Metronidazole Tablets

Metronidazole is a type of antibiotic that can be used to treat or prevent a number of different conditions caused by bacteria. It comes in a number of different forms, including creams, gels, suppositories, and tablets you swallow.

Some of the main uses of metronidazole tablets include treatment for:

• bacterial vaginosis
• trichomoniasis
• rosacea
• skin infections
• infections in the mouth, including dental abscesses
• preventing infections, for example, if you are having surgery
• stomach ulcers, as part of a regime with other medications
• some complications of Crohn’s disease

At ZAVA, we offer metronidazole to treat bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition that is caused by an imbalance in the different types of naturally occurring bacteria found in your vagina. We also offer metronidazole for treating trichomoniasis.

Metronidazole is also available as creams and gels for treating skin conditions like rosacea. Suppositories may also be given to you after surgery to prevent infections. You can also order metronidazole gel for treating rosacea with ZAVA.

Metronidazole is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including ones that cause bacterial vaginosis (often it is caused by a bacteria called ‘Gardnerella vaginalis’). It does this by killing the bacteria causing the infection and preventing it from growing and spreading.

Bacterial vaginosis happens when there is an imbalance in the bacteria that are naturally present in your vagina. BV is very common and it is reported that up to 29% of women worldwide experience it. BV isn’t an STI, but it can cause discomfort and unusual vaginal discharge. A course of metronidazole 400mg tablets can help eliminate the bacterial imbalance causing BV.

How long does metronidazole take to work on bacterial vaginosis?

Your bacterial vaginosis symptoms should get better by the end of the 7-day course of metronidazole, or within 1 week of taking the single-dose treatment. If you still have symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge after this time, it’s best to speak to a doctor to make sure you don’t have another type of infection.

It is vital to take your full course of metronidazole antibiotic tablets, even if the symptoms appear to have cleared up. If you don't take the full course, there is a chance that the infection will come back.

Sometimes bacterial vaginosis may come back after a few months. If this happens, your doctor may recommend metronidazole for longer than 7 days. They will talk to you about any potential triggers that may be causing the infection to come back.

You should take metronidazole tablets with or after food and swallow the tablet(s) whole with a full glass of water.

You should not crush or chew a metronidazole tablet before you take it.

Metronidazole can be taken either as a:

• 7-day course of tablets – you will take 1 metronidazole 400mg tablet twice a day for 7 days. Space the tablets evenly throughout the day. For example, you could take one after breakfast at 8am, and one in the evening at 8pm.
• single dose treatment – you will take 5 tablets of metronidazole at once as a single dose.

Both courses of treatment are effective for treating bacterial vaginosis. The single-dose treatment may cause more side effects as it is a high dose taken all at once.

What if you forget to take your metronidazole tablets?

If you are on the 7-day course where you take two metronidazole tablets at 400mg per day, you should take your missed dose as soon as you remember – unless it’s almost time for your second dose. If so, simply take your next dose as normal, and skip the missed dose. You must never ‘double dose’ (taking two doses at a time to make up for a missed dose) – this is more likely to cause side effects.

If you’re struggling to remember to take your tablets on time, you might want to set an alarm on your phone or a reminder on your calendar app.

Metronidazole creams and metronidazole 400mg tablets are used for a range of conditions. Here are some examples of metronidazole’s effectiveness against different conditions:

Effectiveness of metronidazole tablets for Bacterial Vaginosis

Metronidazole is highly effective in clearing up bacterial vaginosis and works in up to 90% of cases. Metronidazole is the first-line treatment for bacterial vaginosis because it is so effective, and usually clears up the infection within a week.

Effectiveness of metronidazole tablets for Trichomoniasis

Metronidazole is often very effective at clearing up Trichomoniasis. According to studies, the antibiotic can cure between 85% and 95% of cases.

You can request a prescription for metronidazole online from ZAVA. To get started, fill out our simple online questionnaire. Our doctors will review this to make sure metronidazole is the right treatment for you. We will then post the medication to your preferred address or you can collect them from your local post office.

You can also buy metronidazole tablets from high street pharmacies, as long as you have a prescription from your doctor.

Is metronidazole available over the counter?

No, metronidazole is not available to buy over the counter. It is a prescription-only medication, and a doctor needs to check if it’s suitable for you before they prescribe it.

Like with any medication, there are some metronidazole tablet side effects that you should be aware of. Many people don’t get any side effects. Among those who do, the side effects are usually mild.

If you’re unsure about side effects, check the leaflet in the packaging. You can also ask your doctor or a pharmacist about side effects.

Common side effects of metronidazole tablets

There are very few common side effects of metronidazole. You may feel sick after you take your first dose, but this should clear up within a few hours. Make sure you take metronidazole after food as this will reduce the chance of feeling sick.

Uncommon and rare side effects of metronidazole tablets

Uncommon and rare side effects of metronidazole include:

• feeling sleepy or dizzy
• headache
• visual problems, such as blurred vision
• darkening of your urine
• muscle pain (myalgia)

Hazardous side effects of metronidazole tablets

Stop taking the tablets and contact 999 immediately if you experience:

• swelling of your hands, feet, lips or throat
• difficulty breathing
• rashes with blisters or bleeding around your eyes, nose, mouth, lips or genitals (Steven-Johnson Syndrome)
• stiff neck, headache, feeling confused or developing a fever (encephalopathy)

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking metronidazole and for the 2 days after you have finished your course of treatment. Alcohol can react with metronidazole, causing some severe side effects such as feeling sick, vomiting, palpitations, flushes, and headaches.

You can take metronidazole if this has been prescribed for you by a doctor. Some people are not able to use metronidazole because of allergies or other health conditions. Your doctor will assess your suitability before prescribing it.

When should you not take metronidazole tablets?

You should not take metronidazole if you have:

• an allergy to metronidazole
• a liver problem
• a need for dialysis for your kidneys
• a disease that affects your nerves
• chronic alcoholism and will not be able to stop drinking alcohol while using it

Speak to your doctor if you’re affected by any of these conditions. They may prescribe an alternative antibiotic to treat your infection.

Metronidazole interactions

You should speak to your doctor if you’re taking any other medications as they could interact with metronidazole tablets. This could make one or both medications less effective, or have other unwanted effects. Medications that may interact with metronidazole include:

• blood-thinning medications called anticoagulants, such as warfarin or rivaroxaban
• lithium
• epilepsy treatment, such as phenytoin or phenobarbital
• cancer treatment, such as 5-fluorouracil or busulfan
• ciclosporin to prevent organ rejection after a transplant
• disulfiram to treat alcohol dependence

These medications may interact with metronidazole and stop it from working properly.

If metronidazole tablets aren’t suitable for you, there are alternative ways to treat bacterial vaginosis. If you prefer a treatment that will work directly where the infection is, you can choose an antibiotic cream or vaginal gel. Alternative treatments to metronidazole tablets include:

• Zidoval gel – A branded metronidazole vaginal gel that is inserted into your vagina with an applicator.
• Dalacin cream – A branded clindamycin cream and a different antibiotic to metronidazole that works in the same way. This is also inserted directly into your vagina with an applicator.

You can also help relieve your symptoms by:

• having showers (instead of baths)
• using only water and unperfumed soap to wash around your vaginal area
• avoiding vaginal washes, douches or deodorants, as these can irritate the area
• using a gentle detergent for sensitive skin to wash your underwear

Stopping smoking can also reduce the risk of recurring bacterial vaginosis. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor to help you quit smoking.