Is Metronidazole an antibiotic or not? You will find the answer to this medical question below. Also, from the materials of the presented article, you will learn about what this remedy is intended for, what forms of release it has, how this medication should be used and what its cost in pharmacies is.
Forms of release, packaging and composition of the drug
Before answering the question about what the medicine “Metronidazole” is (is it an antibiotic or not), it is necessary to tell in what forms it can be found in a pharmacy.
Currently, this drug is available in the following forms:
- 0.5% solution for infusion. It has a transparent color with a greenish tint. The active substance of the drug is metronidazole. Sold in 100 ml vials placed in a cardboard box.
- White and round pills. The active substance of the drug is metronidazole. Tablets are placed in a blister strip packaging of ten pieces. One cardboard pack can contain 1, 5 or 2 packs.
- Vaginal suppositories "Metronidazole" (suppositories). The use of this drug should be carried out only as directed by a doctor. Candles have a white color (can also be with a yellowish tint) and a torpedo shape. 1 suppository contains an active substance such as metronidazole. Ten pieces are sold in a cardboard box.
- Vaginal gel. The active component of the drug is metronidazole. Available in a 30 g tube with a special applicator for intravaginal administration.
- Cream. The active component of the drug is metronidazole. On sale comes in a 15 g tube, which is placed in a cardboard box.
- Outer gel. The active substance of the drug is metronidazole. On sale comes in a 15 g tube, which is placed in a cardboard box.
Pharmacological characteristics of the drug
What is Metronidazole? Is it an antibiotic or not? The medication we are considering is an antimicrobial and antiprotozoal agent, as well as a derivative of five-nitroimidazole.
The principle of action of this drug is to restore (biochemical) the five-nitro group of transport intracellular proteins of anaerobic and simple microorganisms.
After recovery, the five-nitro group begins to interact with the DNA of the cells of microorganisms, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of their acids (nucleic acids), resulting in the death of bacteria.
Reception "Metronidazole" can be prescribed to the patient to suppress Trichomonas and dysentery amoeba, as well as obligate anaerobes and some gram-positive microorganisms.
In combination with an antibiotic such as Amoxicillin, this drug exhibits good activity against Helicobacter pylori.
It should also be noted that anaerobes optional and aerobic microorganisms are insensitive to the active substance of this agent. However, in the presence of mixed flora (anaerobes and aerobes), this drug acts synergistically with those antibiotics that are effective against conventional aerobes.
It should also be noted that this tool increases the sensitivity of malignant tumors to radiation, and also causes sensitization to alcoholic beverages (that is, it has a disulfiram-like effect).
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
How long is the drug “Metronidazole" absorbed? Instructions for use, reviews of doctors about this medicine say that this drug has a fairly high penetrating ability. After use, the active substance quickly (in about an hour) reaches bactericidal concentrations in all fluids and in most tissues of the human body, including such internal organs as the kidneys, lungs, skin, liver, brain, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, bile, amniotic fluid, vaginal secretion, abscess cavity, breast milk and seminal fluid. It should also be noted that the active element of this drug easily penetrates the blood-brain and placental barriers.
The half-life of the drug (with normal liver function) is about 8 hours. If the patient’s liver has an alcoholic lesion, then this value increases markedly (up to 18 hours).
The drug is excreted through the kidneys (about 80%), as well as through the intestines (about 20%).
Indications for use
In what cases can a patient be prescribed Metronidazole? Analogues of this tool and the medicine itself have the following indications:
- extraintestinal amoebiasis, including liver abscess (amoebic);
- intestinal amoebiasis (or so-called amoebic dysentery) ;
- Trichomonas vaginitis;
- trichomoniasis;
- various infections, including joints, bones, central nervous system;
- Trichomonas urethritis ;
- meningitis;
- protozoal infections;
- pneumonia;
- brain abscess
- empyema;
- bacterial endocarditis;
- lung abscess;
- pelvic infections (ovarian abscess, fallopian tubes, endometritis, vaginal fornix infections);
- sepsis;
- pseudomembranous colitis associated with the use of antibacterial drugs;
- abdominal infections (liver abscess or peritonitis);
- gastritis or ulcer of the duodenum (or stomach) associated with the presence of Helicobacter pylori;
- radiation treatment of patients with tumors (used as a radiosensitizing agent);
- prevention of complications that arose after surgery (operations on the pararectal region, colon, gynecological surgery, appendectomy).
