Antimicrobials
Metronidazole

Metronidazole

Low
Excellent
See below

Spectrum of Activity

General Information

  • N250/vial
  • N5/400mg tablet
  • N3/200mg tablet

Suspected or confirmed anaerobic infections including:

  • Intra-abdominal
  • Biliary
  • Central nervous system
  • Clostridium difficile
  • Giardia
  • Pelvic infections

Also used in:

  • Crohns disease
  • Bacterial vaginosis
  • Hepatic encephalopathy

Assess for peripheral/optic neuropathy with prolonged therapy (>6wks) or if symptoms develop.

  • Nausea
  • Metallic taste
  • Disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol
  • Peripheral neuropathy

Ethanol - Disulfiram-like reaction

Increases levels of:

  • Cyclosporine
  • Lithium
  • Warfarin
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin

Bacterial, protozoal and ameobic DNA is fragmented by reactive nitroso-imidazole radicals.

Antimicrobial class: Nitroimidazole

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 10 hours

Urine penetration: Poor

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Therapeutic

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic