Metronidazole

*Note: Our medical team must review your online consultation before approving this treatment. They will determine if the requested treatment and quantity are safe, appropriate, and effective for you.

Metronidazole vaginal gel is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections in your vagina, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Is Metronidazole the same as Flagyl?

Metronidazole is the generic name of the medication, also available under the brand name Flagyl. Both the generic and brand-name versions have the same active ingredient and work in the same way.

The FDA approved Flagyl - the brand name for oral Metronidazole - in 1982. Metronidazole is available as a tablet, gel, and as an injectable under other brand names.

At SpeedyHealth, our doctors are able to prescribe Metronidazole tablets or gel for BV after you complete an online consultation.

This medication works by damaging the DNA of the bacteria that causes bacterial vaginosis. This stops the growth of bacteria in the vagina which treats the infection.

There are many benefits of using this medicine to treat BV:

Targeted treatment

The vaginal gel formulation offers targeted treatment as it is applied directly into the vagina. This means that there is little systemic absorption.

Less side effects

The vaginal gel is applied locally, which reduces the likelihood of experiencing systemic side effects compared to oral medicines. Also, since the gel acts in the vagina, it is less likely to disrupt your gut bacteria compared to oral antibiotics.

Convenient

This gel is convenient to use as it is usually applied once daily at bedtime, making it easy for patients. The tablet is convenient to take and doesn’t involve an application process, like the gel.

Lower chance of interactions

The topical formulation means that there is less risk of interactions with other medications.

Short course

The tablets are usually prescribed for 7 days therefore, they won’t interfere with your lifestyle.

Metronidazole vaginal gel is effective in treating infections like bacterial vaginosis.

A clinical study compared the effectiveness of Metronidazole oral tablets with a placebo in 42 women with bacterial vaginosis. Women were either given Metronidazole 500 mg oral tablets three times a day for 10 days or a placebo.

The results showed that 76% of women were cured after taking Metronidazole tablets, compared to only 5% of women who took the placebo.

Metronidazole gel is also an effective treatment form for BV. In a clinical trial consisting of 53 women with BV, patients were allocated to receive treatment with 5g of Metronidazole gel or placebo for 5 days. The results showed that 87% of women who received Metronidazole were cured of BV compared with only 17% of those using the placebo.

This medicine is an effective option for many women however, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Who can use it?

You can take Metronidazole if you are a woman over the age of 18 who has been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis.

Who cannot use it?

You should not use this medicine if you:

• are allergic to Metronidazole, any similar nitroimidazole antibacterials, parabens, or to any of the other ingredients in this medicine.
• have taken a medicine called Disulfiram (used for alcoholism) in the past 2 weeks
• have a condition known as Cockayne syndrome (a rare genetic disorder)

Speak to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have:

• any blood problems or diseases affecting the blood
• liver problems
• kidney problems or are on dialysis
• a nervous system disease
• vaginal thrush
• your period

Speak to your healthcare professional if you are due to have blood tests as this medicine can interfere with the results of certain tests.

It's important to know when and how to take Metronidazole to effectively treat BV. This medicine won’t work as well if it is not taken correctly.

What form of Metronidazole is best for me?

You may prefer using the vaginal gel if you want a localized treatment, which can reduce the risk of systemic side effects. This is also a good option if you do not want to take oral medication.

The tablets are suitable for those who prefer oral medication or find vaginal administration uncomfortable. They are also convenient and easy to administer.

Metronidazole dosage

Tablets: Take one tablet (500 mg) twice a day for 7 days. Space each dose at least 12 hours apart. For example, take the first dose at 8 AM and the next one at 8 PM.

Gel: One applicatorful (5 grams) of Metronidazole vaginal gel is to be applied inside the vagina, once daily for 5 consecutive days. Use this medicine at bedtime to reduce the likelihood of it leaking out during the day.

Method

Tablets: Swallow one tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not cut, crush, or chew the tablet.

