Metronidazole

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Metronidazol is an antibiotic.[1][2] Metronidazol has a wide range of infections it can be used to treat.[3][2]

Theory[edit | edit source]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

No clinical trials of metronidazole have been done for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Metronidazole is FDA-approved for:

  • protozoal infections such as Trichomoniasis vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, blastocysts, and Balantidium coli.
  • anaerobic bacterial infections caused by Bacteroides species, Fusobacterium species, Clostridium species, Gardnerella vaginalis, Helicobacter pylori, Prevotella species, Porphyromonas species, and Biophilia Wadsworth.[3]

Metronidazole is FDA-approved and widely used to treat a broad range of infections including intestinal amebiases, liver amebiasis, bacterial septicemia, bone and joint infections, central nervous system infections (e.g., meningitis and brain abscess), endocarditis, gynecologic infections (e.g., endometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, bacterial vaginosis), intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin structure infections, and as a preventative drug before colorectal surgery.[3]

In a study comparing rifaximin to metronidazole, the overall prevalence of adverse events was significantly lower in the rifaximin group than the metronidazole group. Rifaximin showed a higher SIBO decontamination rate than metronidazole. But neither of the drugs seemed to represent a good choice for the management of patients affected by SIBO.[4]

Clinicians[edit | edit source]

Risks and safety[edit | edit source]

Cost and availability[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Metronidazole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings". Drugs.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "How and when to take or use metronidazole". National Health Service. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Weir, Connor B.; Le, Jacqueline K. (2023). Metronidazole. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30969550.
  4. Lauritano, E. C.; Gabrielli, M.; Scarpellini, E.; Ojetti, V.; Roccarina, D.; Villita, A.; Fiore, E.; Flore, R.; Santoliquido, A.; Tondi, P.; Gasbarrini, G. (2009). "Antibiotic therapy in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: rifaximin versus metronidazole". European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 13 (2): 111–116. ISSN 1128-3602. PMID 19499846.