You may have seen a doctor because of vaginal discomfort, unusual discharge, or a foul odor. In such cases, the doctor may have told you that the cause is bacterial vaginosis, an infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. So, as a treatment for such a condition, you may be prescribed a vaginal gel called Metronidazole. Today, we will talk about this medicine, how to use it exactly, and what are the most important things you need to be careful about when using this medicine.
What kind of medicine is this Metronidazole Gel?
Simply put, Metronidazole is an antibiotic, that is, an antibiotic . Normally, both good and bad bacteria live in a certain balance in our vagina. But sometimes this balance is lost and the number of harmful bacteria increases, which leads to infections. Metronidazole gel does this by killing the unwanted bacteria and curing the infection.
It is very important to note that this medicine only works on bacterial infections. It will not cure yeast infections (e.g. Candida) or viral infections. Therefore, do not use it without the advice of a doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before your doctor prescribes Metronidazole gel for you, it's important to tell him or her some things about your health. That information will help you decide whether this medication is right for you or not, or what you need to be more careful about.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you are a regular drinker | Metronidazole and alcohol can cause a severe reaction when taken together. We'll talk about that later. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | Special care should be taken when using any medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, it is imperative to inform your doctor about this. |
| If you have liver disease | Because the liver is important in the process of removing medications from the body, medication dosages may need to be adjusted in cases of liver disease. |
| If you have blood-related diseases (e.g., sickle cell disease, leukemia) | This medicine may affect some blood conditions. |
| If you have previously had an allergic reaction to metronidazole or similar medications (nitroimidazoles), or parabens | This information is essential to prevent the risk of allergies. |
| If you have a rare genetic condition called Cockayne syndrome | These patients are at risk of severe liver damage from Metronidazole. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This gel is intended for insertion into the vagina. Do not take it by mouth or apply it to any other part of the body for any reason. Follow these steps.
1. Cleanliness first: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after using the medicine.
2. Prepare the applicator: Take the applicator that comes with the medicine tube and fit it securely into the mouth of the tube. Then, slowly squeeze the tube and fill the prescribed dose into the applicator.
3. Correct posture: Lie on your back, bend your knees, and spread your legs slightly apart. This position makes it easier to insert the medicine into the vagina.
4. Inserting the medicine: Now slowly insert the applicator into the vagina, as deep as possible. Then, press the plunger of the applicator and insert the gel completely into the vagina.
5. Removal and Cleaning: Gently remove the applicator. Wash the used applicator thoroughly with soap and warm water to keep it clean.
6. Complete the course: This is very important. Even if you feel better in two or three days, take this medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, if you stop taking it halfway, the infection may come back.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is within a few hours of your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Metronidazole is a medication that can interact with some other medications and substances, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
| Never use Metronidazole with these! | |
|---|---|
Alcohol or anything that contains alcohol. This can include some cough syrups. Do not drink alcohol while taking metronidazole and for 3 days after taking it. Doing so may cause a severe reaction, such as flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. | |
| Disulfiram | Cisapride |
| Dronedarone | Pimozide |
| Thioridazine | |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are using these. | |
| Birth control pills | Warfarin (blood thinner) |
| Lithium, Cimetidine, Cyclosporine | Phenytoin, Phenobarbital (medicines for seizures ) |
Other medications that prolong the QT interval | |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about any other medications, herbs, or vitamins you are taking.
Things to be careful about when using the medicine
- Pay attention to symptoms: If your symptoms don't improve or get worse, tell your doctor.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: Some people may feel a little sleepy or dizzy while taking this medicine. Avoid driving, operating machinery, and doing other tasks that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Another reminder about alcohol: As we said before, avoid alcohol completely.
- Sexual relations: If you are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease, avoid having sex until you have finished your treatment. Your partner may also need treatment. Talk to your doctor about this.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Metronidazole can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Nervous system problems | Dizziness, difficulty walking, difficulty speaking, numbness or pain in the limbs, seizures . |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and light-colored stools. |
| Other serious symptoms | Severe stomach pain and fever, changes in heart rate, neck pain and stiffness, changes in vision. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Headache | Mild stomach pain or nausea |
| Slight burning or itching at the injection site | Abnormal vaginal discharge (often caused by a yeast infection) |
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is only for bacterial infections of the vagina. It does not work for yeast infections.
- Use the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if your symptoms improve.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking the medicine and for 3 days after stopping it.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including birth control pills).
- If you experience any severe side effects such as dizziness, numbness in the limbs, or skin rashes, seek medical advice immediately.
- Store the medicine at room temperature , out of the reach of children .
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