Metronidazole is an Optimal Anti-Anaerobic Solution

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole anti-infective drug utilized primarily to treat infections caused by susceptible organisms, especially anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. It is held up as the optimal anti-anaerobic solution.

In the U.S., generic Metronidazole with the trade name Flagyl, while internationally Sanofi-Aventis provides it using the same trade name. It is also marketed by assorted generic makers, and thus is available at more affordable prices.

Uses:

The following conditions can be treated using Metronidazole:
– Gynecologic infections (endometritis, endomyometritis)
– Bacterial vaginosis
– Endocardit
– peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess, and liver abscess
– Lower respiratory tract infections (against microaerophilic Streptococcus)
– skin structure infections
– Bacterial septicemia
– Adjunct treatment for gastritis and duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori
– Central nervous system infections (meningitis and brain abscess)

How it works:

Metronidazole gets inside of an aerobic bacterium and, using the electron transport protein ferrodoxin, it reduces it. Then attaching to the DNA, the drug breaks it up. Shown by in vitro data to generate antioxidant activity, metronidazole may block and reduce rosacea symptoms.

Advantages

The advantages of metronidazole include:

– It kills bacteria quickly
– Penetrates tissues well
– High percentage of sensitive Gram-negative anaerobes
– Very small risk of causing C. difficile colitis
– Available in oral or intravenous forms
– Cost

Disadvantages

– Metronidazole hydroxy metabolite can potentially cause cancer. Additionally, metronidazole has caused cancer in animals. Do not use this drug unless necessary.
– Nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, tachycardia (accelerated heart rate), shortness of breath, and even death may occur when one consumes alcohol while taking metronidazole, since it causes a disulfiram-like reactions. Do not consume alcohol while going through ametronidazole treatment procedure as well as the 24 hour period, minimum, following the end of treatment.
– Gastrointestinal tract symptoms may arise due to a high level of toxicity. Neurological damage is caused by chronic toxicity. Peripheral neuropathy and convulsive seizures are other potential risks.

July 7th, 2009 - Posted in Medicines | | Comments Off

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