Brand Name

Flagyl {Pfizer}

Generic Name

metronidazole, pronounced me troe NI da zole

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Flagyl?

Flagyl is an antibiotic prescribed to treat a variety of different bacterial infections including infections of the reproductive system, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and vagina.

Flagyl may also be used for conditions that are not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Flagyl

Flagyl should not be taken if you are drinking alcohol. You should wait at least 3 days after you stop taking Flagyl before you drink alcohol. If you do not wait at least 3 days you can experience unpleasant side effects like fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, a tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting. Make sure that you check the labels of any medicines or food products that you use to see if they contain alcohol.

Flagyl will not treat a vaginal yeast infection or a viral infection such as the common cold or the flu.

Flagyl is in FDA pregnancy category B. Flagyl should not be taken if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant before you start to take Flagyl. You should not use Flagyl without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby, as Flagyl passes into breast milk.

Flagyl may cause diarrhea during treatment. This may be a side effect or the sign of a possible new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, you should stop taking Flagyl right away and call your doctor. Do not use any anti-diarrhea medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Before You Take Flagyl

You should not use Flagyl if you are allergic to metronidazole or any other drugs.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

Let your doctor know if you have liver disease, a stomach or intestinal disease like Crohn’s, epilepsy or another seizure disorder before taking Flagyl.

If you have a blood cell disorder like anemia (lack of red blood cells) or leukopenia (lack of white blood cells) you should tell your doctor before taking Flagyl.

Tell your doctor if you have a nerve disorder before starting treatment with Flagyl.

Flagyl Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Flagyl. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Flagyl

You should take Flagyl exactly as your doctor has prescribed you to. Do not use Flagyl in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label exactly.

You can take Flagyl with or without food.

If you are taking Flagyl extended-release metronidazole tablet (Flagyl ER) you should do so on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Do not break, chew or crush the extended release tablet only swallow it whole.

You must take Flagyl for the full amount of time your doctor has prescribed . Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared, but you still need to complete your course of antibiotic treatment. Failure to do so may result in an increased risk of further infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

Flagyl can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Let any doctor that you see know you are taking Flagyl.

You should store Flagyl at room temperature, and away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose of Flagyl you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Flagyl Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Flagyl and seek medical help immediately:

• allergic reactions that includes breathing difficulties, hives, and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• confusion
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• eye pain or vision problems
• fever with chills, muscle pain, confusion, headache, sore throat, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting
• numbness
• seizures
• severe skin reaction and fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) that causes blistering and peeling
• tremors and twitching
• trouble concentrating with confusion and slurred speech
• unusual thoughts or behavior and mood changes
• urination that is painful or burning
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips

Less serious Flagyl side effects may include:

• cough
• diarrhea (mild) and stomach pain
• dizziness and loss of balance
• sneezing and stuffy or runny nose
• swollen or sore tongue
• unpleasant metallic taste in mouth along with dry mouth
• vaginal itching or discharge

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Flagyl. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Flagyl Description and Dosing

Flagyl is available in 350 mg tablets which are round, blue, film coated, with SEARLE and 1831 debossed on one side and Flagyl and 250 on the other side.

Flagyl 500 mg tablets are also available, and they are oblong, blue, film coated, with Flagyl debossed on one side and 500 on the other side.

Flagyl dosages vary for each individual based on their age, condition and situation. Your doctor will tell you the right dose of Flagyl for you to take. Do not change or alter your Flagyl dose without talking to your doctor first.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with the Flagyl you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Flagyl

The main ingredient in Flagyl metronidazole. Inactive ingredients are cellulose, FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, stearic acid, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.