What is Flagyl?

Flagyl is an oral tablet made up of an antibiotic drug called metronidazole. This medication is available as a generic alternative sold as metronidazole in 250mg!

What is Flagyl used for?

This medication is prescribed to those who have certain bacterial infections or parasitic infections. Since this medication fights bacteria, it will not work for viral infections. Viral infections are caused by viruses and include conditions like the chickenpox or common cold where as bacterial infections are caused by bacteria and include infections in the vagina (not including yeast infections), liver, skin, joints and brain.

How does Flagyl work?

Metronidazole works by killing the bacteria in the body to allow the infection to heal (faster).

Take this medication exactly the way you have been told to by your doctor.

Take Flagyl by mouth with food (to avoid an upset stomach) or water/milk.

Your dose will be determined by your doctor based off your medical condition and response to treatment.

Take Flagyl every day to achieve the best effectiveness; take Flagyl at the same day every day to ensure a routine is set and doses are less likely to be missed.

Discuss with your doctor all medical conditions, medications and drug allergies you have. This is important as it will determine if this medication is safe and effective for you to use.

Do not drink alcohol or consume propylene glycol (found in some foods and medicines) while taking Flagyl or its generic alternative; wait at least 3 days before taking Flagyl after consuming propylene glycol. Nausea, vomiting, a tingly feeling, warmth or redness under the skin or a fast heartbeat may be the result if you mix propylene glycol and metronidazole.

Do not try to use this medication to fight a viral infection. It will only help treat a bacterial infection. If you are unsure which you have, speak with your doctor to clarify your condition and find out if Flagyl will work for you.

In animal studies, it has been established that metronidazole can cause certain types of cancers or tumors in fetuses if the mother takes metronidazole while pregnant. There are no reports to show that this will be the result on a human however you should speak to your doctor before taking Flagyl if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Common side effects of Flagyl/metronidazole may include:

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain; diarrhea, constipation; unpleasant metallic taste; rash, itching; vaginal itching or discharge; mouth sores; or swollen, red, or "hairy" tongue.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Flagyl/ metronidazole may include:

diarrhea; painful or difficult urination; trouble sleeping, depression, irritability; headache, dizziness, weakness; a light-headed feeling (like you might pass out); or blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing.

If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Signs to watch for:

Liver failure - nausea, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

What are the important medical conditions I should tell my doctor about?

It is important to tell your doctor about what medical conditions you have to determine if Flagyl is right for you, especially if you have liver or kidney disease, a rare genetic disorder called Cockayne syndrome, a stomach or intestinal disorder like Crohns disease, a blood cell disorder such as anemia, fungal infections (any location of the body), or if you have a nerve disorder.

What are the drug interactions involved with Flagyl?

Busulfan, lithium, and any blood thinner medication should be avoided while using Flagyl as the drugs in your blood may be affected by the combination, causing side effects or less effectiveness in treatment.

What else can this medication be used for?

Some doctors may prescribe Flagyl along with another medications in order to treat certain stomach/intestinal ulcers caused by a bacteria called H.pylori.

What is the average dose for a woman with a vaginal infection such as trichomoniasis (STI)?

A woman with trichomoniasis can either do a one-day treatment or a seven-day treatment…

one-day: 2g (2000mg/eight 250mg tablets) in a single or divided dose a day for 1 day

seven-day: 250mg three times a day for 7 days

How long until this medication becomes effective?

For most infections, it should only take a couple of days before signs of improvement show, however, for some infections (like rosacea, an acne-like condition) it may take several weeks before you notice improvement.