All you should know about side effects of Metronidazole

Metonidazole is a medicine which is usually used for treating the infections caused by micro organisms like protozoa or anaerobic bacteria. It is used for various infections such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, intestinal amoeba infections, giardiasis, pelvic inflammatory disease etc. It is available in the form of pills, vaginal gel, facial gel and cream and as rectal suppositories. Although it is a very effective medication available for such problems yet we cannot ignore the side effects of Metronidazole.
Metronidazole is carcinogenic matter in case of rats and mice. The medication has a disgusting metallic taste which is very difficult for some people to withstand but its taste can be lessened if this medicine is taken with fruit juice. Some of the side effects are like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and dyspepsia but these effects are less common. Some of the more commonly recorded side effects of Metronidazole include rash, itching, feeling giddy, yeast infections, furry tongue, headache and pain in the joints. It can also cause fever, sore throat, severe skin reaction, burning in the patient’s eyes, pain in skin, swelling in face or tongue, sometimes followed by a rash which may spread and cause blistering or peeling of the skin.
It is recommended to the patient taking Metronidazole to avoid alcohol if his physician has said so. If alcohol is taken, there may be Antabuse like effect which leads to sweating, high blood pressure, flushing and at times your life can also be at risk. The side effects related to its use can be life threatening also like some examples are seizures, low count of the white blood cells, aseptic meningitis (a non-infectious inflammation of the lining of the central nervous system), and at times allergic reactions like toxic epidermal necrolyises and Steven’s Johnson Syndrome.
There are also possibilities of drug interactions while taking Metronidazole so it is advised to the patient to never ever take it with BCG vaccine, disulifarm (Antabuse), and few of the HIV drugs such as tipranavir, ritonavir and lopinavir and busulfan. Whenever you are prescribed Metronidazole by your physician tell him about any other medication which you might be taking currently. It should be avoided with ethanol, diazoxide, warfarin and other such medicines. You should always check the information booklet for possible drug interactions.
Though it is quite safe for breastfeeding mothers but the mothers are advised to avoid it in the first trimester, especially during the lactation period in case they can find a better alte
ative for it.
Metronidazole is used for many parasitic and bacterial infections and it is quite cheaper than the other medicines which are used for the treatment of the infections caused by Clostridium difficile, Helicobacter pylori and other infections which are not easy to eliminate. Metronidazole can be easily absorbed orally also, so it is a better alte
ative whenever there is a need of IV infusion. Other than the metallic taste and the GI side effects, Metronidazole is quite a popular drug among people who want a cure for their infections.