Metronidazole
Antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Metronidazole, sold under the brand name Flagyl among others, is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication.[9] It is used either alone or with other antibiotics to treat pelvic inflammatory disease, endocarditis, and bacterial vaginosis.[9] It is effective for dracunculiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis, and amebiasis.[9] It is an option for a first episode of mild-to-moderate Clostridioides difficile colitis if vancomycin or fidaxomicin is unavailable.[9][10] Metronidazole is available orally (by mouth), as a cream or gel, and by slow intravenous infusion (injection into a vein).[9][3]
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Trade names | Flagyl |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a689011 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth, topical, rectal, intravenous, vaginal |
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Bioavailability | 80% (by mouth), 60–80% (rectal), 20–25% (vaginal)[6][7][8] |
Protein binding | 20%[6][7] |
Metabolism | Liver[6][7] |
Metabolites | Hydroxymetronidazole |
Elimination half-life | 8 hours[6][7] |
Excretion | Urine (77%), faeces (14%)[6][7] |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.489 |
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Formula | C6H9N3O3 |
Molar mass | 171.156 g·mol−1 |
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Melting point | 159 to 163 °C (318 to 325 °F) |
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Common side effects include nausea, a metallic taste, loss of appetite, and headaches.[9] Occasionally seizures or allergies to the medication may occur.[9] Some state that metronidazole should not be used in early pregnancy, while others state doses for trichomoniasis are safe.[1][weasel words] Metronidazole is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding.[1][11]
Metronidazole began to be commercially used in 1960 in France.[12] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[13] It is available in most areas of the world.[14] In 2021, it was the 194th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[15][16]