Metronidazole is a Nitroimidazole drug that combats infection and thus is utilized primarily to treat infections resulting from, in particular, anaerobic and protozoan organisms. It is known as the gold standard anti-anaerobic agent.

It is marketed under the trade label Flagyl. Pfizer is the manufacturer of metronidazole in the U.S. while Sanofi-Aventis produces it for the international markets. Produced by a number of generic manufacturers as well, it is available at a lower price.

Uses

Metronidazole (Flagyl) Prescription Drug treats the following diseases:

– Bacterial vaginosis

– Gynecologic infections (endometritis, endomyometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and post surgical vaginal cuff infection)

– Intra-abdominal infections, including peritonitis

– Lower respiratory tract infections

– Central nervous system infections (meningitis and brain abscess)

– Skin and skin structure infections

– Bone and joint infections

– Endocarditis

– Trichomoniasis

Mode of Action

The way Metronidazole works is by entering the aerobic bacterium and by use of the electron transport protein ferrodoxin, reduce the aerobic bacterium. The drug then affixes to the DNA, making it break apart. Metronidazole excites antioxidant activity, as found by in vitro data, and may counter and curtail rosacea symptoms.

Advantages

Among the benefits of metronidazole are:

– Swift germ killing traits

– Great percentage of susceptible Gram-negative anaerobes

– Handiness with both oral and intravenous dosage varieties

– Significantly small risk of inducing C. difficile colitis

– Excellent tissue diffusion

Disadvantages

Some of the drawbacks of Metronidazole are:

– Gastrointestinal tract symptoms may result from the elevated toxic level. Continual toxicity brings about neurological harm. This increases the risk for convulsive seizures and peripheral neuropathy.

– Taking alcohol when on metronidazole produces a disulfiram-type reaction which can produce nausea, vomiting, reddening of the skin, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), shortness of breath or death. Consuming alcohol should be avoided while undergoing systemic metronidazole therapy, and for a minimum period of 24 hours following treatment.

– Metabolized Metronidazole hydroxy can present the risk of being cancer-causing. Additionally, metronidazole is a known cancer causing agent in animals. Do not use this medication unnecessarily.