Metronidazole(Flagyl) - Mechanism Of Action, Indications, Adverse Effects & Contraindications

metronidazole commonly known as flagel is a five nitro imidazole that targets the dna synthesis in bacteria and other organisms such as protozoans when administered metronidazole is reduced to form its highly reactive nitro free radical by the enzyme ferridoxin this leads to dna damage and fragmentation and ultimately death of the organisms ferridoxin is found in anaerobic bacteria and protozoans and it is not found in humans and aerobic bacteria so it is non-toxic to humans and effective against anaerobic bacteria and protozoans metronidazole is taken per orally but it is also available in iv form and as a topical agent metronidazole penetrates well into body tissues and fluids including vaginal secretions seminal fluid saliva breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid however it does not cross the placenta this medication can treat many anaerobic bacterial infections like clostridium difficile which causes pseudomembranous enterocolitis it is also commonly used against helicobacter pylori which causes gastritis and peptic ulcers however it should be used with other antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor as a part of the triple therapy lactobacillus that causes bacterial vaginosis can also be treated with metronidazole for the protozoan infections it is the medication of choice for amabiasis and it is used in the treatment of geodesis moreover metronidazole is also very effective against trichomonas vaginalis which causes vaginosis metronidazole is metabolized in the liver and it is an inhibitor of the cytochrome p450 enzymes so it slows down the metabolism of other medications such as warfarin for the adverse effects metronidazole can cause loss of appetite nausea metallic taste headaches and abdominal cramps at higher doses or with chronic treatment it can cause seizures and confusion and peripheral neuropathy metronidazole is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy and finally it can cause a disulfrom-like reaction this is when the person is taking the medication while on alcohol he suddenly experiences symptoms like severe nausea vomiting and headache