Metronidazole is a commonly used antibiotic, belonging to the nitroimidazole class of antibiotics.[L3754] It is frequently used to treat gastrointestinal infections as well as trichomoniasis and giardiasis, and amebiasis which are parasitic infections.[A181036,A181039] Metronidazole has been used as an antibiotic for several decades[L7429], with added antiparasitic properties that set it apart from many other antibacterial drugs, allowing it to treat a wide variety of infections. It is available in capsule form, tablet form, and topical form, and suppository preparations for the treatment of various infections.
Synonyms
1-(β-oxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole
Metronidazole hydrochloride
Metronidazol
Metronidazolum
2-methyl-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-nitroimidazole
Métronidazole
1-(β-ethylol)-2-methyl-5-nitro-3-azapyrrole
Metronidazole
2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-1-ethanol
1-(β-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole
1-(2-hydroxy-1-ethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole
1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole
2-methyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-nitroimidazole
Brand Names
Flagyl
Bismuth Subcitrate Potassium, Metronidazole, and Tetracycline Hydrochloride
Rosasol
Vandazole
Metronidazole 1% / Mupirocin 2% /
Flagyl ER
Nuvessa
Bismuth Subcitrate Potassium, Metronidazole and Tetracycline Hydrochloride
Metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of confirmed trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (except for in the first trimester of pregnancy) and the patient's sexual partners, bacterial vaginosis,[L7432, L49811] certain types of amebiasis, and various anaerobic infections.[A181057, L49811] The above anaerobic infections may occur on the skin and skin structures, the abdomen, the heart, reproductive organs, central nervous system, and the respiratory system. Some may also be present in the bloodstream in cases of septicemia. Common infections treated by metronidazole are Bacteroides species infections, Clostridium infections, and Fusobacterium infections, as well as Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus infections.[L3754] Topical formulations of metronidazole are indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea.[L45166] It is also used off-label in the treatment of Crohn's disease, as a prophylactic agent after surgery[A181039], and in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.[A181045] It has also been studied in the prevention of preterm births and to treat periodontal disease.[A1391,A181078]
Categories
Agents that reduce seizure threshold
Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Anti-Infective Agents
Antibacterials for Systemic Use
Antiinfectives and Antiseptics for Local Oral Treatment
Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
Antiparasitic Agents
Antiparasitic Products, Insecticides and Repellents
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682