"Metronidazole" - is it an antibiotic or not? Instructions for use and feedback

Is the drug Metronidazole an antibiotic or not? The answer to this medical question you will find further. Also, from the materials of this article you will learn about what this means is intended for, what form of release it has, how to use this medication and what its cost is in pharmacies.

Forms of production, packaging and formulation

Before answering the question about what a "Metronidazole" drug is (it's an antibiotic or not), you should tell what forms it can be found in the pharmacy.

Currently, this drug is available in the following forms:

• 0.5% solution for infusion. Has a transparent color with a greenish tinge. The active substance of the drug is metronidazole. Sold in 100 ml bottles placed in a cardboard box.
• White and round tablets. The active substance of the drug is metronidazole. Tablets are placed in a 10-unit cell outline package. In one cardboard pack, there may be 1, 5 or 2 packs.
• Vaginal suppositories "Metronidazole" (suppositories). The use of this drug should be carried out only according to the doctor's prescription. Candles are white (also can be with a yellowish tinge) and torpedo shape. 1 suppository contains an active substance such as metronidazole. For sale in ten pieces in a cardboard box.
• Vaginal gel. The active ingredient of the drug is metronidazole. The sale comes in 30 g tube with a special applicator for intravaginal injection.
• Cream. The active component of the drug is metronidazole. The sale comes in 15 g tube, which is placed in a cardboard box.
• Outer gel. The active substance of the drug is metronidazole. The sale comes in 15 g tube, which is placed in a cardboard box.

Pharmacological characteristics of the agent

What is Metronidazole? Is it an antibiotic or not? The drug we are considering is an antimicrobial and antiprotozoal agent, as well as a derivative of 5-nitroimidazole.

The principle of action of this drug is to restore (biochemical) five-nitro group of transport intracellular proteins of anaerobic and protozoan microorganisms.

After reduction, the five-nitro group begins to interact with the DNA of the microorganism cells, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of their acids (nucleic acids), resulting in the death of bacteria.

Reception "Metronidazole" can be appointed to the patient for suppression of Trichomonas and dysentery amoeba, as well as obligate anaerobes and some Gram-positive microorganisms.

In combination with such an antibiotic as "Amoxicillin", this drug shows good activity in relation to Helicobacter pylori.

One can not but note the fact that the anaerobes of facultative and aerobic microorganisms are insensitive to the active substance of this remedy. However, in the presence of mixed flora (anaerobes and aerobes), this drug acts synergistically with those antibiotics that are effective against conventional aerobes.

It should also be noted that this tool increases the sensitivity of malignant tumors to radiation, and also causes sensitization to alcoholic beverages (that is, it has a disulfiram-like effect).

Pharmacokinetics of the drug

How long does the Metronidazole drug take? Instructions for use, the doctors' reviews of this medicine say that this drug has a fairly high penetrating ability. After application, the active substance quickly (about an hour) reaches bactericidal concentrations in all liquids and most tissues of the human body, including such internal organs as the kidneys, lungs, skin, liver, brain, spinal fluid, saliva, bile, amniotic fluid, vaginal Secret, cavity of abscesses, breast milk and seminal fluid. It should also be noted that the active element of this drug easily penetrates the blood-brain and placental barriers.

The half-life of the drug (with normal liver function) is about 8 hours. If the liver of the patient has an alcoholic lesion, then this value is markedly increased (up to 18 hours).

The drug is produced by the kidneys (about 80%), and also through the intestine (about 20%).

Indications for use

In what cases can a patient be prescribed Metronidazole? Analogues of this remedy and the medicine itself have the following indications:

• Amebiasis extraintestinal, including liver abscess (amoebic);
• Intestinal amebiasis (or so-called amoebic dysentery) ;
• Trichomonas vaginitis;
• Trichomoniasis;
• Various infections, including joints, bones, CNS;
• Urethritis trihomonadny;
• meningitis;
• Protozoal infections;
• pneumonia;
• Brain abscess;
• Empyema;
• Endocarditis bacterial;
• Abscess of the lungs;
• Pelvic infection (ovarian abscess, fallopian tubes, endometritis, vaginal vaginal infection);
• sepsis;
• Colitis pseudomembranous, associated with the use of antibacterial drugs;
• Infection of the abdominal cavity (liver abscess or peritonitis);
• Gastritis or ulcer of the duodenum (or stomach) associated with the presence of Helicobacter pylori;
• Radiation treatment of patients with tumors (used as a radiosensitizing agent);
• Prevention of complications arising after surgery (surgery on the pararectal area, the colon, gynecological operations, appendectomy).

