Metronidazole

When the number of bacteria naturally found within the vagina changes it can upset the normal balance and cause an infection known as bacterial vaginosis (BV). It can occur in women of all ages but is most commonly found in those still within their reproductive years. Sex without protection, smoking and using douching products too regularly can upset this internal balance of the vagina and cause symptoms such as white discharge, an unpleasant odour and an itching or burning sensation. Some women find they experience no symptoms at all, but if you notice any changes it is important to seek medical advice. BV may clear up itself in time, but an oral treatment such as metronidazole can help your body to recover far more quickly, relieving you of the unpleasant or uncomfortable symptoms

You can purchase metronidazole online having completed a medical health questionnaire which enables our in-house doctors to assess whether this is the correct treatment for your symptoms.

Once approved, you can purchase your treatment which will be sent out quickly and discreetly to your chosen address. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, then you can also book a free and confidential online appointment with a doctor at any time to discuss this.

Metronidazole is highly effective at clearing up BV in as little as 2 to 3 days though the treatment usually continues for up to 14 days to ensure the infection does not return.

The medication helps the body to fight infections and stop the development of the wrong kind of bacteria, bringing it back under control. This allows the body to utilise its own naturally occurring immunity to get the bacteria levels back into the correct balance. Many doctors still consider metronidazole to be the ‘gold standard’ in anaerobic antibiotics.

Metronidazole has been used to treat infections for nearly 50 years and has proven, over that time to be as effective then as it is now. The medication is absorbed well and gets to work quickly, within 1 to 2 hours in most cases. In studies, it was shown that over 90% of women have no further symptoms after treatment, and it has been shown to be safe to use during pregnancy. One study of nearly 8000 pregnant women demonstrated that taking antibiotics in no way increased the risk of premature birth, and there was no evidence to suggest that taking a treatment such as metronidazole for BV whilst pregnant had any side effects for mother or child.

The active ingredient in each tablet is metronidazole.

The inactive ingredients are:

• croscarmellose sodium
• cellulose
• colloidal silica
• lactose
• magnesium stearate
• maize starch
• polyethylene glycol
• titanium dioxide
• hydroxypropyl cellulose
• methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose

When there is an imbalance or overgrowth of certain anaerobic bacteria within the vagina, BV is the result. One of the bacteria noted for its role in the development of bacterial vaginosis is Gardnerella, and when this kind of overgrowth is present, treatments such as metronidazole work very effectively to kill the bacteria and enable the body to get its balance back. Any bacteria not destroyed by the medication will be dealt with by the patient’s natural immunity.

The most common amount of time you would be prescribed metronidazole for BV is anywhere up to 14 days. Due to certain potential side effects, it is unlikely you would be prescribed it for long-term use. If it is necessary for you to use it for 3 or more months, you would require regular reviews with your doctor to ensure it is safe for you to continue.

Although you will be given the prescription most appropriate to your symptoms and health, the usual recommended dose for metronidazole when suffering from bacterial vaginosis is one 400mg tablet twice a day for 7 days. Ensure you always take the tablets as directed by your doctor.

Antibiotics work best when the level of the drug is kept even, so try and take the treatment at the same time each day; for example, 9 am with breakfast and 7 pm with dinner. It is best to be taken with food or a glass of milk to help stop any nausea and must not be broken, chewed or crushed.

Do not stop taking the course of antibiotics halfway through even if you feel better, as this can result in a relapse or else cause the bacteria, which is still left in the body, to become resistant to metronidazole, making it unusable if the infection does return.

As with any medication, side effects are possible though not everyone will experience them, and metronidazole is considered to be very well-tolerated in most patients. The most common side effects of metronidazole are generally mild and manifest as an upset stomach, abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhoea.

Other possible side effects include a metallic taste, headaches, rashes, vaginal itching and sores in the mouth.

It has been shown that metronidazole passes into breast milk and, as such, should not be used whilst breastfeeding. If required, you should stop feeding your baby with breast milk during this time. Babies who take in metronidazole can be prone to developing an upset stomach, candidiasis and an intolerance to lactose.

Antibiotic treatments kill both the overgrown bacteria as well as good bacteria in the vagina, meaning that some women can develop thrush after using such a treatment. Whilst this is nothing to worry about, if this occurs, book an appointment with your GP or Click Pharmacy doctor and get a prescription for thrush treatment.

In rare cases, the use of metronidazole has been linked to peripheral neuropathy, presenting as numbness and neuropathic pain in the legs and feet and experienced more at night. If caught early enough, it can be reversed, so if you experience anything like this whilst using metronidazole, seek medical advice right away.

There are certain medications which cannot be mixed with metronidazole due to how they might interfere with one another’s effectiveness. Keep a list of all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbal supplements. Some of the prescribed treatments to mention include:

• warfarin or any other blood thinner
• lithium
• epilepsy treatments
• busulfan
• 5-fluorouracil
• disulfiram
• ciclosporin

Metronidazole is the recommended treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Other options include:

Dalacin Cream 2%

Dalacin Cream 2% is a topical formulation containing clindamycin, an antibiotic that stops the bacteria from growing and spreading, ultimately treating the infection. The cream is applied inside the vagina for 7 consecutive nights. It is available only with a doctor's prescription. 

Zidoval Vaginal Gel 

Zidoval is also a topical formulation containing the antibiotic metronidazole. It is inserted into the vagina for 5 consecutive days. Zidoval Vaginal Gel is a prescription-only formulation. 

Balance Activ BV Gel

This topical formulation works by lowering the pH of the vagina, making the conditions more suitable for good bacteria to grow in the vagina. Balance Activ BV Gel does not require a prescription and can be used with metronidazole. 

Secnidazole

It is an antibiotic that can treat various vaginal infections. Your GP may prescribe you an oral dose of secnidazole to treat BV. The granules are taken as a single dose only once. 

Tinidazole

It is taken orally for 2 days or 5 days, depending on the potency your GP prescribes you.