Antimicrobials
Metronidazole

Metronidazole

Low
Excellent
$

Spectrum of Activity

Dosing

General Information

Suspected or confirmed anaerobic infections including:

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

Also used in:

  • 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