Understanding Metronidazole and its side effects

Metonidazole is a medication used for healing protozoan or anaerobic bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, anaerobic bacteria, intestinal amoeba infections, giardiasis, pelvic inflammatory disease etc. The medication is available in the form of pills, vaginal gel, facial gel and cream and as rectal suppositories. Despite these positive points, it’s hard to overlook Metronidazole side effects.

Metronidazole is carcinogenic in case of rats and mice. The medication has a repulsive metallic taste difficult for some people to withstand, but it can be lessened it’s taken with juice. Metronidazole side effects on gastrointestinal system comprise:

·         Vomiting;

·         Nausea;

·         diarrhea and dyspepsia;

·         Rash and itching;

·         Giddiness;

·         yeast infections;

·         furry tongue;

·         headache and pain in the joints;

·         swelling in the face or tongue;

·         blistering or peeling of the skin;

·         seizures;

·         low count of the white blood cells;

·         aseptic meningitis (a non-infectious inflammation of the lining of the central nervous system);

·         allergic reactions like toxic epidermal necrolyises and Steven’s Johnson Syndrome;

This medication is not recommended for alcoholics since there may be side effects like sweating, hypertension, flushing and at times your life can also be in grave danger.

The patients are advised not to consume the medicine with live BCG vaccine, disulifarm (Antabuse), and few of the HIV drugs such as tipranavir, ritonavir and lopinavir and busulfan. When prescribed this medicine by the doctor, one should make sure to inform him of any other medicine you might be taking currently. Metronidazole should also be shunned away from ethanol, diazoxide, warfarin.