You can buy metronidazole over the counter in some pharmacies. It’s also known as Flagyl and is used to treat bacterial infections. It comes in tablet, capsule or syrup form. You can buy it at most drug stores without a prescription or doctor’s visit.

If you have an infection that is not going away, talk to your doctor about whether metronidazole might be right for you. Your pharmacist can answer your questions and help you decide if this medication is right for you.

Keep reading to learn more about how to use this medication safely and effectively.

Who Can Benefit From Metronidazole?

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections in the body. It is most often prescribed for people with intestinal or urinary tract infections. It can also be used to treat people with certain parasitic diseases such as giardia, amoebas, or trichomoniasis.

Metronidazole is also used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissue, such as abscesses and Crohn’s disease. It is also used to treat rosacea and endometriosis.

If you have a bacterial infection that does not respond to an oral antibiotic, your doctor may prescribe metronidazole as a single dose. This is called an “empiric” prescription. This means that the doctor is trying a different antibiotic to see if it will work.

How to take Metronidazole

Metronidazole comes in tablets, capsules, a syrups (liquid), and an extended-release tablet. The extended-release tablets are used to treat bacterial infections of the lower intestinal tract.

It comes in 500 mg, 750 mg, and 1,000 mg doses. The dose will depend on the infection you have.

You should not take this medication on an empty stomach. You should also avoid eating grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with this antibiotic.

If you are taking a liquid form of metronidazole, shake the bottle well before each use. If a child is taking the syrup form, be sure to read the dosing instructions on the bottle.

Side Effects of Using Metronidazole

Metronidazole is generally safe and well-tolerated by adults. This medication may cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

Use this drug with caution if you have liver or kidney disease. It may cause more side effects in these populations.

Do not use metronidazole if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

When to see the doctor

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take this medication. If you are taking this drug and have symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop taking it and call your doctor immediately.

If you have side effects, including abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, or dark urine, contact your doctor.

How to Buy the Right Metronidazole Product for You

Metronidazole is available at most pharmacies without a prescription. You can also purchase it online. Make sure that the product you choose is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is made by a reputable company.

If you are taking metronidazole to treat a bacterial infection, choose a product that has the antibiotic listed as the only active ingredient. This will make sure that you are taking the correct dosage.

If you are taking this drug to treat rosacea or endometriosis, you can choose a product that contains metronidazole as well as other ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide or sulfur.

How to Store Metronidazol

Metronidazole is a fragile drug and can quickly break down. Make sure that you store it in a cool, dry place away from direct light and heat. Avoid places like the bathroom with fluctuations in humidity.

If you open a bottle of liquid metronidazole, you should store it in the refrigerator. If you are not going to use the entire bottle within 4 weeks, you should discard the unused portion.

If you are using a syrup form of metronidazole, you should store it in the refrigerator. If you are not going to use the entire bottle within 6 weeks, you should discard the unused portion.

Conclusion

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. It is most often prescribed for people with intestinal or urinary tract infections. Metronidazole can also be used to treat people with certain parasitic diseases such as giardia, amoebas, or trichomoniasis. Metronidazole is also used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissue, such as abscesses and Crohn’s disease. It is also used to treat rosacea and endometriosis.

This medication is generally safe and well-tolerated by adults. It may cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. It should be used with caution if you have liver or kidney disease.

Do not use metronidazole if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have side effects, including abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, or dark urine, contact your doctor.