Prescription Drug Metronidazole (Flagyl) to Treat Infections
Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole infection fighting medication which is prescribed to treat illnesses caused by organisms especially anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. It is known as the benchmark anti-anaerobic mechanism.
It is sold under the trade name Flagyl; Pfizer is responsible for its production in the U.S., whereas Sanofi-Aventis markets it for global consumption. Less expensively, it is also made by several generic drug companies.
Usage
Metronidazole (Flagyl) prescription drugs uses include treatment for the following infections:
– Gynecologic infections (endometritis, endomyometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and postsurgical vaginal cuff infection)
– Skin and skin structure infections
– Giardiasis
– Bacterial vaginosis
– Intra-abdominal infections, including peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess, and liver abscess
– Bacterial septicemia
– Central nervous system infections (meningitis and brain abscess)
– Lower respiratory tract infections (in combination with another agent with activity against microaerophilic Streptococcus)
– Adjunct treatment for gastritis and duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori
– Amebiasis
– Trichomoniasis
– Endocarditis
Method of Action
Metronidazole medication works by entering an aerobic bacterium where the bacterium are reduced because of the electron transport protein ferrodoxin. The drug then fastens to the DNA, causing it to split. According to in vitro data, metronidazole supports antioxidant activity and has the capability to avert and lessen rosacea symptoms.
Advantages
Metronidazole’s advantages include:
– Kills bacteria quickly
– Gram-negative anaerobes that are sensitive in a large percent
– Penetrates tissues well
– Dosage forms in oral and IV
– Cost
Disadvantages
– When metronidazole is taken with alcohol it can cause a reaction similar to disulfiram with such side effects as nausea, vomiting, skin flush, accelerated hear rate, shortness of breath, and possibly death. Avoid alcohol intake while undergoing a plan of metronidazole treatment and for at least one day after the end of treatment.
– Metonidazole hydroxy metabolite can cause cancer. In addition, it has been determined that metronidazole is a carcinogenic for animals. Do not take the drug needlessly.
– Severe toxicity can give rise to symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract. Persistent toxicity may result in neurological injury. The danger exists for convulsive seizures as well as peripheral neuropathy.