Metronidazole Antibiotic Drug Information - Usage Guide, Side Effects, & Patient Precautions

Metronidazole Antibiotic Drug Information
A guide to metronidazole, an antibiotic prescribed for the treatment of acne vulgaris, including side effects and usage tips.

Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat the acne vulgaris skin disorder. It is available as both a topical gel and in pill form to be taken orally.

Besides acne, metronidazole is also commonly used to treat "rosacea", which is a skin disorder that causes a ruddy reddening of the face.

Drinking alcohol while taking oral metronidazole may cause moderate to severe nausea, vomiting, headaches and an abnormal quickening of the heart. So don't drink alcoholic beverages during or 3 days after taking metronidazole.

Some of the possible side effects of topical metronidazole include burning, stinging, peeling, itching, and dryness. For most people, these side effects go away after a week or so when your skin becomes accustomed to the medication.

The orally taken pill version of the metronidazole antibiotic can have some serious side effects such as numbness or tingling of the hands or feets, dizziness, persistent diarrhea, seizures, hives or other allergic reactions including swelling of the tongue. These severe side effects are not common but if you experience any similar symptoms, you should discontinue using the drug.

Other less serious but more common side effects of oral metronidazole include mild nausea, infrequent vomiting, a metal taste in your mouth, headache, mild diarrhea, losing your appetite, and your urine may turn a darker color.

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