

Sometimes patients develop stomatitis - the chance of this increases when taken simultaneously with lansoprazole. Among the rarest side effects are pancreatitis, intestinal colic, cystitis, urinary incontinence or an increase in its production. A significant role in the use of Metronidazole is played by its compatibility with other drugs: some substances, when taken together with it, cause dangerous conditions.

Compatibility and reception features

The tablets are taken whole before or after meals. They need to be washed down with a suitable amount of liquid: milk is often recommended for this purpose. The treatment regimen depends on the disease.

When taking Metronidazole, it is forbidden to drink alcohol: it can cause headaches, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Incompatibility with ethyl alcohol is associated with insufficient oxidation of alcohol in the liver when used with Metronidazole. Accumulated acetaldehyde has an adverse effect on the body. Also, dangerous side effects may appear when taken together with disulfiram, carbamazepine, lansoprazole, lithium carbonate, phenytoin, fluorouracil, cimetidine.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the use of the drug is prohibited: the active substance penetrates the placental barrier. At a later date, when choosing a solution, risks and benefits are assessed. If Metronidazole is very important for the treatment of the mother, it is prescribed.

The medicine not only penetrates into mother's milk, but also gives it a bitter taste. If the tablets are prescribed while breastfeeding, the baby is stopped giving milk during the entire course of treatment and 1-2 days after it ends. Otherwise, the antibacterial agent will have its effect on the baby.

Side effects of Trichopolum

Side effects of metronidazole when taken in therapeutic doses are observed infrequently .

It is low-toxic and therefore relatively rarely causes toxic effects .

With a significant dosage, dyspepsia may occur:

• coated tongue;
• dry mouth;
• unpleasant or bitter taste in the mouth;
• nausea;
• diarrhea.

This is often associated with the phenomena of dysbiosis caused by the drug due to the destruction of anaerobic flora in the body.

May contribute to the development of candidiasis , especially in the oral cavity and intestines.

Possible:

• headache;
• excitation;
• allergic phenomena:
• rash;
• swelling;
• skin itching;
• increase in body temperature.

There are known cases of moderate neutropenia associated with the content of the nitro group in the metronidazole molecule. All these side effects usually go away quickly after stopping the drug.

In newborns it can cause:

• anorexia;
• blood dyscrasias.

Treatment options

Adults can take no more than 4 g of Metronidazole per day. This dose includes 16 tablets of 250 mg or 8 tablets of 500 mg. Other treatment options can be found in the table.

During surgery, 750-1500 mg of medication is given 3-4 days before surgery, divided into 3 doses. In other cases, Metronidazole is taken after surgery in an amount of 1000 mg. To prevent infections, continue to drink 750 mg per day for a week. In combination with other drugs, the drug is prescribed for cystitis - if it is caused by sensitive microorganisms.

During treatment, you should avoid driving: this indication is caused by the side effects of the drug on the nervous system.

Gynecological diseases require a separate treatment regimen. For example, for candidiasis, Metronidazole is combined with antifungal agents, and the best effect is achieved using suppositories or gel. For inflammation of the appendages and ovaries, tablets and suppositories are used in combination, depending on the severity of the disease. Treatment is continued from 10 days to 2 weeks.

Indications for use

Metronidazole is taken in almost all areas of medicine: gynecology, dentistry, dermatology, etc.

Metronidazole can be used as a separate drug for the treatment and as an additional therapy:

1. In gastroenterology Metronidazole It is recommended to take it for the treatment of amoebiasis, which causes severe, prolonged diarrhea. Metronidazole is also recommended for use in the treatment of wire ulcers, gastritis, giardiasis and other diseases that cause intestinal dysbiosis. If the illness is accompanied by diarrhea, it is not recommended to take the remedy on your own; you should consult a doctor.

   
   

2. Taking the drug Metronidazole is justified for gynecological problems , for example, treatment of fallopian tube abscess, inflammation of the ovaries, urethritis, vaginitis, etc. The drug Metronidazole is often recommended for the treatment of postoperative complications and recovery from surgery on the female reproductive organs.
3. Metronidazole in dermatology is widely used by modern doctors to eliminate red mesh on the face, pimples, acne and other skin diseases. Metronidazole is also taken for the treatment of ulcers, varicose veins in diabetes mellitus, treatment of burns, and seborrhea.
4. Metronidazole is often prescribed for the treatment of dental problems in adults and children, for example, for infectious problems accompanied by oral dysbiosis.
5. Metronidazole is used for prophylactic purposes , for the treatment of postoperative complications after operations on the digestive organs and near-rectal area.
6. It is acceptable to take Metronidazole in the complex treatment of infectious pneumonia , endocarditis and joint diseases.
7. Metronidazole is prescribed to eliminate sepsis , pseudomembranous colitis after a long period of use of potent antibiotics.

Analogues and dosage forms

There are cases when Metronidazole works better when administered intravenously, and the treatment of wounds and acne can also be carried out using external application of the drug. For this purpose, the medicine is added to infusion solutions, gels and suppositories. Below are presented both possible dosage forms of the substance itself and its substitutes.

