Consider drugs such as Metrogil and Metronidazole. It is the same? Among unicellular, causing various diseases, bacteria and protozoa stand out. Against the former, antibiotics are widely used, which are ineffective against the latter. To combat protozoa, antiprotozoal medicines, such as Metrogil and Metronidazole, are needed, the difference of which needs to be known in more detail.
Description
These are antiprotozoal and antimicrobial agents derived from 5-nitroimidazole. The mechanism of action of these funds is the biochemical recovery of the fifth nitro group of metronidazole by transporting intracellular proteins of protozoa and anaerobic microorganisms. The reduced 5-nitro group interacts with the DNA of the cells of microorganisms, intensively inhibiting their production of nucleic acids, which leads to the destruction of these bacteria.
Activity
Many patients believe that the Metrogil gel and Metronidazole are one and the same. Both drugs are active against Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Lamblia spp., Giardiai ntestinalis, as well as obligate anaerobic microbes Bacteroides spp., Fusobacterium spp., Prevolella spp. Veillon spp. and some gram-positive microbes (Clostridium spp., Eubacterium spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Peptococcus spp.). In combination with amoxicillin, these drugs are active against Helicobacter pylori (resistance development is reduced).
Optional anaerobes and aerobic microorganisms are not sensitive to metronidazole, which is present in both medicines, but in the presence of mixed flora (anaerobes and aerobes), metronidazole synergistically works with antibiotics effective against the most common aerobes. In addition, the main substance increases the sensitivity of tumors to radiation, provokes disulfiram-like reactions, and stimulates reparative processes.
Structure
In the composition of both drugs, the active element metronidazole is present. In fact, Metronidazole and Metrogil are identical medicines, but they are produced by different pharmaceutical companies. "Metrogil" is manufactured by the Indian company "UnikFarmasyutikal", and under the name "Metronidazole" the products of various companies from various countries are sold.
Forms of release of drugs
The medicine "Metronidazole" is available in various forms:
- Flat cylindrical white tablets, each of which contains 250 mg of the active substance. They are packed in jars of 20 pieces or in blisters of 10 pieces.
- Candles that contain 0.1 g of the main substance. There are 10 candles in a pack.
- The solution for infusion is a yellowish clear liquid in plastic bottles, which contains 500 mg of the active ingredient.
- Vaginal gel 1%. 100 g of a colorless gel contain 1 g of the main active substance. Packaging - 30 g aluminum tubes in combination with an applicator.
The Metrogil medical device is produced in the following dosage forms:
- Film-coated tablets: round, biconvex, orange or pink (400 mg each). They are packaged in blisters for 10 pieces.
- Solution for insertion into a vein: pale yellow, transparent or colorless. Poured into 100 ml plastic bottles, 1 bottle in a cardboard box. In addition, the solution can be sold in ampoules of 20 ml, 5 ampoules in a cardboard box or in thermal containers.
- Vaginal gel: light yellow or colorless, uniform - in tubes of 30 g in tubes, complete with applicator.
- Gel for external use: from yellow to colorless, uniform. Packaged in aluminum tubes of 30 g.
- Suspension for oral use - 100 or 60 ml in vials.
Differences in dosage forms
As can be seen from the list of dosage forms, these drugs are slightly different. In particular, Metronidazole is in the form of suppositories, and Metrogil is not, but the second medication is in the form of a gel for external use and suspension, which cannot be said about the Metronidazole. Medicines have certain differences, which allow you to choose the necessary dosage form in each case.
Metrogil gel for external use is more popular. Instructions for both Metronidazole and Metrogil will be presented below.
Indications for appointment
Both medications have exactly the same indications for use - these include diseases provoked by the simplest microorganisms:
- Amoebic abscesses of the liver, brain, lungs and other organs.
- Leishmaniasis (a disease transmitted by insects, which manifests itself as damage to the skin or internal organs).
- Amoebic dysentery (an intestinal infection characterized by frequent urge to defecate and discharged in the form of “raspberry jelly”).
- Trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted disease that provokes pathological discharge from the genitals, pain during urination and intimacy).
- Lesions provoked by bacteroids (sinusitis, pneumonia, otitis media, damage to the oral cavity and soft tissues).
- Peritonitis (inflammatory process in the peritoneum).
- Abscess of the liver.
- Endometritis (damage to the functional layer of the uterus).
- Pelvic infections.
- Purulent lesion of the fallopian tubes.
- Skin infections.
- Gastritis, a ulcerative lesion of the tissues of the stomach caused by Helicobacter pylori.
- Prevention of infectious complications in the postoperative period.
Contraindications
"Metronidazole" and "Metrogil" have identical contraindications. Thus, these drugs can not be used in such situations:
- intolerance to metronidazole;
- low white blood cell count;
- organic diseases of the central nervous system, including epilepsy;
- 1 trimester of pregnancy;
- severe impaired liver function;
- lactation period.
Side effects
What else does the instructions for use with Metrogil and Metronidazole tell us? Since these medicines contain the same element as the main substance - metronidazole, side effects from their use are approximately the same. These include:
- digestive upset;
- metallic taste in the mouth;
- dyspeptic symptoms;
- headache;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- dizziness;
- mood decline;
- fainting conditions;
- frequent urination;
- allergy;
- joint pain.
