Talk:Metronidazole

A note
The edit by Johnathonm is probably a copyright violation. It appears that it was copied from a numer of websites. --Clawed 09:47, 18 Apr 2005 (UTC)
 * (reverted to pre copyvio version--Duk 16:24, 26 Apr 2005 (UTC))

Internal vs External Application
Metronidazole appears to be prescribed for both internal and external conditions. The article should be edited (by someone more knowledgable than I) to indicate which side effects are related to which route of administration, as they sound likely to differ. 66.93.1.225 16:35, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
 * I agree, and I am not qualified to edit the article. I have Rozex, which is an external application of metronidazole. Do I still need to be wary of the alcohol issues? Anubis1975 05:40, 27 January 2006 (UTC)


 * Hi Anubis, it doesn't look like you need to be concerned about the alcohol interaction. Here's some info on topical metronidazole . --Uthbrian (talk) 06:03, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

hi.. i guess someone here can help me.. i was just confused, does the intravenous metronidazole needs to be skin test first or no need already??! because the other day my sister was hospitalized and it was her second time to be given a metronidazole intravenously, the confusing part is that the first time she received metronidazole intravenously a year ago it was skin-tested first and after a (-) result it was given then and now on her second time it was no longer tested and given directly i ask the nurse why he'll give it when its not yet tested and he said there's no need because it actually doesn't need to be tested.. And though my sister was ok and there's no any reaction occurred i was still confused, which is really right. Does it need to be skin tested first or no need already? I'll wait for a reply and thanks much!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.71.45.66 (talk) 07:42, 21 August 2008 (UTC)


 * To the user who posted above me: please note that this is not a help forum. This is a talk page for the discussion of edits to the article for metronidazole. If you have a medical question, please seek professional help. 72.28.178.20 (talk) 18:58, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Treatment for alcoholism?
I had a nasty experience with metronidazole when I foolishly drunk alcohol two days after finishing a course of the drug. The article mentions the nauseating effects of this combination but I've since heard that this effect used to prevent relapse in recovering alcoholics. Can anyone confirm this? --DrFod 18:17, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I gather metronidazole's effect with alcholol was used as a basis in the creation of the alcohol avoidence drug antabuse. David Ruben Talk 18:55, 20 January 2006 (UTC)


 * Hmm, information at MedlinePlus recommends a waiting period of at least 3 days after finishing . Peculiarly, one case report suggests that a woman died from the reaction .  However, it's interesting to note that the link between metronidazole and disulfiram-like reactions is now being disputed .  --Uthbrian (talk) 04:40, 21 January 2006 (UTC)

I have been prescribed metronidazole for Crohn's disease, taking 400mg daily for nearly a year now. After avoiding alcohol for the first few months, I took my GE's advice and tried a couple of beers one night. There was no adverse effect. As the article states - the adverse interaction with alcohol is not automatic - in fact fairly unlikely. My GE put it at about 5% (chance of adverse interaction with alcohol). Have drunk alcohol as per usual ever since with no adverse effects. ````

Another Use
This drug is also used to treat Hexamita in fish.

Used on Dogs ?
I took my dog to the vet, were i was given this drug for him. The vet gave me 10 250mg pill's for my dog, after takeing 3 125mg dose's my dog has bumps over 30% of his body

Acne and metronidazole
Can metronidazole be used in treating acne?Misterx 14:48, 28 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Yes, in the form of a gel. It's name brand is MetroGel. thomasc93 (talk) 18:50, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

It is used in Acne Rosecea not, as far as I know, in Acne Vulgaris.Alberich4 (talk) 23:00, 10 July 2021 (UTC)

Amoebic Dysentery from Giardia lamblia?
The article says "Amoebic dysentery due to Entamoeba histolytica or Giardia lamblia" is an indication for use, but (as I understand it) Giardia lamblia is not related to dysentery. Note that neither article references each other. I am not enough of an expert, however, to edit the article. Mike Connors - 17:12, 12 June 2007


