Metronidazole is a kind of nitroimidazole antimicrobial medication that treats various bacterial infections. However, using Metronidazole for yeast infections is ineffective because yeast overgrowth infections are caused by a fungus (candidiasis), not a bacteria. This article will teach you how Metronidazole is used and its side effects on users.
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Metronidazole For Yeast Infection
Metronidazole belongs to the class of antibiotics. It is only effective against bacterial infections. It works by killing the bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine is unsuitable for vaginal candidiasis (yeast overgrowth infection) and would not work.
Can Metronidazole Cause Yeast Infection?
Yes, yeast overgrowth infection can be caused by Metronidazole. Vaginal candidiasis was listed as one of the negative effects by almost 10% of women who used Metronidazole to treat bacterial infections. Metronidazole therapy results in yeast overgrowth infections because the antibiotic not only kills the bacterial vaginosis causing the bacterial infection but the healthy bacteria the body needs to defend itself against microbes.
Can Metronidazole Treat Yeast Infection?
Treating a yeast infection (candidiasis) with Metronidazole is not advised. In reality, metronidazole usage in some people might result in vaginal candidiasis. Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial and parasite illnesses rather than a yeast overgrowth infection.
How To Use Metronidazole for Yeast Infection?
Metronidazole treatment will have little or no effect on yeast overgrowth infection (candidiasis) or vaginal fungus because fungi cause vaginal candidiasis. An effective treatment for a skin or vaginal yeast infection caused by fungi is miconazole or fluconazole.
Pros and Cons of Metronidazole
While Metronidazole is effective in treating infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, it has drawbacks. The following are some pros and cons of Metronidazole.
Pros of Metronidazole
- It is relatively cheap and easy to afford.
- It comes in different formulations like oral, intravaginal, intravenous, and topical.
- Mild side effects.
- It treats a variety of bacterial infections effectively.
- Oral medication of Metronidazole can be taken with or without food.
- Easily absorbed in body tissues and fluids.
Cons of Metronidazole
Harmful effects on the neurological system and digestive tract: Adverse effects from a single dose of Metronidazole may cause gastrointestinal symptoms. The adverse effect of long-term use may cause neurological damage or convulsive seizures.
It can cause side effects or allergies like nausea, metallic mouth taste, headache, stomach pain, etc., to some people.
Contraindications include increased bleeding risks in people on a blood thinner medication like warfarin.
It can result in extensive metabolism in the drug-metabolizing enzyme system of the liver.
What Are The Side Effects of Metronidazole (Vaginal)
Vaginal Metronidazole is a gel used to treat bacterial infections of the vagina, such as bacteria vaginosis.
Metronidazole vaginal gel side effects might occur when medication does more than treat the intended problem. The most common vaginal metronidazole side effects differ depending on the patient’s overall health, condition stage, age, weight, and gender. They may range from minor to severe.
Below is a list of side effects of using Vaginal Metronidazole:
- Vagina itching
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Thick or white vaginal discharge
- Redness and pain in the vagina
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Mild loss of appetite
- Skin irritation
- Nausea
- Mouth dryness
- Dizziness
- Heavy bleeding
- Vomiting
- Scorching or discomfort of the sexual partner’s penis
- Frequent urination
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Metallic taste feel in the mouth
- Skin redness
- Vaginal Candidiasis
You must consult your doctor if you experience these symptoms while using Metronidazole vaginal gel.
Interactions Between Metronidazole (Vaginal) and Other Medications
According to a study from eHealth, drug interactions could alter how your medications function or raise the possibility of significant adverse side effects. Drug interactions with metronidazole vaginal gel are severe with amprenavir and disulfiram.
You should avoid using this drug if you’ve recently used amprenavir or disulfiram. Note that taking products containing alcohol or propylene glycol while using this medication may cause drug-drug interactions. If you take them, wait for at least 24 hours after stopping this medication.
How Much Does Metronidazole (Vaginal) Cost?
The cost of Metronidazole can vary considerably depending on your treatment plan, insurance coverage, and the pharmacy from which you’re buying. A 70-gram 0.75% metro vaginal gel with applicators costs between $36 and $295 at a regular pharmaceutical retail outlet.
Common Side Effects of Oral Metronidazole
The most common side effects of oral metronidazole tablets include nausea and diarrhea.
Other side effects are:
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Red or brown-colored urine
- Mouth dryness
- Skin rashes
- Inflammation of the oral cavity
Common Side Effects of Topical And Vaginal Metronidazole
Topical Metronidazole is an antibiotic gel used on the skin to treat a kind of adult acne known as rosacea. Vaginal Metronidazole, on the other hand, is an antibiotic gel used to treat BV and other bacterial infections in the vagina.
Common side effects of topical and vaginal Metronidazole include:
For topical metronidazole
- Skin irritation
- Nausea
- Itching
- Metallic taste in the mouth
For vaginal metronidazole
- Skin irritation
- Nausea
- Itching
- Thick or white vaginal discharge
- Vaginal candidiasis
- Headache
Possible vaginal candidiasis: Vaginal Metronidazole works by killing the bacteria in the vagina. However, it also kills beneficial bacteria in the vaginal flora that helps to keep microbes in check, resulting in a yeast overgrowth infection.
About 10% of women report vaginal candidiasis as a side effect of vaginal metronidazole treatment.
According to the National Library of Medicine, fluconazole medication can effectively treat candidiasis symptoms.
How Long Do Metronidazole Side Effects Last?
