Flagyl Side Effects

Serious Side Effects of Flagyl

Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience unsteadiness, seizures, unexplained changes in mood, numbness of the hands or feet, or painful urination.
Get medical attention immediately if you experience pain in the eye, sever headaches, sudden changes to your vision, neck pain, constant fever, unexplained bleeding or bruising, and constant stomach pain or vomiting.
An extended treatment may cause thrush or a yeast infection. Talk to your doctor if you see any white spots within your mouth.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Flagyl include a rash, severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, mouth, or throat.

Common Side Effects of Flagyl

You may observe a darkened urine color while taking Flagyl. This is not a serious symptom and may go away after treatment is stopped.
Flagyl may cause you to become dizzy, get a headache, or lose your appetite.
Taking this medication may lead to nausea, diarrhea or constipation, pain in the stomach, dry mouth, and changes in taste.
Drinking alcohol can worsen or increase your chances of experiencing severe stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, headaches, and redness of the skin.

Warnings & Recalls for Flagyl

Flagyl Black Box Warning

Metronidazole has caused cancer in lab animals. Do not use this drug unnecessarily.

Flagyl Warnings

Before taking Flagyl, let your doctor know if you have a history of kidney disease, liver disease, a disease of the blood, or Crohn's disease.
Talk to your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medications you are currently taking.
Do not take Flagyl within the two weeks following a dose of disulfiram.
Flagyl may pass onto an infant through breast milk. Talk to your doctor about interrupting breast feeding during your Flagyl treatment.

Flagyl Drug Interactions

Flagyl can increase the anticoagulant properties of oral coumarin anticoagulats.
Microsomal liver enzyme inducing medications can increase the motabolization of Flagyl, leading to lowered plasma levels.
In patients taking high doses of lithium, Flagyl has caused elevated levels of lithium in the body, sometimes leading to lithium toxicity.

Flagyl Treatment and Use

Flagyl | Metronidazole is an antibacterial and antiprotozoal that can eradicate a variety of infections in many parts of the body. This includes infections of the skin, bone, joints, central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and reproductive system. Examples of bacterial infections are pelvic inflammatory disease, trichomoniasis, and Amebiasis. It is also sometimes used to treat bacterial infections in dogs, cats, and fish.

How does Flagyl work?

Flagyl is absorbed by bacteria and protozoa and inhibits further production by deactivating enzymes within them. With enough treatment, this clears the body of bacterial infection. Flagyl will not work against viral infections such as the flu.

Flagyl Dosage Information

Flagyl comes in either a 250-mg or 500-mg tablet to be taken orally between one to three times a daily. Do not double a dose to make up for a missed dose. Taking this medication with a meal or a full glass of water or milk can prevent your stomach from becoming upset.

Treatments are typically between one and ten days depending on the type of infection, but can be extended by your doctor as needed. Bone, joint, and lower respiratory tract infections can sometimes require longer treatments. Keep taking Flagyl even if your symptoms improve. Stopping a treatment before the recommended time can cause a relapse of the infection.

Other Names for Flagyl

Brand name:

Flagyl

Metryl

Protostat

Generic name:

Metronidazole