Metronidazole

Metronidazole should be taken exactly as directed by the pharmacist, prescriber or the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

Take the tablets with or after food and swallow them with water. Complete the full course as directed, even if your symptoms improve before the course is finished. Stopping early may increase the chance of symptoms returning or treatment not working properly.

Do not drink alcohol while taking metronidazole and avoid alcohol for 48 hours after finishing the course. Alcohol can react with metronidazole and may cause unpleasant effects such as feeling sick, vomiting, stomach pain, hot flushes, palpitations and headache.

Avoid using metronidazole that has been prescribed for someone else, and do not share your medicine with another person. If your symptoms do not improve, come back quickly after treatment, or you develop new symptoms, you should seek further clinical advice.

Metronidazole tablets contain metronidazole as the active ingredient.

Other ingredients vary depending on the manufacturer. They may include tablet excipients such as cellulose-based ingredients, starches, povidone, magnesium stearate, silica, colourings or coating ingredients. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your specific medicine, especially if you have allergies or have been told you are intolerant to certain ingredients.

Some people experience side effects while taking metronidazole. Common side effects can include feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, a metallic taste in the mouth, coated tongue or headache.

Less common but more serious side effects can occur. Seek medical advice promptly if you develop a severe skin reaction, signs of an allergic reaction, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty, severe dizziness, confusion, seizures, yellowing of the skin or eyes, persistent numbness, tingling, weakness or symptoms that feel severe or unusual.

Metronidazole is not suitable for everyone. It may not be appropriate if you have previously had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or similar medicines, have certain liver conditions, have a history of blood disorders, have neurological conditions, are taking interacting medicines, or are pregnant or breastfeeding without clinical review.

You should list all current medicines during your consultation, including prescribed medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and herbal products. Metronidazole can interact with some medicines, including warfarin and other anticoagulants, lithium, disulfiram and some medicines that affect liver metabolism.

BV symptoms can overlap with other conditions. Seek further advice if you have pelvic pain, pain during sex, bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, fever, pregnancy concerns, sores, blisters, abnormal bleeding, green or yellow discharge, symptoms after a new sexual partner, or if you may be at risk of a sexually transmitted infection.