Contraindications
In what cases is it forbidden to use the Metronidazole? Instructions for use, reviews of specialists contain the following list of contraindications:
- lesions (of an organic nature) of the central nervous system, including epilepsy;
- leukopenia, including a history of;
- liver failure (when prescribing large dosages);
- pregnancy time (especially in the 1st trimester);
- hypersensitivity to components;
- lactation period.
Medication "Metronidazole": instructions
We will provide reviews about this medicine a little further. Now we’ll tell you how this drug should be taken.
Tablets
- With amoebiasis - 1.5 g per day in 3 divided doses for a week.
- With giardiasis - 750-1000 mg per day in 3 divided doses for 5 days (taken only after meals).
- With trichomoniasis in the fairer sex (vaginitis and urethritis) - once 2 g or in the form of course therapy for 10 days at 250 mg twice a day (the course is repeated after 4-7 weeks).
- With trichomoniasis in the stronger sex (urethritis) - once 2 g or in the form of course therapy for 10 days at 250 mg twice a day (the course is repeated after 4-7 weeks).
- With non-specific vaginitis - 500 mg twice a day for a week
- With anaerobic infections - 1-1.5 g per day.
Injection
Intramuscular administration of the drug is indicated only in severe cases of the disease, as well as if there is no possibility of taking the drug inside.
A single dosage is 500 mg. The interval between administrations should be at least 8 hours. The duration of therapy is determined individually. The maximum daily amount of the drug should be no more than 4 g.
Gel and cream external
How should I use the external preparation Metronidazole? The effect of this medication will be most effective if it is used in conjunction with general antibiotic therapy.
A thin layer of gel or cream is applied to the skin twice a day (after waking up and before bedtime). The duration of treatment is 3-7 weeks. The gel and cream can be alternated every 12 hours.
Vaginal gel
Use intravaginally. The dosage should be 5 g. It is advisable to inject the gel twice a day (after waking up and before bedtime) for 5 days.
Vaginal suppositories
The drug is used intravaginally. The candle is inserted deep into the vagina with a pointed end. For the treatment of trichomonas vaginitis, one suppository is prescribed twice a day for 10 days. For the treatment of nonspecific vaginitis, 1 suppository is used twice a day for a week.
Is the Metronidazole medication an antibiotic or not?
This question is often of interest to those to whom the medication was prescribed. As mentioned above, the drug "Metronidazole" is a drug that is obtained synthetically, it has a wide spectrum of action. Therefore, in answer to the question, experts argue that this tool is not an antibiotic. After all, antibiotics are called natural substances derived from special mushrooms. As for metronidazole, it does not occur in nature. It is obtained chemically.
Analogs and price of medicine
How much is the drug "Metronidazole"? Analogues of this tool and the medication itself have a not very high cost. Depending on the form of release, this medicine may have a different price. On average, it varies between 15-150 Russian rubles.
Currently, there are a huge number of analogues of this drug. The most popular are the following drugs: Trichopol, Metronidazole-AKOS, Metronidal, Batsimeks, Trichosept, Metrolaker, Deflamon, Metroseptol, Klion, Trichobrol, Metrovagin ”,“ Rosex ”,“ Metrovit ”,“ Sittrogil ”,“ Metrogil ”,“ Metron ”,“ Metroksan ”,“ Orvagil ”,“ Rosamet ”,“ Flagil ”and so on.
Drug Reviews
There are a large number of positive reviews about this drug. Many patients claim that this remedy very quickly cures various infections, including gastritis and a stomach ulcer. However, it should be noted that no less than the number of patients complains of side effects that occur immediately after taking the drug. Patients experience a metallic taste in the mouth, weakness, dizziness, apathy, severe headaches, fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, etc.