Metronidazole injectable

Therapeutic action

Antiprotozoal, antibacterial.

Indications

Severe infections due to anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides species and Clostridium species.

Forms and strengths, route of administration

• 500 mg in 100 ml vial or bag (5 mg/ml), for infusion to be administered over 30 minutes.

Dose

• Child 1 month and over: 10 mg/kg every 8 hours, maximum 1500 mg daily.
• Adult: 500 mg every 8 hours.

Duration

According to indication. Change to oral treatment as soon as possible.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with allergy to metronidazole or another nitroimidazole such as tinidazole or secnidazole.
• Do not drink alcohol during treatment.
• May cause gastrointestinal disturbances, brownish urine, allergic reactions, headache, and dizziness.
• Monitor combination with anticoagulants, lithium, phenytoin, and ergometrine.
• Administer with caution and reduce the total daily dose to one third, given once daily, in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
• Breast-feeding: avoid.
• Metronidazole is as effective by oral route as by parenteral route.
• Do not add any drug in the infusion vial.