Here are instructions on how to use Metronidazole vaginal gel:
	Wash your hands and dry thoroughly To fill the applicator, remove the cap of the gel and screw the end of the applicator onto the tube. Then, gently squeeze the tube from the bottom to fill the applicator until the marked line. Lie on your back with your knees bent Gently insert the applicator into the vagina as far as it feels comfortable.
	Push on the plunger to release all the gel into the vagina Remove the applicator and dispose of it Place the cap back on the tube. Wash your hands again.

With or without food?

You can take the tablet with food or without food. But taking it with food can prevent an upset stomach.

If you have missed a dose of the tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If the missed dose is too close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

If you miss applying a dose of the vaginal gel, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and stick to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine begins to work as soon as you use the first dose. The highest levels of the medication in the body are reached 6 to 12 hours after application. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few days and complete resolution within 5 days. If your infection worsens or symptoms don’t resolve, seek medical attention.

The tablets should be taken for a course of 7 days. The gel should be applied for 5 consecutive days to completely cure BV.

It is important to complete the entire course, even if your symptoms resolve before you finish. If you don’t complete the course, the infection may not be properly treated or may return.

Dr. Adrian Rawlinson Supervising Physician

It’s important to make certain lifestyle changes to ensure this medicine is effective:

Like all medicines, Metronidazole can cause some side effects.

Common side effects:

Uncommon side effects:

For a full list of side effects, consult the patient information leaflet for the vaginal gel or tablets.

This medicine can interact with other prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and natural health supplements. These interactions may change how effective the treatment is.

This medicine may interact with the following:

• Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin)
• Lithium (for mental illnesses)
• Phenytoin, primidone, and phenobarbitone (for epilepsy)
• Cyclosporin (for autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis)
• 5-fluorouracil (for skin problems and cancer)
• Busulfan (for cancer)

This medicine may also interact with:

• Alcohol
• Disulfiram
• Amprenavir
• Bepridil
• Cisapride
• Dronabinol
• Dronedarone
• Mesoridazine

This is not a complete list of interactions. For a full list of drug interactions, visit drugs.com.

The safety information to follow when taking this medicine can be found in the table below:

Storage

Store this medicine in the original packaging between 68°F to 77°F. Ensure the medicine is kept out of reach of children and pets and away from direct sunlight.

Disposal

Do not throw away any unused or expired gel in your household trash or flush it down your toilet. Take this medicine to your nearest pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it.

No, you cannot buy this medicine over the counter. You need a doctor’s prescription to purchase this medicine. This is because a doctor must first check to see if it is suitable for you based on your symptoms and medical history.

If you need a prescription, you can fill our consultation form, it is a quick and easy process. If one of our doctors approves of your prescription, you will receive it electronically.

Yes, you can buy Metronidazole 0.75% vaginal gel​ and Metronidazole 500mg tablets online from SpeedyHealth. All you have to do is:

• Complete a quick online consultation. It only takes 5-10 minutes.
• Our doctor will review the form to ensure the medicine is right for you.
• Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued to you.
• Our licensed pharmacy will dispatch the medicine in discreet packaging and send you the tracking details. We offer free doorstep delivery, so you do not have to pay for shipping.

Your privacy is our top priority. SpeedyHealth uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with USA medical standards to maintain confidentiality.

Here’s why you should choose SpeedyHealth to manage your medicines easily:

• Our licensed doctors help manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• No face-to-face consultations or lengthy wait times for medication approvals. At SpeedyHealth, everything is handled online, and all information is kept confidential.
• Our dedicated customer support team is ready to help you at the click of a button.
• You can manage your prescriptions easily through our secure platform.

The price of Metronidazole at SpeedyHealth includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation
• Free prescription
• Free doorstep delivery

At SpeedyHealth, this medicine starts at $39.99

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

If this medicine is not right for you, good alternatives for treating BV are Clindamycin vaginal cream or Tinidazole tablets.