Metronidazole

What is Metronidazole?

The name of this medicine is metronidazole. This belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria and parasites that cause infections in your body.

How do you Take Metronidazole?

After 8 hours take another dose of 400mg and repeat this dose every 8 hours

What are the side effects?

Like all medicines, Metronidazole Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Metronidazole and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:

You get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing. You could also notice an itchy, lumpy rash (hives) or nettle rash (urticaria) This may mean you are having an allergic reaction to Metronidazole.

A serious but very rare side effect is a brain disease (encephalopathy). Symptoms vary but you might get a fever, stiff neck, headache, see or hear things that aren’t there. You might also have problems using your arms and legs, problems with speaking or feel confused.

You develop skin rashes with blistering, peeling or bleeding of the skin around the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. You may also have u-like symptoms and a high temperature. These could be signs of something called ‘Steven-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis’.

What you need to know

Do not take Metronidazole Tablets if You are allergic (hypersensitive) to metronidazole, nitroimidazoles or any of the other ingredients in your medicine (listed in Section 6: Further information). Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue. Do not take Metronidazole if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Metronidazole.