Manufacturer: Abbott Healthcare
Pharmaceutical name: Metronidazole
Pack: 15 pills (400 mg)
Flagyl is an antibiotic that is effective against anaerobic bacteria and some parasites. Anaerobic bacteria are single-celled organisms that thrive in environments with minimal oxygen (anaerobic settings) and can lead to illnesses in the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis), liver (liver abscess), and pelvis (abscesses of the ovaries and Fallopian tubes). Intestinal parasites such as Giardia lamblia and ameba can cause abdominal discomfort and diarrhea in those infected. Trichomonas is a vaginal parasite that leads to inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis). Flagyl specifically targets certain functions within the bacterial cells and the parasites, resulting in their destruction.
Flagyl is prescribed for treating parasitic infections, such as Giardia infections of the small intestine, amebic liver abscess, amebic dysentery (an infection of the colon that causes bloody diarrhea), bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginal infections, and asymptomatic carriers of trichomonas (both sexual partners). Metronidazole is also used alone or alongside other antibiotics to treat abscesses in the liver, pelvis, abdomen, and brain caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria.
Flagyl (Metronidazole) is also utilized in treating colon infections caused by the bacterium C. difficile. (Commonly-used antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the colon, allowing C. difficile, an anaerobic bacterium, to infect it when normal bacteria are reduced. This may lead to inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis), resulting in severe diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.) Metronidazole is additionally used in conjunction with other medications to address Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which can cause stomach or intestinal ulcers. Topical metronidazole gel is applied for acne rosacea, while the vaginal gel treats bacterial vaginosis.
Flagyl can be taken by mouth with or without food. In a hospital setting, metronidazole may be administered intravenously for serious infections. The liver plays a key role in eliminating metronidazole from the body, and dosage adjustments may be necessary for patients with liver disease or abnormal liver function.
Side effects of Flagyl may include stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of balance, vaginal itching or discharge, dry mouth, or an unpleasant metallic taste, as well as cough, sneezing, runny or congested nose, or a swollen or sore tongue.