Contraindications to the use of the medicine

In what cases is it forbidden to use Metronidazole? Instructions for use, expert reviews contain the following list of contraindications:

• Lesions (organic nature) of the central nervous system, including epilepsy;
• Leukopenia, including in the anamnesis;
• Liver failure (with the appointment of large doses);
• Pregnancy time (especially in the 1st trimester);
• Hypersensitivity to components;
• Lactation period.

Metronidazole Medication: Instruction

Feedback on this drug, we will submit a little further. Now we will tell you about how this drug should be taken.

Pills

• With amebiasis - 1.5 g per day in 3 divided doses for a week.
• With giardiasis, 750-1000 mg per day in 3 divided doses for 5 days (taken only after meals).
• When trichomoniasis in women (vaginitis and urethritis) - once 2 g or in the form of course therapy for 10 days 250 mg twice a day (the course is repeated after 4-7 weeks).
• With trichomoniasis in the stronger sex (urethritis) - once 2 g or in the form of course therapy for 10 days 250 mg twice a day (the course is repeated after 4-7 weeks).
• With nonspecific vaginitis - 500 mg twice a day for a week
• For anaerobic infections, 1-1.5 g per day.

Injection

Intramuscular injection of the drug is indicated only in cases of severe disease, and also if there is no possibility of taking the medication internally.

Single dose is 500 mg. The interval between administrations should be at least 8 hours. The duration of therapy is determined on an individual basis. The maximum daily volume of the drug should not be more than 4 g.

Gel and outer cream

How should I use the external drug Metronidazole? The effect of this medication will be most effective if it is used in conjunction with general antibiotic therapy.

Gel or cream thin layer applied to the skin twice a day (after waking and before going to bed). The duration of treatment is 3-7 weeks. Gel and cream can be alternated every 12 hours.

Vaginal gel

Use intravaginally. Dosage should be 5 g. Enter the gel preferably twice a day (after awakening and before bedtime) for 5 days.

Vaginal suppositories

The agent is used intravaginally. The candle is injected deep into the vagina with a pointed end. For the treatment of trichomonas vaginitis, one suppository is prescribed twice a day for 10 days. For the treatment of nonspecific vaginitis use 1 candle twice a day for a week.

Medication "Metronidazole" - is it an antibiotic or not?

This question is very often of interest to those to whom this medication was prescribed. As stated above, the drug "Metronidazole" is a drug that is obtained synthetically, it has a wide spectrum of action. Therefore, answering the question posed, experts argue that this remedy is not an antibiotic. In fact antibiotics name the natural substances received from special mushrooms. As for metronidazole, it is not found in nature. It is obtained chemically.

Analogues and price of medicine

How much is the drug "Metronidazole"? Analogues of this drug and the medicine itself do not have a very high cost. Depending on the form of release, this medicine may have a different price. On average, it varies between 15 and 150 Russian rubles.

Currently, there is a huge number of analogs of this drug. The most popular drugs are Trichopol, Metronidazole-Akos, Metronidal, Bacimex, Trichosept, Metrolacker, Deflamon, Metroseptol, Clion, Trichobrol, Metrowogin "," Rosex "," Metrovit "," Siptrogil "," Metrogil "," Metron "," Metroksan "," Orvagil "," Rosamet "," Flagil "and so on.

Reviews about the medicine

There is a large number of positive reviews about this drug. Many patients claim that this remedy very quickly cures various infections, including gastritis and stomach ulcers. However, it should be noted that no fewer patients complain of side effects that appear immediately after taking the drug. Patients experience a metallic taste in the mouth, weakness, dizziness, apathy, severe headaches, fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and so on.