Metronidazole: a review

ABSTRACT

Metronidazole (Flagyl) is a 5-nitroimidazole extensively used in many countries in the treatment of several protozoan infections (trichomoniasis, giardiasis, amoebiasis) and obligate anaerobic infections. It is well tolerated orally and parentally with minimal untoward effects. Metronidazole is rapidly replacing clindamycin in many countries, as resistance to clindamycin has been reported. Metronidazole crosses the blood-brain barrier readily, diffuses well into pus and is therefore very effective in the treatment of brain abscess due to anaerobes. In combination with an aminoglycoside, metronidazole provides grood prophlaxis perioperatively in intra-abdominal surgery. Metronidazole is also useful in the management of other diseases such as pseudomembranous colitis and rosacea. Metronidazole is inexpensive when compared with other antibiotics used to treat anaerobic infections, (for example clindamycin). (Summary)