Metronidazole

Overview

Metronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent that belongs to the nitroimidazole class. Metronidazole is effective therapy against protozoa such as Trichomonas vaginalis, amebiasis, and giardiasis. In addition, Metronidazole is one of the most effective drugs available against anaerobic bacterial infections. Metronidazole is also useful in treating Crohn's disease, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and rosacea. It initially was approved by the FDA in 1963 and is available in oral, parenteral, and topical formulations.Metronidazole is amebicidal, bactericidal, and trichomonicidal. Unionized Metronidazole is readily taken up by anaerobic organisms and cells. It acts selectively aganist anaerobic bacterias as only these bacteria are capabale to reduce it to its active form intracellularly. Reduced it then disrupts DNA's helical structure, thereby inhibiting bacterial nucleic acid synthesis. This eventually results in bacterial cell death.

Categories

• 6 Anti-infective drugs
  • 6.2 Antibiotics, systemic
    • 6.2.2 Other anti-bacterial drugs
      • 6.2.2.6 Metronidazole

• 6 Anti-infective drugs
  • 6.4 Antiprotozoal drugs
  • 6.4.1 Antiamebic & antigiardiasis drugs

Page headings

Primary Characterstics

Indications

Pharmacokinetics

Contraindications

Metronidazole is contraindicated in conditions like Alcohol dependence, Blood dyscrasias, Neurosis, Seizures, Hypersensitivity, Liver damage.

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

Dosage

Metronidazole's dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
30 mg/kg	30 (30)	As recommended.	IV
15 to 50 mg/kg	32 (32.5)	As recommended.	Oral	Dose very according to condition.
400 mg	400 (400)	As recommended.	PO	For 5 to 10 days , frequency could be 2 or 3 times a day.
Paedriatic Dosage (20kg)
7.5 mg/kg	7.5 (7.5)	8 hourly	Intra Venous	-
15 mg/kg	15 (15)	As recommended.	IV Infusion	Over 60 mins.Initial then 7.5 mg/kg every 24 hour is given starting 48 hours after initial dose.
7.5 mg/kg	7.5 (7.5)	8 hourly	Oral	-
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
7.5 mg/kg	7.5 (7.5)	8 hourly	Iv Infusion
7.5 mg/kg	7.5 (7.5)	8 hourly	Oral

High Risk Groups

Warning / Precautions

Storage Conditions

Tab, Susp, Inj

Store Below 30°C. Protect from Sunlight.

Interference in Pathology

Brands / Trade Names of Metronidazole

Manufacturers of Metronidazole in Pakistan

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