Flagyl MedFacts

Flagyl

Flagyl is used for:

Treating certain infections caused by bacteria or amoebas. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Flagyl is an oral antiprotozoal and antibacterial. It is thought to work by entering the bacterial cell, acting on some components of the cell and destroying the bacteria.

Do NOT use Flagyl if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Flagyl or to other nitroimidazoles (eg, tinidazole)
• you are in the first 3 months of pregnancy
• you are taking busulfan, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), or you have taken disulfiram within the past 2 weeks
• you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor that contains alcohol (eg, amprenavir solution); check with your pharmacist if you are unsure if the medicine contains alcohol
• you drink alcohol

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Flagyl

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Flagyl . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medical conditions below applies to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have nerve, brain, or blood problems; Crohn disease; or a history of liver problems

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Flagyl . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or phenytoin because they may decrease Flagyl 's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), busulfan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), HIV protease inhibitors containing alcohol (eg, amprenavir solution), lithium, or macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus) because their risk of side effects may be increased by Flagyl
• Disulfiram because side effects, such as mental or mood changes, may occur
• Oral contraceptives (eg, birth control pills) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Flagyl

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Flagyl may interact with other medicines you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Flagyl Usage Guidelines

You should use Flagyl as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Flagyl by mouth with food.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Flagyl for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Flagyl , take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Flagyl .

Important safety information on flagyl

• Flagyl may cause dizziness. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Flagyl with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Flagyl and for at least 1 day after the last dose.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Flagyl only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Be sure to use Flagyl for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Flagyl may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Flagyl . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Flagyl may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Flagyl .
• Lab tests, including liver function and white blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Flagyl . These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Flagyl with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Flagyl should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Flagyl while you are pregnant. Do not use Flagyl in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Flagyl is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Flagyl .

Side effects may be caused by Flagyl

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Appetite loss; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; metallic taste; nausea; stomach upset; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; increased or decreased urination; numbness, tingling, or burning of your arms, hands, legs, or feet; seizures; severe diarrhea; sore throat, chills, or fever; stomach pain or cramps; vaginal itching, odor, or discharge; white patches in the mouth.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include nausea; seizures; vomiting.

Flagyl storage instructions:

Store Flagyl at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Flagyl out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Flagyl , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Flagyl is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Flagyl . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.