When using vaginal suppositories “Metronidazole”, a feeling of itching and burning in the vagina may occur.
Cost
One of the main criteria according to which many people choose medicines is their price. What is better in this regard - Metronidazole or Metrogil?
The cost of the drug "Metronidazole" varies depending on the manufacturer and the form of release, and a maximum of 190 rubles. As for the Metrogil product, its price depends only on the dosage form, since there is only one manufacturer of this product. The cost of the medication is approximately 150-240 rubles.
Why does the question arise: Metrogil and Metronidazole are one and the same?
Difference
There is a lot of debate on the forums about which pharmacological drug is better - Metrogil or Metronidazole. It should be noted that both drugs have identical pharmacological characteristics that allow the use of these drugs with the same pathologies. This also applies to contraindications to these medicines, and to side effects that they can provoke. Thus, there is no fundamental difference between Metrogil and Metronidazole, both drugs can be used. Their difference is the form of release. For example, in the treatment of intravaginal lesions, Metronidazole is used, as a rule, since this drug is produced in the form of suppositories. At the same time, if there is a need to use the drug in liquid form, then in such a situation the patient will prefer Metrogil medicine, since it is available in the form of a suspension.
Also, Metronidazole and Metrogil differ in the method of application. Systemic drugs include oral tablets, solutions for infusion. They are used in the general treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of any of the body systems.
Metrogil and Metronidazole in the form of a gel, cream, vaginal suppository belong to local action with one active substance. They are used topically for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory pathologies in the field of dentistry, urology, gynecology, and dermatology.
What's better?
The prices of Metronidazole and Metrogil are quite difficult to compare, since these drugs are available in various dosage forms. But their cost does not differ significantly, so there is no fundamental difference, which drug to buy. So, gels for external use, vaginal and dental gels are suitable for local therapy for the treatment of infections that occur easily. Tablets are used primarily in the treatment of gastric ulcers and intestinal infections. A solution for intravenous administration is necessary in fairly severe conditions of the patient. Which is better - "Metrogil" or "Metronidazole", you decide.
Similar drugs
These drugs in the modern pharmaceutical market have a wide range of analogues. These include:
- "Batsimeks".
- Ergotex.
- Metrovagin.
- "Metrolaker."
- "Metroksan."
- Deflamon.
- Klion.
- "Orvagil."
- Rosamet.
- "Syptrogil."
- "Trichopolum."
- "Trichosept."
- "Flagil".
Despite such a variety of similar medications, they can also differ in certain parameters of quality and effectiveness. In addition, the use of such drugs is necessary in dosages strictly prescribed by the doctor, therefore it is not recommended to use them without a specialist's prescription. This can provoke a deterioration in the condition and the development of adverse reactions.
We have described the preparations in detail. What do the reviews say? Which is better - "Metrogil" gel or "Metronidazole"?
Patient Comments
Patient reviews about these medications are quite controversial. However, this difference in views is due, by and large, to personal preferences. An important role is played by the form of release. Someone is more suitable for tablets or suspension, someone prefers gel or ointment. Judging by the reviews of experts, both Metrogil and Metronidazole are pretty good, effective means, the main thing is not to self-medicate and follow the doctor’s instructions and recommendations. So what exactly do the patients say?
There are many positive reviews about the second medication, and patients characterize this remedy as highly effective and inexpensive. It is used for a variety of infectious diseases of non-bacterial origin, in which antibiotics do not produce the desired effect. For example, Metronidazole is often prescribed for women with various gynecological diseases. Patients note that the effectiveness of this medicine is very high, it is well tolerated and practically does not cause adverse reactions if used in the form of vaginal suppositories. In this case, a burning sensation in the vagina often occurs, but this condition passes quite quickly.
Patients who treated digestive organ diseases with this drug say that it helped them to cope with the symptoms of the disease, but often caused stool disorders in the form of diarrhea, sometimes severe nausea and heartburn. At the same time, it was not necessary to cancel the medication, since such negative phenomena quickly disappeared on their own, without taking symptomatic agents.
About the medicine "Metrogil" there are also positive characteristics from patients. Many people believe that this tool has a lot of advantages compared to Metronidazole, and the main one is that it is produced by an Indian company, which has long established itself as a conscientious and reliable manufacturer of pharmacological drugs. According to these people, Metrogil is a more modern and high-quality medicine, and it helps to fight intensively with the diseases listed in the indications for use. Adverse reactions from this remedy are also available, but they are not pronounced and do not interfere with the patient's habitual lifestyle. It is better to familiarize yourself with the reviews of Metrogil and Metronidazole in advance.
Specialists, however, draw the attention of patients to several points: a single-component “Metronidazole” cannot be better than the drug “Metrogil”. Since the preparations contain the same active substance, they are interchangeable in the treatment of diseases of an infectious-inflammatory nature, as they are structural analogues. In the treatment of complex pathologies, both drugs are considered auxiliary: they enhance the effect and expand the spectrum of action of antibiotics of the macrolide group, third generation cephalosporins.