Metronidazole 400mg

Metronidazole belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria and parasites that cause infections in your body.

Do not take Metronidazole if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to metronidazole, nitroimidazoles (e.g. tinidazole) or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Metronidazole tablets should not be taken during pregnancy unless considered absolutely necessary. It is better not to take this medicine if you are breastfeeding because small amounts of it may pass into the mother's milk.

You must tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take other medicines, in particular:

• medicines to stop your blood clotting (e.g. coumarins, warfarin)
• medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone)
• lithium (used to treat depression)
• medicines used to treat cancer (e.g. busulfan, fluorouracil or mycophenolate)
• disulfiram (used to treat alcohol addiction)
• medicines used to treat stomach ulcers (e.g. cimetidine)
• oestrogen contraceptives (known as 'the pill')
• ciclosporin (used to prevent the rejection of organs after transplant)

Do not drink any alcohol while you are taking Metronidazole tablets and for 48 hours after finishing your course. Drinking alcohol while using Metronidazole tablets might cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), stomach pain, hot flushes, very fast or uneven heartbeat (palpitations) and headache.

• skin rash or flushing
• headache
• darkening of the urine
• feeling sleepy or dizzy
• pains in the muscles or joints

BV sometimes goes without treatment, as the balance of bacteria in the vagina may correct itself. Metronidazole is available in tablet form and as a gel.