Metronidazole Tablets 250mg: Effective Treatment for Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
Description:
Metronidazole tablets 250mg are a versatile and effective medication used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria and parasites. This comprehensive guide explores the key features, uses, and important information regarding this medication.
Active Ingredient:
Metronidazole
Dosage:
250mg
Release Form:
Tablets
Appearance:
White tablets with a yellowish-greenish tint, flat-cylindrical, with a risk on one side and a chamfer.
Pharmacological Action:
Metronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoal drug belonging to the 5-nitroimidazole group. It effectively combats:
- Protozoa: Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Gardnerella vaginalis, Giardia intestinalis, Lamblia spp.
- Anaerobic bacteria: Bacteroides spp., Fusobacterium spp., Veillonella spp., Prevotella spp., Eubacter spp., Clostridium spp., Peptococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp.
Metronidazole also synergizes with antibiotics effective against aerobic bacteria in mixed infections.
Indications for Use:
Parasitic Infections:
- Trichomoniasis: Symptomatic and asymptomatic cases in both women and men.
- Amoebiasis: Acute intestinal amoebiasis and liver abscess caused by amoebas.
Bacterial Infections:
- Severe anaerobic bacterial infections: Including intra-abdominal, skin and skin structure, gynecological, bacterial septicemia, bone and joint, central nervous system, lower respiratory tract, and endocarditis infections.
Dosage and Administration:
Metronidazole tablets are taken orally, during or after a meal, without chewing.
- Trichomoniasis:
- One-day course: 2 grams (8 tablets) as a single dose or divided into two doses of 1 gram (4 tablets) twice a day.
- Seven-day course: 250 mg (1 tablet) three times a day for 7 days.
- Amoebiasis:
- Adults: 750 mg orally three times a day for 5 to 10 days.
- Children: 35–50 mg/kg daily divided into three oral doses for 10 days.
- Anaerobic Bacterial Infections: 7.5 mg/kg every six hours by mouth (about 500 mg for a 70 kg patient). Maximum daily dose: 4 g.
Pregnancy and Lactation:
- First trimester: Metronidazole is contraindicated.
- Second and Third trimesters: Use with caution only in case of emergency, carefully weighing the benefits to the mother and risks to the fetus.
- Lactation: Metronidazole passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding should be stopped during treatment.
Precautions:
- Alcohol: Ethanol is contraindicated during treatment due to the risk of disulfiram-like reactions.
- Sexual Activity: Refrain from sexual activity during treatment for trichomoniasis. Treat both partners simultaneously.
- Menstruation: Treatment should continue during menstruation.
- Candidiasis: Symptoms of candidal infection may appear during treatment.
- Long-term Use: Carefully weigh the potential benefits and risks of long-term use.
- Porphyria: Use with caution in patients with porphyria.
- Renal Impairment: No dose adjustment is needed.
- Hepatic Insufficiency: Doses may need to be reduced.
- Monitoring: Regular clinical and laboratory monitoring is recommended, especially for long-term use.
Drug Interactions:
- Anticoagulants: Metronidazole enhances the effect of indirect anticoagulants, requiring dose adjustment.
- Microsomal Oxidation Enzymes: Drugs stimulating microsomal oxidation enzymes may accelerate metronidazole excretion.
- Cimetidine: Cimetidine inhibits metronidazole metabolism, potentially increasing its concentration and side effects.
- Disulfiram: Avoid simultaneous use due to neurological symptoms.
- Lithium: May increase lithium plasma concentration and intoxication symptoms.
- Non-Depolarizing Muscle Relaxants: Combination not recommended.
- Sulfonamides: Enhance metronidazole’s antimicrobial effect.
- Alcohol: Causes disulfiram-like reactions.
- 5-Fluorouracil: Metronidazole reduces 5-fluorouracil clearance, potentially increasing toxicity.
- Ciclosporin: May elevate serum ciclosporin levels.
- Busulfan: May increase busulfan plasma levels and toxicity.
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity
- Leukopenia (including history)
- Organic lesions of the central nervous system (including epilepsy)
- Liver failure (in case of high doses)
- Pregnancy (first trimester)
- Lactation period
- Children under 6 years of age
Side Effects:
- Common: Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, drowsiness.
- Rare: Agranulocytosis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, fever, depression, hallucinations, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, optic neuritis, liver enzyme elevation, rash, itching, myalgia, arthralgia, dark urine.
Overdose:
- Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, convulsions.
- Treatment: Gastric lavage, activated charcoal, symptomatic therapy. Hemodialysis is effective for removal.
Storage:
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light, at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Disclaimer:
This information is intended for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication.
Keywords:
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