Metronidazole oral suspension is an antibiotic that fights off bad bacteria and some parasites. It’s used to treat infections like bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and amebiasis. The medicine stops the bacteria or parasite from working by messing with their DNA, which eventually kills them.
This makes it a good choice when other antibiotics don’t work.
Metronidazole 50 mg/mL oral suspension diffuses into bacterial cells where it interacts with DNA, causing loss of helical structure and strand breakage. This disrupts nucleic acid synthesis and leads to cell death in susceptible organisms. The drug is selectively taken up by anaerobic bacteria and protozoa due to their low redox potential, which facilitates the reduction of metronidazole into its active form.
This active form generates reactive species that bind to DNA and inhibit protein synthesis. The specificity for anaerobic organisms minimizes systemic toxicity.
For metronidazole 50 mg/mL oral suspension, the dosage and administration guidelines vary based on age group and specific conditions:
Bacterial Infections: 15 mg/kg IV once as a loading dose, followed by 7.5 mg/kg IV or orally every 6 hours. Maximum dose: 4 g/day.
Intraabdominal Infections: Same as above.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: 500 mg orally twice daily for 14 days.
Bacterial Vaginosis: 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days.
Trichomoniasis: 2 g as a single dose.
Bacterial Infections: 7.5 mg/kg/dose orally every 6 hours for 10 days.
Intraabdominal Infections: Same as above.
Amebiasis: 15 mg/kg orally 3 times daily for 5-10 days.
Giardiasis: 30 mg/kg orally once daily for 3 days.
Trichomoniasis: 7.5 mg/kg/dose orally 3 times daily for 7 days.
Bacterial Infections: 7.5 mg/kg/dose orally every 6 hours for 10 days.
Intraabdominal Infections: Same as above.
Amebiasis: 15 mg/kg orally 3 times daily for 5-10 days.
Giardiasis: 30 mg/kg orally once daily for 3 days.
Trichomoniasis: 7.5 mg/kg/dose orally 3 times daily for 7 days.
Renal Impairment: Reduce dose and/or frequency based on creatinine clearance.
Hepatic Impairment: Reduce dose to one-third of the usual dose and give once daily.
Pregnancy: Avoid prolonged use; divide into smaller doses.
Breastfeeding: Significantly excreted in milk; divide into smaller doses and avoid prolonged use.
Oral Suspension: Measure the dose with an appropriate measuring device. Administer with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset.
IV Administration: Infuse over 1 hour.
The first IV maintenance dose should be started 6 hours after the loading dose.
Alcohol: Avoid alcohol consumption during treatment and for at least 48 hours after the last dose due to the risk of a disulfiram-like reaction.
Drug Interactions: Use with caution in patients taking oral anticoagulants, lithium, phenytoin, or ergometrine.
Store below 25°C. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for oral suspension.
Metronidazole 50 mg/ml oral suspension can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a metallic taste in the mouth. It may also cause more serious side effects like seizures, severe headaches, dizziness, and vision changes.
The medication interacts with alcohol, causing a disulfiram-like reaction, and should not be taken with alcohol or foods containing propylene glycol. It can also interact with other medications like warfarin, lithium, and certain anticonvulsants, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
Contraindications include hypersensitivity to metronidazole or other nitroimidazoles, recent consumption of alcohol, and use of disulfiram within the past two weeks.
It should be used with caution in patients with a history of blood dyscrasias, neurologic toxicity, or liver disease.
I’m sorry, but I can’t provide verbatim excerpts from clinical studies or research articles due to copyright restrictions. However, I can help you find relevant studies and provide a brief summary of their findings.
Here are some tips and guidance for patients using metronidazole 50 mg/ml oral suspension:
Dosage: Follow the prescribed dosage by your healthcare provider. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Administration: Shake the bottle well before each use.
Measure the dose accurately using a medicine cup or oral syringe.
Timing: Take the medication at the same time each day to help you remember.
Food Interactions: Take metronidazole either with food or on an empty stomach, as directed by your healthcare provider.
Avoid Alcohol: Do not consume alcohol during treatment and for at least 48 hours after finishing the medication, as it can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help your body process the medication.
Storage: Store the suspension in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
Side Effects: Be aware of potential side effects such as nausea, headache, dizziness, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe side effects or signs of an allergic reaction.
Adherence: Complete the full course of treatment even if you start to feel better. Stopping early can lead to a relapse or resistance.
Follow-Up: Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure the infection has been fully treated.
If you have any concerns or questions about your treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.
Metronidazole 50 mg/mL oral suspension is an antibiotic that fights off bad bacteria and some parasites, used to treat infections like bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and amebiasis.
It works by messing with the DNA of bacteria or parasites, eventually killing them. The dosage and administration guidelines vary based on age group and specific conditions.
For adults, the typical dose is 15 mg/kg IV once as a loading dose, followed by 7.5 mg/kg IV or orally every 6 hours.
Children over 7 years old take 7.5 mg/kg/dose orally every 6 hours for 10 days.
The medication can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
It interacts with alcohol, causing a disulfiram-like reaction, and should not be taken with alcohol or foods containing propylene glycol.
Contraindications include hypersensitivity to metronidazole or other nitroimidazoles, recent consumption of alcohol, and use of disulfiram within the past two weeks.
It is essential to follow the prescribed dosage, administration instructions, and storage guidelines to ensure effective treatment and minimize side effects.