Consider the drug Metronidazole. Why do doctors prescribe pills to their patients? You will find the answer to this question in the materials of the article. You will also learn about what other forms of release of this tool exist, how they should be taken.
General pharmacological information
Medication Metronidazole, the price of which varies between 8-10 Russian rubles for 20 tablets, is an effective antiprotozoal and antibacterial synthetic drug. It should be noted that this is the cheapest tool in its group.
Forms of release and composition of the drug
What is the drug "Metronidazole"? Why are pills prescribed by doctors? What side effects can they cause? We will answer all these questions below. Now I want to talk about in what other forms this tool goes on sale:
- 0.5% solution for infusion. Such a tool is a greenish clear liquid. In 1 ml of the drug contains about 5 mg of the active ingredient - metronidazole. The solution for infusion goes on sale in bottles of 100 ml, which are packed in a cardboard box.
- Tablets. One tablet of Metronidazole contains 0.25 g of the main substance. The drug goes on sale in 10, 20 and 50 pieces.
- Vaginal suppositories. One candle contains 0.5, 0.25 or 0.125 g of active ingredient. Suppositories are available in ten pieces in a cardboard box, have a torpedo shape and white color (can be with a yellowish tinge).
- 1% colorless vaginal gel. 100 g of this product contains 1 g of the active substance. Available in aluminum tubes of 30 g each. An applicator is included.
Pharmacodynamics
How does the Metronidazole drug work? Tablets, reviews of which are very diverse, restore 5-nitro groups at the biochemical level using intracellular transport proteins of anaerobic microorganisms and protozoa. As a result of such exposure, all pathogenic bacteria begin to die.
In what other cases is the drug "Metronidazole" indicated? From what tablets are prescribed for patients with duodenal ulcer and stomach? As you know, in combination with the antibiotic Amoxicillin, this medication is active against such a microorganism as Helicobacter pylori.
It should also be noted that some optional anaerobes and aerobic microorganisms are resistant to this drug. However, in the presence of mixed flora, the Metronidazole medication begins to act synergistically with antibiotics that are effective against aerobes.
Among other things, such a drug can increase the sensitivity of tumors to radiation, as well as have a disulfiram-like effect and stimulate reparative processes.
The drug "Metronidazole": what tablets?
The medication in question is prescribed for the following problems:
- Protozoal infections (e.g. trichomonas vaginitis, extraintestinal and intestinal amebiasis, balantidiasis, trichomoniasis, giardiasis, trichomonas urethritis and cutaneous leishmaniasis).
- Infections of the joints, central nervous system and bones (e.g., lung abscess, brain, meningitis, pneumonia, bacterial endocarditis and empyema).
- Infections of the abdominal cavity (for example, liver abscess, etc.), pelvic infections (endomyometritis, endometritis, abscess of the ovaries and fallopian tubes), vagina after surgery, soft tissues and skin integuments.
- Gastritis or duodenal ulcer (stomach) associated with Helicobacter pylori.
- Sepsis, which is caused by Bacteroides spp.
- Pseudomembranous colitis directly associated with the use of antibiotics.
- Alcoholism.
- As a radiosensitizing drug during radiation therapy.
- For the prevention of postoperative infections.
Contraindications
In what cases can not use the drug "Metronidazole"? Tablets (reviews of them will be discussed later), suppositories, infusion solution and gel are not recommended for use with:
- leukopenia (including a history);
- organic lesions of the central nervous system;
- epilepsy;
- liver failure (especially in high dosages);
- during the first three months of pregnancy;
- lactation;
- hypersensitivity.
Medication "Metronidazole": use in tablets
This tool is recommended to be taken only after a meal. Its dosage and duration of therapy depend on the type of disease and the age of the patient.
In case of trichomoniasis, Metronidazole tablets are taken twice a day, two at a time for ten days. It should also be noted that during treatment it is advisable to use vaginal suppositories. Suppositories are prescribed twice a day in two pieces (in the evening and in the morning). Candle therapy should be performed at the very beginning of the menstrual cycle. The course of treatment can be repeated after thirty days. For children, the drug is prescribed in the following dosages: over eleven years old - up to 500 mg per day, at 5-11 years old - up to 375 mg, in 2-5 years old - 250 mg each.
If a cyst is detected, the drug is prescribed in the amount of two tablets up to three times a day. The duration of therapy can be from five to eight days.
Treatment with "metronidazole" giardiasis should be performed within 5-8 days (two tablets twice a day).
In chronic amoebiasis, the drug is prescribed at 1.5 g. The dosage is recommended to be divided into three doses. The duration of treatment is 5-11 days.
With amoebic dysentery (acute), the medication should be taken at 2.25 g per day until the symptoms stop. The dosage must be divided into three doses.
With balantidiasis, Metronidazole is prescribed 750 mg three times a day for 5-8 days.
In combination with antibiotics of the tetracycline group and other treatment methods for liver abscess, a maximum of 2.5 g is prescribed for 3-5 days.
With ulcerative stomatitis, it is recommended to take two tablets of the drug twice a day (up to five days). For the treatment of alcoholism should take two tablets a day for six months.
If the patient has severe impaired renal function, then the daily dosage should be reduced by half. In severe infections, as well as if it is not possible to take Metronidazole inside, it is prescribed intravenously. In this case, the dosage should be no more than 4 g per day. If the patient's condition improves, he should switch to oral medication.
Side effects
Many patients believe that this medication is a common antibiotic. Metronidazole is not an antibiotic. This is only an antiprotozoal and antibacterial synthetic drug with a wide spectrum of action. But this fact does not make it safer. According to the instructions, such a drug has a huge number of side effects. Among them are the following:
- Diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, vomiting, constipation, nausea, glossitis, metallic taste in the mouth, pancreatitis.
- Cystitis, urinary incontinence, candidiasis, polyuria, dysuria, staining of urine in a brownish-red color.
- Dizziness, hallucinations, confusion, depression, irritability, irritability and impaired coordination of movements.
- Urticaria, skin rash, fever, flushing of the skin, arthralgia, nasal congestion.
- Neutropenia and leukopenia.
Reviews about the drug
The drug "Metronidazole" (tablets), the use of which we examined in this article, has many positive and negative reviews. Those patients who have repeatedly used this drug to treat a disease note its high effectiveness. However, many of them quite often complain that the medication has many side effects, most of which appear on the second or third day of treatment. It all starts with an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. Further, severe headaches, dizziness, discomfort in the upper abdomen, etc. can be observed.
With severe side effects, doctors recommend stopping the medication and replace it with a similar remedy.
It's important to know
During the use of the considered medicinal product, special care must be taken while using other drugs. This is due to the fact that the patient may manifest unwanted side effects. It should also be noted that during the treatment with the medicine “Metronidazole” it is not recommended to take alcohol because of the possible development of neurological symptoms.