Metronidazole Cream is used for:
Treating redness and inflammation associated with the skin disorder rosacea. It also may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Metronidazole Cream 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 Metronidazole Cream if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Metronidazole Cream
you are taking an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine) or disulfiram
you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor that contains alcohol (eg, ritonavir); check with your pharmacist if you are unsure if the medicine contains alcohol
you drink alcohol
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Metronidazole Cream:
Some medical conditions may interact with Metronidazole Cream. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a central nervous system disease
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Metronidazole Cream. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) because the effectiveness of Metronidazole Cream may be decreased
Aminoquinolines (eg, chloroquine), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), busulfan, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, disulfiram, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), ethanol, fluorouracil, HIV protease inhibitors containing alcohol (eg, ritonavir), imatinib, lithium, macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), or mitomycin because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
Amphotericin B or oral contraceptives (eg, birth control pills) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Metronidazole Cream
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Metronidazole Cream may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Metronidazole Cream:
Use Metronidazole Cream as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Wash and completely dry the affected area.
Apply a thin layer of Metronidazole Cream to the affected area. Gently rub the medicine in until it is evenly distributed.
Metronidazole Cream works best if taken at the same time each day.
To clear up your infection completely, continue using Metronidazole Cream for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose of Metronidazole Cream, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Metronidazole Cream.
Important safety information:
Metronidazole Cream in for external use only. Avoid getting Metronidazole Cream in your eyes or on the inside of your nose or mouth.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using Metronidazole Cream and for at least 3 days after the last dose.
If severe diarrhea, stomach cramps/pain, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor at once. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect that needs immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use Metronidazole Cream for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Metronidazole Cream and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Metronidazole Cream and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
Long-term or repeated use of Metronidazole Cream may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
Metronidazole Cream is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
Metronidazole Cream may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control while using Metronidazole Cream.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Metronidazole Cream during pregnancy. Metronidazole Cream is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Metronidazole Cream, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Metronidazole Cream:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Burning; itching; mild dryness; redness; skin irritation; stinging.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; diarrhea; nausea; stomach cramps/pain; tingling or numbness in hands and feet.
Proper storage of Metronidazole Cream:
Store Metronidazole Cream 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 Metronidazole Cream out of the reach of children and away from pets.