 * Dysentry is just diarrhoea with blood. Amoebic dysentery is caused by Entamoeba histolytica. Giardia, whilst a protozoa, is not an amoeba. These are separate problems and the word "or" should be "and", i.e. "Amoebic dysentery due to Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia" - I'll have a go... David Ruben Talk 19:44, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Please note that Flagyl (metronidazole) was originally produced and marketed by May & Baker Ltd not Pfizer as suggested in the introduction. I worked in the May & Baker research labs. from 1957 to 1972. During that time it came to our notice that an alcoholic sea captain had continued to drink alcohol whilst taking Flagyl. He suffered such a severe reaction that he (reportedly) never drank again. We considered marketing Flagyl as a cure for alcoholism but decided that if a warning was given the patient would choose not to take the medication but it would be unethical if we did not do so. So we dropped the idea. David Clark 11:34 22nd Oct. 2007. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.159.59.131 (talk) 08:36, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

Extreme Foul Taste
This stuff tastes worse than anything I have ever tasted because the manufacturer is too cheap to coat the pill in sugar or something. Can we get some secondary sources on that? Agreed. The pills taste foul which could have some percussions on non-compliance.76.85.197.45 (talk) 17:18, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

Agreed! I'd rather chew 20 bayer aspirin than ever have to take this medication again! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.69.55.141 (talk) 06:02, 13 January 2010 (UTC)

nasty tasting Flagyl someone need to make it a 1 time dose!!!!!!!!!!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.2.153.90 (talk) 00:49, 23 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I fourth that notion; it's due to the fact that metronidazole contains nitrogen. Nitrogen/ammonium based antibiotics (or compounds in general) have a very bitter taste. thomasc93 (talk) 18:50, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Agreed! needs to be Coated. thought about doubling up to get it over with, each dose nearly made me vomit from taste alone. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.179.140.109 (talk) 12:30, 28 August 2011 (UTC)

Can you mix this drug with illegal drugs?
Can you take this drug with chemical street drugs like MDMA? MDA? methamphetamine? Cocaine? LSD? etc.

Will the drug react badly to organic street drugs like Mushrooms, Marijuana?

I really wish they had that on the warning labels for the adverse reactions with other common drugs people use recreationaly. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Eugnie (talk • contribs) 14:40, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

they need to sell Flagyl chewable and with out a prescription! thx! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.2.153.90 (talk) 00:45, 23 April 2010 (UTC)

Mode of Action
Why is there no section on mechanism of action? is it unknown? there should be a section anyways, like on all other drugs here on wiki.MERRF (talk) 21:34, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

This is also good to know!
Found this on another website..

Removed copyrighted material. Invertzoo (talk) 02:34, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * NOTE that when it is in the gel form for acne treatment, it's brand name is MetroGel. I'm not familiar with a topical form of Flagyl for cellulitis treatment or something. 72.28.178.20 (talk) 18:55, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

No Mention of Veterinary Use?
This medication is often prescribed by vets to treat for various types of worms, yet this article makes no mention of this. Is there a reason? IndigoAK200 (talk) 16:15, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
 * If it is not clearly in the discussions here why it is excluded, then I would say, can you help us to add it? --Dirk Beetstra T  C 16:17, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
 * I have to admit that veterinary medicine is not my expertise and I usually try to stick to editing articles about topics I'm familiar with. That vets use this medication to treat worms is essentially the breadth of my knowledge on the subject. IndigoAK200 (talk) 16:21, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Veterinary Use section added. Kerani (talk) 00:29, 5 March 2011 (UTC)

Metronidazole Anaerobex
Metronidazole is also manufactured as film-coated tablet (500 mg metronidazole/tablet, other contents: lactose monohydrate) under the brand name Anaerobex for per os. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.127.79.239 (talk) 13:39, 11 March 2011 (UTC)

AdamSEOWorks (talk) 11:08, 28 October 2015 (UTC)

Pregnancy + breast feeding
I removed the line in the header paragraph regarding early pregnancy or breast-feeding being an absolute contraindication because we don't consider this a contraindication in UK and do commonly use standard-dose regimes. I feel that this statement will unnecessarily frighten/confuse patients. I know it's considered an absolute contraindication in the US though. Happy to debate it if anyone has any compelling evidence either way. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.149.217.217 (talk) 11:52, 31 December 2016 (UTC)

Interesting news regarding cancer, bacteria, and metronidazole.
"Why Is This Bacterium Hiding in Human Tumors?" https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/23/health/bacteria-colon-cancer.html?mabReward=ART_CB1&recid=0wp9XL0Nvk8gRI5lMuR5pvAfGhU&recp=2 Thank you, Wordreader (talk) 02:00, 25 November 2017 (UTC)