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Generic Name: metronidazole (me troe NI da zole)
Brand Names: Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl ER, Protostat

What is Protostat (metronidazole)?

Metronidazole is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in your body.

Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial infections of the vagina, stomach, skin, joints, and respiratory tract. This medication will not treat a vaginal yeast infection.

Metronidazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Protostat (metronidazole)?

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Metronidazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking metronidazole and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Protostat (metronidazole)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to metronidazole, or if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Before taking metronidazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;

• a stomach or intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease;

• a blood cell disorder such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or leukopenia (lack of white blood cells);

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• nerve disorders.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use metronidazole, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Metronidazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Protostat (metronidazole)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take the extended-release form of metronidazole (Flagyl ER) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal. Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Metronidazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using metronidazole.

Store metronidazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a metronidazole overdose may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, numbness and tingling, or seizures (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Protostat (metronidazole)?

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking metronidazole and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.

Check the labels of any medicines or food products you use to make sure they do not contain alcohol.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Protostat (metronidazole) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• seizures (convulsions);

• fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, flu symptoms;

• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• pain or burning when you urinate; or

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Keep taking metronidazole and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea;

• headache, dizziness, loss of balance;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• dry mouth or unpleasant metallic taste;

• cough, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; or

• swollen or sore tongue.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Protostat (metronidazole)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);

• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); or

• disulfiram (Antabuse).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use metronidazole or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect metronidazole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about metronidazole written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Metronidazole is available with a prescription under the brand names Flagyl and Protostat. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Flagyl 250 mg--blue tablets

• Flagyl 375 mg--light-green/grey capsules

• Flagyl 500 mg--oblong, blue tablets

• Flagyl ER 750 mg--oval, blue film-coated tablets

• Protostat 250 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets

• Protostat 500 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision Date: 1/12/07 11:42:52 AM.