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Metronidazole

 

Metronidazole (generic Flagyl) Review

brand name: Flagyl
generic name: Metronidazole

Why is Flagyl prescribed?

Flagyl is an antibacterial drug prescribed for certain vaginal and urinary tract infections in men and women; amebic dysentery and liver abscess; and infections of the abdomen, skin, bones and joints, brain, lungs, and heart caused by certain bacteria.

Not to be used in

• Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
  
  

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Why should Flagyl (Metronidazole) not be prescribed?

Flagyl (Metronidazole) should not be used during the first 3 months of pregnancy to treat vaginal infections. Do not take Flagyl if you have ever had an allergic reaction to or are sensitive to metronidazole or similar drugs. Tell your doctor about any drug reactions you have experienced.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Flagyl (Metronidazole) in pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if it is clearly needed. Flagyl appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If Flagyl (Metronidazole) is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.

Warning!

• If your treatment course exceeds 10 days it is recommended that you are monitored by your doctor, who may carry out tests to check for side effects and that the medicine is working properly.
  
  
• Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antibiotic medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.
  
  
• This medicine may cause various side effects that could impair your mental or physical ability to safely drive or operate machinary. You should be aware of how you react to this medicine before driving or operating machinary.
  
  
• You should not drink alcohol while taking this antibiotic, and for at least 48 hours after finishing the course, as this can cause unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, hot flushes, headache and palpitations.
  
  
• Metronidazole suspension should be taken an hour before food or on an empty stomach.
  
  

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Flagyl (Metronidazole)

Do not drink alcohol while taking Flagyl (Metronidazole) and for at least 72 hours after your last dose.

If Flagyl (Metronidazole) is taken with certain other drugs, decreased, the effects of either could be increased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Flagyl with any of the following:

Blood thinners such as Coumadin
Cholestyramine (Questran)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Lithium (Eskalith)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)