Metronidazole is an antibiotic Overview of Antibiotics Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are not effective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing... read more used to treat pelvic, abdominal, soft-tissue, gum, and tooth infections and abscesses in the lungs or brain. It is also the preferred drug for certain protozoal infections, such as amebiasis Amebiasis Amebiasis is an infection of the large intestine and sometimes the liver and other organs that is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, an ameba. The amebas... read more , the intestinal infection giardiasis Giardiasis Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite Giardia. The main symptoms are abdominal cramping and diarrhea. People may have abdominal... read more , the vaginal infection Trichomonas vaginitis Trichomonas Vaginitis Trichomonas vaginitis is a vaginal infection due to the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginitis is usually sexually transmitted. It can cause a green or yellow... read more , and the bacterial infection bacterial vaginosis Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection that occurs when the balance of bacteria in the vagina is altered. Women who have a sexually transmitted infection, who have several sex partners,... read more . Tinidazole is a related antibiotic used primarily to treat these same protozoal infections and bacterial vaginosis.
Metronidazole works by disrupting the production of genetic material by bacteria. As a result, the bacteria die. Tinidazole works in a similar way.
Metronidazole is usually taken by mouth but can be given intravenously. Tinidazole is taken by mouth.
Metronidazole and tinidazole can interfere with alcohol metabolism and can cause unpleasant side effects similar to those of a hangover including nausea, vomiting, flushing, and headache. Alcohol should be avoided while taking metronidazole or tinidazole and for 3 days after the last dose.
Metronidazole and Tinidazole
(See also Overview of Antibiotics Overview of Antibiotics Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are not effective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing... read more .)
Use of Metronidazole or Tinidazole During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Metronidazole should be avoided during the 1st trimester of pregnancy because birth defects are possible. (See also Drug Use During Pregnancy Drug Use During Pregnancy More than 50% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy... read more .)
There are limited data on the use of tinidazole during pregnancy. However, because animal studies suggest a moderate risk of harmful effects on the fetus, pregnant women should avoid tinidazole during pregnancy.
Women who are breastfeeding should not take metronidazole. Women should not breastfeed for 72 hours after a single dose of tinidazole. (See also Drug Use During Breastfeeding Drug Use During Breastfeeding When mothers who are breastfeeding have to take a drug, they wonder whether they should stop breastfeeding. The answer depends on the following: How much of the drug passes into the milk Whether... read more .)
