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Antimicrobials
Metronidazole

Metronidazole

Low
Excellent

Spectrum of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity
​

Dosing

General Information

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.

GI symptoms common - Especially nausea/vomiting and metallic taste

Peripheral/optic neuropathy with extended therapy

Disulfiram-like reaction (severe vomiting)

Rare neurotoxicity including aseptic meningitis and encephalopathy

Ethanol - Disulfiram-like reaction

Increases levels of:

  •  Cyclosporine
  •  Lithium
  •  Warfarin
  •  Phenobarbital
  •  Phenytoin

Antimicrobial class: Nitroimidazole

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 10 hours

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Therapeutic

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

Urine penetration: Poor

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