Metronidazole – Vaginal, Metrogel

Medication Uses How To Use Side Effects Precautions Drug Interactions Overdose Notes Missed Dose Storage USES: This medication is used to treat certain types of bacterial infections in the vagina. It may help to decrease itching, discharge, and other symptoms. Metronidazole is an antibiotic that works by stopping the growth of bacteria. HOW TO USE: This medication is for vaginal use only. Learn the correct way to apply this medication by reading the instructions on the product package. Use as directed, usually once or twice daily. If using once daily, use the medication at bedtime. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions on the correct way to use this medication.Fill the applicator provided with the medication. Insert the applicator high into the vagina and press the plunger to release the medication. Clean the applicator with warm soapy water and rinse well.Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this occurs, rinse your eyes with large amounts of cool water.Do not drink alcohol while using this medication and for at least 24 hours after stopping the medication. Drinking alcohol while using this medication may cause stomach cramps, flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headache.Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.Do not have vaginal sex or use tampons or douches while using this medication.Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, unusual taste in the mouth, stomach cramps, or vaginal itching/burning/discharge may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, painful urination.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: tingling or numbness of the hands and feet, seizures, signs of another infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), mental/mood changes (e.g., depression).Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a new vaginal yeast infection (vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using metronidazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other nitroimidazole antibiotics (e.g., tinidazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as paraben preservatives), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: seizures, liver disease, certain blood disorders (blood dyscrasias), nervous system disease.This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Oral antibiotics have been used to treat vaginal infections during pregnancy, especially high-risk pregnancies (e.g., risk of early childbirth). Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the risks and benefits.This drug passes into breast milk. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: disulfiram.The manufacturer recommends that if you have been taking disulfiram, you should wait two weeks before starting metronidazole. Check with your doctor to see if waiting two weeks is okay for you.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin).Check the labels on all your liquid medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain alcohol (see also the How to Use section). Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products.This product can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

QUESTION

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Protect from freezing. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product. Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that the use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that the use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.