Metronidazole belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics.

Uses

Metronidazole infusion is used to treat serious bacterial infections in different areas of the body.

It is also used to prevent infections in the bowels before and after surgery for some patients.

It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Agitation
2. back pain
3. blindness
4. blurred vision
5. burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the hands or feet
6. confusion
7. decreased vision
8. dizziness
9. drowsiness
10. eye pain
11. fever
12. headache
13. irritability
14. mood or mental changes
15. nausea
16. seeing or hearing things that are not there
17. seizures
18. stiff neck or back
19. unsteadiness or awkwardness
20. unusual tiredness or weakness
21. vomiting
22. weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Incidence not known

1. Black, tarry stools
2. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
3. changes in skin color
4. changes in speech patterns
5. chest pain
6. chills
7. cough
8. diarrhea
9. fainting
10. feeling of warmth
11. itching
12. joint or muscle pain
13. lower back or side pain
14. pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
15. painful or difficult urination
16. pale skin
17. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
18. red, irritated eyes
19. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
20. shakiness and unsteady walk
21. slurred speech
22. sore throat
23. sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
24. trouble with speaking
25. unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
26. unusual bleeding or bruising

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

1. Dry mouth
2. hives or welts
3. redness of the skin
4. skin rash
5. stomach discomfort
6. stuffy nose
7. unpleasant metallic taste

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins.

Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress while you are receiving this medicine. This is to make sure that the infection is cleared up. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

You should not receive metronidazole if you have taken disulfiram (Antabuse®) within the last 2 weeks. Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

Drinking alcoholic beverages while you are receiving this medicine may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, or flushing or redness of the face. Other alcohol-containing preparations (eg, elixirs, cough syrups, tonics) may also cause problems. This medicine may also cause alcoholic beverages to taste different. You should not drink alcoholic beverages or take other alcohol-containing preparations while you are receiving this medicine and for at least 3 days after stopping it.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dizziness, problems with muscle control or coordination, shakiness or an unsteady walk, slurred speech, or trouble with speaking. These may be symptoms of a serious brain condition called encephalopathy.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

Call your doctor right away if you have confusion, drowsiness, fever, a general feeling of illness, a headache, loss of appetite, nausea, a stiff neck or back, or vomiting. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called aseptic meningitis.

This medicine may increase your risk of having serious liver problems, which may be life-threatening. This is more likely if you have Cockayne syndrome (rare form of dwarfism). Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Disclaimer: Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.