Why is this drug prescribed?

Flagyl tablets contain the active ingredient metronidazole, which is a type of drug called an antibiotic. Metronidazole is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. Metronidazole is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other micro-organisms called protozoa. Metronidazole works by entering bacterial and protozoal cells and interfering with their genetic material. It damages the DNA and also prevents the bacteria and protozoa from forming new DNA. This ultimately results in metronidazole killing the micro-organisms, which clears up the infection. Metronidazole kills a wide variety of bacteria that are known collectively as anaerobic bacteria. This means that they do not need oxygen to grow and multiply. Anaerobic bacteria can cause infections in areas of the body such as the bones, gut, pelvic cavity and gums. Metronidazole is used to treat these types of infections, as well as leg ulcers and pressure sores that are infected with anaerobic bacteria. Metronidazole is also used to prevent infection following surgery, particularly gynaecological surgery and surgery on the gut, where many anaerobic bacteria may be found. In high doses, metronidazole penetrates the brain and can be used to treat abscesses in the brain. Metronidazole is also used to treat infections with protozoa. These micro-organisms are also anaerobic and include Trichomonas vaginalis and other protozoa, such as Entamoeba histolytica and Gardia lambila. To make sure the micro-organisms causing an infection are susceptible to metronidazole your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the infected area. Flagyl tablets are taken by mouth, but metronidazole may also be given by suppository, or via a drip into a vein for more serious infections or when administration by mouth is not possible.

Treatments

* Preventing and treating infections with anaerobic bacteria following surgery, particularly surgery on the gut or gynaecological surgery * Bacterial infection of the blood * Bacterial infection of the blood following childbirth * A serious form of pneumonia * Bacterial infections of bone * Bacterial infections in the abdomen * Abscess in the pelvic cavity, usually a result of an abdominal infection * Inflammation of the connective tissue and muscle around the uterus due to bacterial infection * Brain abscesses * Bacterial dental infections, eg dental abscesses * Painful inflammation and ulcers of the gums * Bacteria infected leg ulcers * Bacteria infected pressure sores * Bacterial infection of the vagina * Protozoal infection of the urinary organs or genitals * Protozoal infection of the intestine * Parasitic gut infection caused by the protozoa Giardia lamblia

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain * Unpleasant taste * Sensation of a furry tongue * Inflamed and sore mouth * Loss of appetite * Itchy rash * Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue * Drowsiness * Dizziness * Headache * Shaky movements and unsteady walk * Skin rashes * Pain in the muscles or joints * Darkening of the urine * Visual disturbances * Confusion * Liver disorders * Disorder of the peripheral nerves called peripheral neuropathy, that causes weakness and numbness * Decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood * Seizures