Information specific to: Metronidazole 1g suppositories when used in Bacterial infections.
Metronidazole (Met-ron-eye-daz-ol) is a medicine which is used in treatment and prevention of certain types of infections.
The information in this Medicine Guide for Metronidazole varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.
Your medicine
Metronidazole is used to treat certain types of infections. These include infections of the mouth, intestines, bones and genital tract. Metronidazole is also used to prevent infections occurring after surgery.
Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should use. It also tells you how often you should use your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should use. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
Whether this medicine is suitable for you
Metronidazole is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a bad reaction to nitroimidazoles in the past
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- have a disease of the central nervous system
- have liver problems
As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:
- to check that this medicine is not having any undesired effects
Over time it is possible that Metronidazole can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Metronidazole has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
In the case of Metronidazole:
- this medicineinteracts with alcohol
You must not drink any alcohol while you are using this medicine and for at least two days after you stop using this medicine.
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
In the case of Metronidazole:
- there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when using Metronidazole
Driving and operating machinery
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
In the case of Metronidazole:
- this medicine could affect your ability to drive or operate machinery
You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
In the case of Metronidazole:
- the use of this medicine during pregnancy is not recommended. You should only use this medicine during pregnancy if your doctor thinks that you need it
You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.
If the decision is that you should not have Metronidazole, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
In the case of Metronidazole:
- you should only use this medicine while breast-feeding if your doctor thinks you need it
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. You should only breast-feed your baby while taking this medicine on the advice of your doctor or midwife.
Taking other medicines
If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. At times your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, in other cases this may not be appropriate.
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
The following medicines may interact with Metronidazole:
- 5-fluorouracil
- busulfan
- ciclosporin
- disulfiram
- lithium
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- warfarin
The following types of medicine may interact with Metronidazole:
If you are taking Metronidazole and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.
If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Metronidazole.
Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