Side effects of Metronidazole don’t last very long. The side effects start almost immediately after taking the tablets and could last up to 45 minutes. Sometimes, it could last up to several hours or longer, depending on the side effect you experience.
Since we are all different and our bodies react to drugs differently, the length of time you experience side effects will vary.
However, if the side effects remain or you notice severe side effects, you should talk to a doctor.
Metronidazole Contraindications and Warnings
Metronidazole has proven to have carcinogenic effects in mice and rats. So, you should avoid unnecessary use of the drug. It should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.
Breastfeeding mothers: Nursing mothers should not take Metronidazole since it may pass into the milk. The baby may get diarrhea or oral thrush if Metronidazole is present in the breast milk.
When taking Metronidazole, mothers should consider pumping and preserving their milk for the duration of the treatment.
Alcohol: When taking Metronidazole, people should not take alcohol or any food product that contains alcohol, like cake or bread.
This combination results in severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and other sickness-related symptoms.
Effects on the peripheral & central nervous systems: Metronidazole has been linked to cases of encephalopathy, peripheral neuropathy, convulsive seizures, and aseptic meningitis.
Stop medications immediately if symptoms of these side effects appear when taking Metronidazole.
Risks of hepatotoxicity: According to a 2016 Health Report, Metronidazole induces toxicity in liver abscess patients. Patients diagnosed with hepatic failure or impaired liver should avoid taking Metronidazole.
This is because the metabolism of Metronidazole in these patients occurs very slowly, and it builds up in the plasma.
How To Avoid Metronidazole Side Effects
You can avoid the side effects of Metronidazole if you discuss it with your doctor before treatment and follow their prescription strictly. They can be uncomfortable, but you can always find a way to prevent or reduce these side effects and make treatment more tolerable.
Some precautions to take when using Metronidazole include:
- Take Metronidazole as directed by the physician.
- Avoid alcohol or food products containing alcohol.
- For treatment of trichomoniasis (STI), avoid sexual intercourse.
- Take a probiotic.
- Complete your metronidazole dosage.
- Ensure to take oral metronidazole medications with food.
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dosage of this medication, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missing dose and resume your regular dosing plan. Do not attempt to take double doses at once.
What Happens If I Overdose?
A single oral dose of up to 10-15 grams can be lethal. If you overdosed on Metronidazole, seek immediate medical attention.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and loss of balance or coordination.
What Should I Avoid While Using Vaginal Metronidazole?
Alcohol should be avoided while using vaginal Metronidazole due to side effects like headaches, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
Also, you should avoid food or products containing alcohol or propylene glycol as it may react negatively with them.
What Other Drugs Would Affect Vaginal Metronidazole?
Some drugs react negatively with Metronidazole vaginal and should not be taken together. These include; amprenavir, black cohosh, disulfiram, ethanol, lithium, ritonavir, and tipranavir.
You should not use vaginal Metronidazole if you’ve taken any of these drugs within the last two weeks. If these medicines are brought close together, serious unwanted effects may occur.
What Should I Discuss With My Medical Expert Before Using Vaginal Metronidazole?
Before using metronidazole gel, you should discuss a few things with your healthcare provider or physician.
Tell them:
- If you have known allergies to Metronidazole, secnidazole, or tinidazole.
- If you are allergic to parabens or polyethylene glycol.
- If you recently drank alcohol or have a hard time staying away from alcohol for a couple of days.
- If you took disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 14 days.
- If you’ve ever had nerve problems or seizures.
- If you are pregnant. It is yet unknown whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Since candidiasis is caused by fungal growth, the most effective remedy is antifungal treatment or medications like fluconazole. Fluconazole is effective against fungal and candidiasis.
Vagisil is not used to cure yeast overgrowth infections. It only helps temporarily relieve candidiasis symptoms like vulva itchiness and irritation. The active ingredient in Vagisil is lidocaine.
It provides relief of discomfort brought on by mild itchiness and irritation of the area just outside the vagina or anus.
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to cure various bacteria and parasitic infections.
Yes! Metronidazole can make candidiasis worse. This is because Metronidazole kills harmful bacteria causing infections and useful ones needed to protect the body from microbes.
Candidiasis caused by Metronidazole can be prevented by taking probiotics. Probiotics can help supplement the intestines with good bacteria.
These good bacteria that keep microbes in check may have been damaged by using an antibiotic. However, it is essential not to take Metronidazole and probiotic doses together but separately by at least two hours.
Fungi cause yeast infections, whereas Metronidazole is an antibiotic that cures bacteria and parasite infections. Therefore, you should stop the metronidazole medication and switch to a fungal medication like fluconazole to effectively cure the condition.
Monistat is a treatment specifically for curing yeast infections. However, taking Monistat to relieve symptoms of bacterial vaginosis like itching will be ineffective because bacteria cause bacterial vaginosis. Therefore, oral Metronidazole is usually preferred for bacterial vaginosis instead of vaginal treatment.
Oral, topical, or vaginal Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial infections. Metronidazole is an antibiotic that kills bacteria or prevents their growth. Therefore, stop using Metronidazole for yeast infection and switch to a fungal medication that works.
Ready To Seek Professional Help?
Yeast, bacterial vaginosis, and fungal or bacterial infections can get severe if you do not use the proper medications. Seeing a doctor keeps you away from further damage to you. Fortunately, you actually don’t have to wait in line to visit a doctor for your health care.
DrAlexa provides an easy, quick, and private online telemedicine service. We will diagnose your illness and deliver the appropriate prescription to your doorstep. Plus, our services are very affordable.
Don’t hesitate. Contact DrAlexa as soon as possible.
