Drug name: Flagyl

Other names used:

• Metrolyl®
• Zidoval®

Active Ingredients:

• Metronidazole

Therapeutic effect of Flagyl: Metronidazole, the main ingredient in Flagyl, is a nitroimidazole antibiotic, amebicide (substance used to treat amoebozoa infections) and antiprotozoal (substance used to treat protozoan infection). Metronidazole's method of action is to enter the cell of the microorganism through diffusion and to incapacitate it from inside. Metronidazole reacts with various enzymes present inside the organism and inhibits their crucial functions and by doing so Metronidazole kills the bacteria. Metronidazole is very effective against a wide range of bacteria such as Veilonella, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Bacteroides sp., Lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia intestinalis, Clostridium sp. and Peptostreptococcus.

Indications: Flagyl is used in the treatment of:

• Infections of the vagina (vaginitis) caused by protozoa or any anaerobic bacteria after surgery on the female reproductive system
• Sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (Trichomoniasis)
• Infection of the intestine caused by protozoan Giardia lamblia (Lambliasis)
• Nonspecific vaginitis

Precautions and Restrictions: Do not use Flagyl:

• If you are highly sensitive to metronidazole
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a breast-feeding mother
• If the patient is a young infant

Warning:

• This medicine is only for vaginal use
• Never use this medicine during menstrual cycle
• It is not advisable to have sexual intercourse while using this drug
• It is advisable to have a periodic blood level check up if you are using this drug for a long time
• Discontinue the use of Flagyl at once if you experience headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and hot flushes

Side effects of Flagyl: Use of Flagyl may give rise to some side effects that are contrary to what is expected. It is not certain that these adverse reactions will affect every user of this drug. Some of the potential side effects of Flagyl include the following:

• Infection of the vagina caused by fungus Candida albicans (Vaginal candidiasis)
• Vaginal discharge
• Irritation, itching or burning sensation in the vagina
• Discomfort in the pelvic region
• Stomach ache
• Unpleasant taste
• Furry tongue
• Stomach problems such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea
• Numbness in the extremities
• Cephalalgia
• Dizziness
• Dark urine
• Irregular Menstrual Cycle
• Menstrual discomfort
• Vaginal bleeding
• Vulva swelling

The above mentioned side effects are by no means exhaustive, so for the complete list of adverse reactions and possible side effects please see the information provided by the drug manufacturer or consult a doctor or a pharmacist.

Interactions: Before using Flagyl it is very important to consult a doctor and apprise him of the treatment or medication you are currently taking and also get a prescription from your doctor before starting any new drug to ensure that the combination of the two drugs is safe. Some of the drugs that react with Flagyl:

• Flagyl when taken with anticoagulant such as warfarin can increase the risk of clotting in vagina or bleeding in vagina
• Flagyl may raise the quantity of Fluorouracil, Phenytoin, Lithium and Ciclosporin in the blood

Additional Information: Medicines like Flagyl should not be used without prior approval of a trained physician and don't share this drug with anybody else. Flagyl is made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use it for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs out of the reach of children.