Metronidazole is produced by several manufacturers, so technology, excipients and prices may vary. The solution for infusion is sold both ready-made in bottles and in the form of a concentrate for preparation. You can replace the drug with products based on ornidazole: this substance belongs to the same group and has a similar spectrum of action.

Often manufacturers do not hide the active substance in the name, so it is easy to find a similar drug under a different name. An example is Metronidazole Akos, which is sold in the form of tablets, concentrate or ready-made solution. Metronidazole Nycomed also has several forms, the tablets of which are film-coated. Trichopolum is more difficult to recognize; Working with the same substance, the medicine is available in solid and liquid dosage forms, including in the form of 500 mg vaginal tablets.

Metronidazole solution

In some cases requiring Metronidazole, an IV to administer the drug directly into the blood will bring the greatest benefit to the patient. The solution can be infused into the patient the day before and after abdominal surgery to prevent infection: this way the medicine spreads faster and begins to work. A dropper is also used in the treatment of tumors using radiation: Metronidazole reduces the resistance of cancer cells to radiation.

Most often, individuals over 12 years of age are initially given an intravenous dosage of 500 to 1000 mg, and then the concentration is maintained by administering another 500 mg of metronidazole every 8 hours. Children under 12 years of age are prescribed 7.5 mg of the drug per 1 kg of body weight. To a patient of any age, the medicine is first administered by drip, and if well tolerated, they switch to jet administration. In all cases, it is recommended to replace infusions with oral administration as soon as possible.

Vaginal suppositories

Metronidazole suppositories help to achieve a quick effect in the treatment of diseases of the genital organs and urinary tract of women. Suppositories are inserted directly into the vagina; the drug has a local effect, fighting infectious agents without losing time for absorption in the stomach and distribution. Suppositories are used once a day, before bed (sometimes twice - morning and evening), and the course of treatment is set from a week to 10 days.

This form is also useful for thrush: in this case, the course of treatment starts from 5 days and should not exceed 10. Another method of treatment involves a single use of a dosage similar to 2000 mg of metronidazole. After using the suppository, women are advised to lie down for half an hour, and in order not to spoil their underwear, wear a sanitary pad. Also, treatment with candles should be carried out after performing appropriate hygiene procedures.

Gels and ointments with metronidazole

Forms of the drug for external use are used to treat processes on the skin and mucous membranes. Metronidazole is not a hormonal drug; it acts on pathogens and does not affect the human endocrine system. Before applying the medicine, the skin is cleaned and the ointment is applied in a thin layer. New portions are used twice a day: morning and evening. Treatment is carried out for 3-4 months. Below you can see examples of the use of this form of medication:

• rosacea, facial acne, seborrhea;
• ulcers on the extremities, bedsores, wounds infected with bacteria and burns;
• anal fissures and hemorrhoids.

In combination with other drugs, gels are used to treat gum inflammation due to stomatitis: they are lubricated twice a day. For the same purpose, a dosage of 500 mg is taken orally twice a day. This treatment lasts from 3 to 5 days. For dental infections, tablets are prescribed: 500 mg 3 times a day for 10 days.

Vaginal gel is sold with an applicator for insertion into the vagina and is used in a similar way to suppositories. The advantage of external use is low absorption and fewer side effects. An example of a metronidazole-based gel is Metrogyl. Rozex is also known in the form of a cream.

Ornidazole - a substitute for metronidazole

Having a similar chemical structure, ornidazole fights approximately the same microorganisms as metronidazole. Tablets and solution for infusion are prescribed for amoebiasis, trichomoniasis, giardiasis and for the prevention of infections after operations. Vaginal tablets are used in gynecology. Side effects and contraindications for both substances are similar: ornidazole also affects the nervous system and is not indicated in the first trimester of pregnancy. Breastfeeding is discontinued during treatment with ornidazole.

However, there are differences between the drugs. The spectrum of action of metronidazole is somewhat wider, which means it affects a larger number of pathogens. At the same time, ornidazole and alcohol taken on the same day do not cause serious side effects. Examples of products containing ornidazole are Ornidazole and Dazolic tablets. They are sold in a dosage of 500 mg and are film-coated.

Description of the drug

Metronidazole is a drug that has antimicrobial and antiprotozoal effects. This begs the question: is it an antibiotic? The medicine is not an antibiotic. Available in the form of injections, tablets, capsules, and is included in many ointments, gels for external use, suppositories, external solutions and for droppers. There are many analogues of the drug, including Phagometan, Metrogyl.

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It is used intravenously, orally, rectally and topically if it is an ointment or gel. Depending on the form of the drug, the method of application also differs. The dosage is determined by the attending physician.

Metrogyl is an analogue of Metronidazole

Ointments, gels and creams based on Metronidazole are used with caution to avoid getting them into the eyes. If this cannot be avoided, you should rinse your eyes with running water.