what is metronidazole used for
2007-03-12 06:45:55 · 4 answers · asked by MARK H 1 in Health ➔ Men's Health
Metronidazole is used to treat a variety of infections. It belongs to a class of antibiotics known as nitroimidazoles. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria and protozoa.
This antibiotic only treats bacterial and protozoal infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.
How to use Metronidazole Oral
This medication may be taken with food or a full glass of water or milk to prevent stomach upset. Dosage is based on your medical condition, the type of infection being treated, and your response to therapy.
Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
2007-03-12 06:51:39 · answer #1 · answered by Krystal 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Metronidazole or FLAGYL as it is called is an Antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections most often arising from the Gastrointestinal tract. It is most commonly used for a type of inflammation of the colon called "C. Diff Colitis" or pseudomembranous colitis in some instances. you get this colitis by taking other antibiotics that kill off all of the normal flora in your GI tract as well as whatever bad bacteria you didn't want. Regardless it causes your colon to go crazy so to speak and you start having terrible diarrehia. FLAGYL helps treat this. you also can use Flagyl for Bacterial Vagniosis in females. this is basically a type of UTI in women.
2007-03-12 09:01:42 · answer #2 · answered by Ran B 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Metronidazole is an antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites. Anaerobic bacteria are single-cell living organisms that thrive in low oxygen environments and can cause disease in the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis) liver (liver abscess), and pelvis ( abscess of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes). Giardia lamblia and ameba are parasites that can cause abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea in infected individuals. Metronidazole selectively blocks some of the cell functions in these microorganisms, resulting in their demise.
2007-03-12 06:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by Rhonda B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
infections
2007-03-12 07:29:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