How and When to use Metronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogel) - Doctor Explains

Welcome back to How To Medicate and welcome to this video on how and when to use Metronidazole. I already made several videos on different antibiotics and if you are interested you can find those in the playlist here:

Generic name: Metronidazole.
Brand names: Flagyl and Metrogel.
Available as: an ovule, oral suspension, tablet or injection

How to use it?
Tablets: Swallow the tablet whole with half a glass of water. Don’t break it and don’t chew on it.
Oral suspension: shake the bottle before use and measure the correct amount with the supplied measuring spoon/cup.
Ovule: needs to be inserted deep into the vagina.

Duration of treatment?
Usually 1-10 days.
It is important that you do not interrupt the treatment and finish it completely.

When to use it?
Metronidazole is used for ”serious” infections caused by micro-organisms sensitive to Metronidazole.

What is the correct dosage?
Always use the dosage and frequency prescribed by your own doctor.

What are the side-effects?
Common: (1-10%): Increased sensitivity for additional infections.
Uncommon (0.1-1%): general body weakness.
Rare (0.01-0.1%): severe allergic reaction and convulsions.

Safety:
You should not drive while using Metronidazole and you should not combine it with alcohol.
Furthermore, the usage of Metronidazole can have interactions with some other drugs and it can be dangerous for people with liver and neurological problems. Therefore always ask your prescribing physician if metronidazole is safe for you.

Pregnancy and Lactation:
The usage of metronidazole while pregnant or while breastfeeding is usually considered to be safe, but you should always ask your doctor if Metronidazole is safe for you and your baby.

- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -

Literature:
1: Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas. (2020). Metronidazol.
3. Durbin K. (2018). Metronidazole.

* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only.

Music:
1. Atch, This Feeling, Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music.
2. Erik Lund, Summertime, Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music.

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[Jake-vek]

I've just started taking Flagyl, first pill about two hours ago, I feel dizzy little bit uneasy in my stomach, this is all a result of about a week of feeling unwell, I've received my stool tests confirming a stomach parasite. I have my suspicions it could have been from a bad sandwich I bought at a local store. Two weeks into my new apprentice job and I had to take brief time off and now I've lost my job as a result. Hopefully I experience no bad side effects and I can be back to good health soon. I wish everyone else who has stumbled here ; the best health you can have 👍 it seems like it's prescribed to many people over varying degrees of reasons - but we can always hope for better :)

[aec]

Currently taking this med. Side effects: headache and feeling sick. Just eat and try to get through it.

[gemmaparnell]

I had to finish my course early after burning metallic feelings all over my skin, complete loss of speech, hallucinations and more 😳 thank god there is a Facebook group to support people suffering metronidazole toxicity problems

[times_better]

Here's my experience taking Flagyl. I'm 30 years old and had unexplained weightloss. I started taking Flagyl to get rid of parasites. I had all the bad symptoms of having parasites. Since I'm underweight I only took 250mg of Flagyl once per day. I took one pill after lunch everyday for 10 days and I had no negative symptoms. The only bad thing was a headache here and there. I feel much better now and no more constipation or tenderness in my abdominals. Hope this helps someone. Don't be scared to take it and a trick I used was to eat a banana right after I took the pill and eat a sugar free mint to mask the taste. Other than that it worked for me 🙏

[diegogonzalez]

Currently on day 8 out of 10 of flagyl 500 mg three times a day. I’ve been having bad headaches, I feel drowsy and tired, anxiety, disgusting taste in my mouth, and forgetfulness. Cannot wait until this is over.

[mikaylawinchell]

I have been prescribed this often and every time I get diarrhea and increases anxiety! It’s so interesting how everyone has different experiences with medications

[AnnLippert]

A veterinarian i went to yesterday prescribed this for my CAT who has had bad diarrhea for 7 days. i hope it works

[Unek]

I’ve taken 6 different antibiotics within a 2 month time period & metronidazole was one of them. I’m currently suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, feeling anxious throughout the day, the jitters, feeling woozy, lightheaded & just ill majority of the time. At one point, I was having trouble breathing. I didn’t really think “it could be the antibiotics” until recently. I’ve been doing my research on antibiotics…and ran across the HORRIBLE side effects of this drug in particular. I thought I was going “crazy.” Nope, antibiotics cause do this to you! So scary. I wish I knew then what I know now. Always do your research before taking any kind of medication.

[marissamccarthy]

I put off taking the medicine for until a month after the bottle expired and then I was like all right I got to take the medicine I got to do it but I was just scared about the side effects of review's but I took it I really love you a lot I think it calmed me and my brain my mind is more focused I feel better my stomach feels more calmer so it really helped for me I took it for a 7 days

[mzladydub]

This pill had me sweating like I stole something and on the toilet.

[juniorrashidkamara]

No questions for me at all thank you I have learn something new again

[sachaflovers]

Thank you so much for this information..it was quite informative

[haneng]

I've done taking Metronidazole for 7 days. it really makes me unweak and exhausted thought its normal. Thanks for this video now I realized it's all side effects.

[musico]

I’m taking these and they made me feel so tired 😴

[richjustin]

Man I got prescribed this medication, for H. Pylori stomach infection. Clarithomycin 1000mg/daily. 1000mg metronidazole/daily and Amoxicillin 2000mg/daily. I’m only halfway through my treatment (one more week to go) but safe to say I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. It’s really unpleasant, somehow I still find the energy to work and drive Monday thru Friday

[XiomiletteTorresCuevas]

It worked for me... No headache, did not affect my nerve system, did not make me feel sick but it does make you go to the bathroom a lot but it didn't hurt. I felt GREAT after this treatment.. my down 👇 there smells BRAND new and number 1 doesn't smell strong! I feel amazing...for some reason it did make me really hungry and really active. I am 25

[kattt]

I was so scared to take this medicine because the side effects are REALLY BAD. I literally didn’t take it until after the week I was prescribed. The taste is awful so what I did was hold my head back with milk In my mouth and quickly swallow it! My head does hurt while taking this but it’s not that bad! Hopefully I recover from my infection!

[Ineffable]

Guys I was prescribed this drug. It made me ill and feel like I was dying. I stopped taking it and listened to what my body and mind told me and healed myself. Be careful following guys like him telling you not to stop taking drugs. Think twice.

[janicemillican]

As always, great video with great content.
Stay safe.

[nellab]

Why do dentist / drs insist on this drug when augmentin works too. I Was intent to take this drug as have molar extraction next week, but 48 hrs in, and yet again same as previous times the side effects esp immense stomach pain isn’t worth the grief. Glad to tune in and note I’m not the only one having problems with this drug. Thank you.