What it means
A drug that works against bacteria that live without oxygen and against parasites such as trichomonas and giardia. It is used for bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, some belly and pelvic infections, dental infections and, in some cases, C. difficilesee dif-uh-SEELClostridioides difficile, a spore-forming bacterium that can infect the colon (the large intestine).Full entry . It comes as tablets, IV, vaginal gel and skin cream. Side effects include nausea, a metallic taste and dark urine.
For the nurse
Teach the client to avoid all alcohol, including in mouthwash and cough syrups, during treatment and for 3 days after, since the mix can cause severe vomiting, flushing and a fast heart rate. Report numbness or tingling, which can mean nerve damage. Sexual partners may need treatment for trichomoniasis.
At a glance
| Drug class | antibiotic (nitroimidazole); antiprotozoal |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Flagyl, MetroGel, Likmez |
| Spanish | metronidazol |
| Also written | Flagyl, MetroGel, Likmez |
Easy to confuse with
metformin
An oral drug for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood sugar, mainly by reducing the sugar the liver releases.
Related terms
C. difficile
Clostridioides difficile, a spore-forming bacterium that can infect the colon (the large intestine).
bacterium
A tiny one-celled living thing, seen only under a microscope, of which some kinds cause disease; the plural is bacteria.
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.