FLAGYL 400mg Tablet

WHAT IS METRONIDAZOLE?

Metronidazole also sold under the brand name Flagyl and Metrogyle is a potent antibiotic that is used especially for treating bacterial infections of vagina, stomach, skin, joints and respiratory tract. It is part of a family of antibiotics called nitroimidazoles and treats infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and protozoa. It doesn’t treat viral infections and hence should not be used for common cold, flu etc as well as vaginal yeast infection.

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT METRONIDAZOLE:

Metronidazole is an antibiotic and hence the complete dosage should be taken as prescribed by your Doctor. Do not at any cost; stop taking the medicine midway or skipping doses in between even if the symptoms of your infection have subsided. Stopping the medication midway or skipping doses can prove dangerous as there can be a relapse of your infection which can be fatally drug resistant to a line of antibiotic medicines. Avoid alcohol consumption strictly if you are on a metronidazole course and continue to avoid it for three days after you complete the full dosage as prescribed. Going on a metronidazole course may show some unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, heat or rashes under your skin, tingling, nausea and vomiting. Detailed side effects are discussed further in this description.

You may also need to take regular blood and liver function tests while you are on metronidazole treatment to be sure that it is not causing any harmful effects which may need regular doctor visits. Store metronizadole in a cool and dry place away from heat and moisture.

BEFORE COMMENCING METRONIDAZOLE COURSE:

Metronidazole should not be taken if you are allergic to it or if you are in the first trimester of your pregnancy. Don’t forget to notify your doctor about your pregnancy or if you are planning a child during the treatment. Before starting a metronidazole course, do mention about your allergies to any drugs or these conditions to your doctor or physician: liver disease, a stomach or intestinal condition such as Crohn’s disease, a blood disorder like anemia (deficiency of red blood cells) or leucopenia (deficiency of white blood cells), epilepsy or other seizure condition; or nerve disorders.

If you exhibit any of the above conditions, you may need the precise amount of dosage or have to undergo some special tests to find if you can safely take this medicine on top of those conditions. metronidazole can easily pass into breast milk and may harm your baby if you are breast feeding. Tell your doctor about this without fail and don’t consume this medicine without his or her advice.

WAYS TO TAKE METRONIDAZOLE:

You should take metronidazole dose exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t alter the amounts in any way or take it even after the prescription period. For detailed information, follow the directions on your prescription label. Consume the extended release metronidazole tablet (Flagyl ER) on an empty stomach, minimum 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal. Avoid crushing, chewing or breaking an ER tablet. Ingest it whole as breaking the tablet may result in a more than required amount of drug to be released at one go. Stopping the medication before the complete course is over or skipping any doses if your symptoms seem to go away can be lethal and lead to a drug resistant form of your infection which can be very hard to treat.

I MISSED A DOSE. WHAT NEXT?

Don’t miss any antibiotic dose as much as possible but if you do happen to miss a dose due to unforeseen reasons, take it as soon as you remember. It is fine to skip the missed does if it is time already for the next dose. Don’t consume extra medications to make up for the missed dose as there needs to be an appropriate amount of metronidazole in your body at a given time.

WHAT TO DO IF I OVERDOSE?

Overdose of any medication can be very dangerous and damaging to your body and its vital parts. In case of overdose, get emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line. Symptoms of overdose may be nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of body equilibrium like improper balance and co-ordination, lost of senses, tingling, or spasms (seizures).

AVOID THESE THINGS WHILE TAKING METRONIDAZOLE:

Don’t consume alcohol in any forms while taking metronidazole and three days following the completion of its scheduled course. Avoid any food items which have alcohol in them (read labels carefully). Antibiotic medication can lead to diarrhea; a sign of another infection. If you witness bloody or watery diarrhea, immediately stop taking metronidazole and consult your doctor. Take diarrhea medicine only if your doctor tells you to do so.

SIDE EFFECTS OF FLAGYL 400MG:

RARE

Hives
Breathing
Difficulty
Swelling On Face
Lips, Or Tongue

SERIOUS

Hands Or Feet Showing Signs Of Numbness And Tingling
White Area Or Sores In Your Mouth Or On Your Lips
Pain Or Burning While Urinating
Watery And Bloody Diarrhea
Pain Or Burning Sensation In Your Eyes
Strained Speech
Convulsions
Mood Changes
Tremors
Muscle Twitching
Fever
Chills
Confusion
Headache
Stiff Neck
Throat Soreness
Elevated Light Sensitivity
Lethargy
Nausea And Vomiting
Harsh Skin Conditions Like Red Or Purple Colored Rash That Can Advance To Face Or Upper Body     And Cause Boils And Peeling

COMMON

Stomach Pain
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Loss Of Balance
Vaginal Itching And Discharge
Dryness In Mouth Or Unsavory And Hard Metallic Taste
Cough
Sneezing
Runny Or Stuffy Nose
Soreness And Swelling In Tongue

METRONIDAZOLE DOSING INFORMATION:

Metronidazole dosage depends on the conditions you are suffering from and its amount will be decided by your doctor. Take the amount exactly as prescribed, don’t undershoot or overshoot the prescribed amount.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS:

Metronidazole may interfere with other medications or vice versa and you must notify your doctor if you are taking any medicines (prescribed, OTC vitamin pills or herbal products)already. Especially cimetidine (Tagamet), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others), or disulfiram (Antabuse). Again, this list is non exhaustive and many other drugs may interfere with metronidazole. Never take a new medicine without consulting a doctor.

PRODUCT INTRODUCTION

USES OF FLAGYL TABLET

• Treatment of Bacterial infections
• Treatment of Parasitic infections

BENEFITS OF FLAGYL TABLET

In Treatment of Bacterial infections

Flagyl 400 Tablet is a versatile antibiotic medicine that can be used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. These include infections of the blood, brain, lungs, bones, joints, urinary tract, stomach, and intestines. It can also be used to treat gum ulcers and other dental infections (abscesses), leg ulcers, and pressure sores. It works by stopping the growth of the bacteria causing the infection.

This medicine usually makes you feel better quite quickly. However, you should continue taking it as long as it is prescribed even when you feel better, to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not become resistant. This medicine is generally safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding, but you should ask your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS OF FLAGYL TABLET

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Flagyl

• Headache
• Dryness in mouth
• Nausea
• Metallic taste

HOW TO USE FLAGYL TABLET

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Flagyl 400 Tablet is to be taken with food.

HOW FLAGYL TABLET WORKS

Flagyl 400 Tablet is an antibiotic. It kills the bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infections by damaging their DNA.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

UNSAFE

Consuming alcohol while taking Flagyl 400 Tablet may cause symptoms such as flushing, increased heart beat, nausea, thirst, chest pain and low blood pressure (Disulfiram reaction).

Pregnancy

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Flagyl 400 Tablet is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

Breast feeding

CAUTION

Flagyl 400 Tablet should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be held until the treatment of the mother is completed and the drug is eliminated from her body.
If a single dose of Flagyl 400 Tablet is used, it is recommended to hold breastfeeding for 12-24 hours to allow the removal of the drug.

Driving

UNSAFE

Flagyl 400 Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Flagyl 400 Tablet may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, confused. You may have hallucinations, fits (convulsions) or temporary eyesight problems (such as blurred or double vision) affecting your ability to drive.

Kidney

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Flagyl 400 Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Flagyl 400 Tablet is recommended.
Patients undergoing kidney dialysis should take this medicine after the dialysis treatment.

Liver

CAUTION

Flagyl 400 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Flagyl 400 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE FLAGYL TABLET?

If you miss a dose of Flagyl 400 Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.