Zidoval

Metronidazole gel is an antibacterial gel used to treat bacterial vaginosis (or BV), a mild bacterial infection of the vagina that affects many women. Not all women will seek treatment for BV, as it can sometimes clear on its own, but other women prefer to do so or will be prescribed antibiotic treatment for it.

Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection that is typically harmless but can be unpleasant. It usually occurs in women who are sexually active but can occur to any woman at any point in their lives. The most common symptom of BV is greyish-white or yellow discharge and a ‘fishy’ odour from the vagina. However, 50% of all women will not notice any symptoms at all.

You should only use metronidazole gel once you have been diagnosed having Bacterial Vaginosis. Metronidazole gel is safe to use by people who are hypersensitive or allergic to penicillin.

You should not take metronidazole gel if you are allergic to any of its listed ingredients. Make sure to inform your prescribing nurse, doctor or pharmacist if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of medicine or medicinal gel before. If you are ever in any doubt as to whether you should use this medicine, seek the advice of a medical professional beforehand.

Always consult your midwife, nurse or doctor before taking metronidazole gel if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning on having a baby. Avoid taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding unless it is considered absolutely necessary by a medical professional.

It is best to avoid drinking alcohol for the course of treatment and for at least 48 hours after the course finishes.

If you begin to feel the following symptoms as a result of taking metronidazole, do not drive, operate machinery or use heavy tools, and seek immediate medical attention:

• Feeling dizzy, sleepy or confused
• Seeing or hearing things that do not exist (hallucination)
• Having convulsions or a fit
• Having blurred or double vision

Always tell whoever is prescribing you this medicine whether you are currently taking or have recently finished taking any other forms of medication, even if it is herbal. Metronidazole can sometimes affect the way other medications work, and vice versa.

In particular, if you are taking any of the following medicines, make sure to consult your doctor before taking metronidazole: lithium, anti-coagulants (like warfarin), epilepsy medications (like phenytoin, primidone or phenobarbitone), busulfan, disulfiram, 5 fluorouracil or ciclosporin.

Some women may develop thrush (a type of yeast infection) as a result of using this antibacterial gel. If you display the symptoms of thrush, speak to your nurse, doctor or pharmacist for advice.

As with all medicines, some but not all people will experience side effects as a result of taking Metronidazole Gel. Some people may also experience an allergic reaction as a result of using this medicine.

In very rare cases, the use of metronidazole has been linked to brain disease (encephalopathy). The symptoms of a brain disease vary but if you experience the following symptoms, you should stop using metronidazole gel and seek emergency medical care:

• Confusion and hallucination (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
• Problems with speech
• Problems using your limbs
• Stiff neck or headache
• Fever

Always keep your prescribing nurse, doctor or pharmacist aware of any side effects you might be having, even if they are not listed here, and seek medical attention if you react badly in any way to metronidazole gel.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Swelling of the hands, lips, face, throat, feet or ankles
• Lumpy or itchy rash (hives)
• Nettle rash (urticaria)

If you have the signs of an allergic reaction, listed above, stop using the gel straight away and seek immediate medical attention from a doctor or the Accident and Emergency Department of your local hospital.