Metronidazole 400mg Tablets

What are Metronidazole 400mg tablets?

Metronidazole is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication often sold under the brand name Flagyl.

It is commonly used for bacterial infections, such as bacterial vaginosis.

Aside from Metronidazole tablets, the medicine also comes available as a liquid, suppository, a vaginal gel, or external cream or gel.

You can only buy Metronidazole on prescription. 

What is Metronidazole used to treat?

While primarily used to treat bacterial vaginosis, Metronidazole is also approved for the treatment of trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a tiny parasite called trichomonas vaginalis (TV).

Although bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis may sound very similar, they are somewhat different. BV is caused by excessive vaginal bacteria, while trichomoniasis is caused be a little parasite.

Metronidazole can also treat infections all over the body including the stomach, liver, skin, joints, brain, and respiratory tract.

Why is Metronidazole recommended to treat BV?

Metronidazole is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the world, it is currently on the World Health Organisation's List of Essential Medicines.

It is normally effective in clearing symptoms after just 48 hours. If you have been taking the medicine for longer than 10 days, your doctor may wish to review your progress to see if another medicine might be more suitable for you.

How do Metronidazole 400mg tablets work?

Metronidazole works to treat bacterial vaginosis by stopping the bacteria and parasites that cause the infection from growing. It has the same mechanism of action for other bacterial infections that occur elsewhere on the body, such as infected leg ulcers or oral infections.

Who can take Metronidazole 400mg?

To make sure this treatment is safe for you, you should check with your doctor before taking it if you have any of the following conditions:

• You have or have ever had liver problems
• You have had an allergic reaction to Metronidazole or any other medications in the past
• You are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• You do not feel that you will be able to stop drinking alcohol while taking Metronidazole
• You are having dialysis
• You have a disease of the nervous system

If you wish to use the vaginal gel, you should also check with your doctor if you think you may have vaginal thrush.

Can you buy Metronidazole 400mg over the counter?

No, you need a prescription to purchase Metronidazole. 

Can you buy Metronidazole 400mg online?

You can buy Metronidazole 400mg tablets online from most UK online pharmacies. You will be required to complete an online health consultation which will allow a doctor to review your condition to ensure you are receiving the most suitable treatment.

When buying Metronidazole 400mg tablets online, you should always ensure you are purchasing from a fully regulated UK pharmacy. To learn more about our company and who we are regulated by, visit our about us page.

Metronidazole alternatives 

There are other medicines available to treat bacterial vaginosis if Metronidazole is not suitable for you to use.

Balance Activ is a vaginal gel that contains lactic acid, which works to restore your body’s natural pH balance. This 7-day treatment should be applied before going to sleep, allowing it to work overnight. Balance Activ gets to work straight away and you should have noticed a considerable improvement after just a few days. Balance Activ can be bought without needing a prescription.

You can also order Canestest, which is a self-test kit for vaginal infections including bacterial vaginosis. This test provides instant results and will help to make sure you receive the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

Metronidazole is also available as a gel. A study into the efficacy of both the gel and oral versions of Metronidazole when treating bacterial vaginosis found them to be as effective. However, patients reported fewer gastrointestinal side effects when using the gel.

Metronidazole Dosage and Directions

Take Metronidazole as your doctor or pharmacist has instructed you. Read the patient information leaflet for full instructions. 

Metronidazole tablets should be taken after you have eaten. Swallow them whole with a drink of water; do not crush or chew the tablets.

For most infections, your doctor will likely instruct you to take 1 tablet twice a day for 7 days. Some infections may only need a single dose, while others may require up to two weeks of treatment.

Metronidazole Side Effects

If you are using Metronidazole cream or gel, you are unlikely to experience any adverse effects. However, when taking the tablets or liquid, side effects are more likely.

Common side effects of Metronidazole 400mg tablets are:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• A metallic taste in your mouth or a furry tongue

Speak to your doctor if any of the above reactions bother you or do not go away.

This list is not exhaustive, please refer to our medical guide that provides more information on Metronidazole side effects.

Always read the information leaflet that will come with your medicine for a comprehensive list.

Metronidazole Warnings and Drug Interactions

Metronidazole may interact with other medicines in both adults and children, which can increase your risk of side effects or hinder its effectiveness.

Before you start to use a new medicine, it is very important you tell your doctor if you are currently taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. 

In particular, when you use Metronidazole tablets, you should inform your doctor if you are already taking any of the below medicines:

• The blood-thinning medicine warfarin
• Lithium to treat mental illness
• Disulfiram for treating alcoholism
• The epilepsy medicines phenytoin or phenobarbitone
• Medicines for the treatment of cancer, fluorouracil or busulfan
• Any medicines that you take as a liquid (many liquid medicines contain alcohol)

Metronidazole is not known to cause any problems when taken alongside herbal remedies. Nonetheless, you should still inform your doctor if you are currently using any herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements, as several contain alcohol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding 

Studies have shown that taking Metronidazole during pregnancy for the treatment of trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis is safe and shows no teratogen risk.

Treating bacterial infections during pregnancy can be crucial to the health of a mother and baby. If left untreated, bacterial infections can increase the chance of premature labour. 

The use of Metronidazole during pregnancy should be subject to a clinical risk assessment from your doctor who will weigh up how necessary the treatment is against any potential risks that may arise as a result of using the medicine whilst pregnant. 

More information can be found on the BUMPs website.

Metronidazole and alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking Metronidazole and for at least 72 hours after your treatment is complete. Alcohol can interact with Metronidazole, which can cause vomiting or nausea.

Our medical guide provides more information on drinking alcohol while taking metronidazole.

Metronidazole Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Metronidazole

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Metronidazole online in the UK?

Metronidazole for Bacterial Vaginosis FAQs