Metronidazole is an antibiotic and antiparasitic (protozoal) medicine that can be used to treat a variety of infections such as:
- Bacterial infections of the skin, stomach, joints, respiratory tracts and gynecological (private) areas
- Protozoal (parasitic) infections like giardiasis (beaver fever) , Trichomonas (trich) and Amebiasis (amebic dysentery)
- Dental infections like gum infections or abscesses
- Colon infections such as clostridium difficile
Metronidazole starts to work and shows symptom relief within the first 1-3 days of taking it but the full effects of driving the infection out of the body can take anywhere between 5 days to one week depending on the offending organism.
You can buy Metronidazole online easily, conveniently and reliably from Meds for Less and have it delivered to your home address within 24 hours.
What Is Metronidazole?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication used to treat a variety of infections caused by bacteria and parasites. It is commonly prescribed for conditions such as:
- Bacterial infections of the skin, stomach, joints, respiratory tract and gynaecological areas
- Protozoal infections like giardiasis, trichomoniasis and amebiasis
- Dental infections like gum infections and abscess
- Infections of the colon such as Clostridium Difficile.
Metronidazole is available in various forms include:
- Oral tablets or capsules
- Topical creams or gels
- Vaginal gels
You can purchase Metronidazole online from Meds For Less and have it delivered to your home address in the next 24 hours.
How Does Metronidazole Work?
Metronidazole works by disrupting the DNA of the bacteria and the protozoa, ultimately killing them and stopping the infection. A detailed overview of Metronidazole’s mechanism of action is as follows:
- After Metronidazole is taken by the patient, it enters the body of the protozoa or bacteria
- It is inside in the low-oxygen (anaerobic) environment of the bacterial cell where it is converted to its active form by bacterial or protozoal enzymes
- The activated form of Metronidazole interacts with the DNA of the affected micro-organism and causes strand breakage and damage. This prevents DNA replication and protein synthesis, eventually leading to cell death.
All the while that Metronidazole exerts its actions on bacterial or protozoal cells, it does not affect human cells so it does not harm human DNA. However prolonged use can cause some side effects like gut issues or very rarely, neural issues.
Typical Timeframe for Metronidazole to Take Effect:
You may be enquiring after the typical timeframe it takes for Metronidazole to work, including asking questions such as “metronidazole when does it start working” or “Metronidazole how long to see results”.
In this answer we hope to provide you with a brief guide and overview as to how Metronidazole works and the time it takes to show its effects.
The typical timeframe for Metronidazole to work depends on the type of infection being treated and the method of administration (picture 1) , however most people begin to notice improvement within 1 to 3 days of starting the medicine.
Some general timeframes for common infections include:
- Bacterial Vaginosis – Improvement typically occurs in 2-3 days but the full medicine course of 7 days should be completed
- Trichomoniasis: Symptoms may start to improve in 1 to 2 days but the full effect may take a week
- Giardiasis (intestinal parasite infection) , symptoms take 2-4 days to improve but the full 7 days of medication course must be completed
- Dental infection and gum abscess: Pain and swelling start to decrease in 48 hours
- Skin infections and wounds; Improvement can be seen in 2-5 days but deep infections take longer.
Factors That Influence Metronidazole’s Effectiveness
Factors that influence how effective Metronidazole is include:
- Severity of infections: more severe infections take longer to resolve and are more complicated
- Form of medication: Intravenous (IV) medication works better than oral or cream forms
- Individual response: Some people just respond more effectively to medications than others
- Completing the full course, even if symptoms improve early, stopping the full course can lead to reinfection or antibiotic resistance.
Symptoms Improvement: What to Expect
While Taking Metronidazole, symptoms typically start improving within a few days, however the timeline and what to expect depends on the type of infection being treated: Here is a general guide:
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Within the first 1-2 days there is a decrease in vaginal discharge and odour
- Within 3-5, itching and irritation improve
- By the end of treatment (7 days), most symptoms have resolved
- Trichomoniasis (STD)
- Within 1-2 days, less vaginal or penile discharge and itching
- By the end of treatment (5-7 days), symptoms should be gone but fatigue may linger
- Dental infections and abscesses
- Pain and swelling begin to reduce within 24-48 hours
- By day 5 there is significant improvement, full healing may take longer
- Skin and Wound infection:
- First 2-3 days, there is less redness, swelling and pain
- By days 5-7 there is noticeable healing
If after taking Metronidazole your symptoms aren’t improving within 3-5 days, or they worsen, then please see a doctor as soon possible.
Metronidazole for Different Infections: Time to Work
What If Metronidazole Doesn’t Work?
If Metronidazole does not seem to be working, consider the following possibilities and next steps:
- There has been insufficient time for effect:
- Metronidazole typically begins working within 1-3 days but full recovery may take 5-10 days depending on the infection.
- If symptoms persist but are gradually improving, continue the full course as prescribed
- Antibiotic resistance – Some bacteria and parasites may develop resistance to metronidazole making the medicine less effective. If symptoms do not improve after 5 days or worsen, please consult a doctor.
- Incorrect diagnosis – the infection you are suffering from may be caused by a different virus, bacteria or parasite. One that does not respond to Metronidazole.
- Incomplete treatment – stopping metronidazole treatment too quickly can lead to a relapse or resistance. Always complete the full prescribed course, even if symptoms improve early .
- Drug interactions – certain drugs (such as Warfarin, alcohol or seizure medicines) may interfere with Metronidazole’s effectiveness. Always inform your doctor about your drug history to ensure there are no such undesirable drug interactions.
It may be beneficial to consult your doctor in the following circumstances:
- If your symptoms do not improve within 5 days or worsen
- If applicable, sexual partners should be treated to prevent infection
- Conditions like gut imbalance or immune issues can also contribute to persistent infections.
Tips for Taking Metronidazole Effectively
To take the best results and minimise side effects from Metronidazole, follow these tips:
1. Take as prescribed
- Follow the doctor’s instructions, complete the full course even if you feel better.
- Take at the same time daily to maintain a consistent level in your body.
- Do not skip doses as skipping doses can lead to antibiotic resistance.
2. Avoid alcohol
- Do not drink alcohol while taking Metronidazole and for at least 48 hours after taking the last dose, Mixing Metronidazole with alcohol can cause severe nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.
3. Take with or without food
- Taking with food can help reduce effects like nausea and vomiting. However if you don’t tend to get nausea, you can take it on an empty stomach.
4. Be cautious of drug interactions
- Give your healthcare provider a full and comprehensive drug history to prevent any unwanted drug interactions.
5. Avoid sexual activity for certain infections
- If you are being treated for trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis, avoid sex until you or your partners have completed treatment to prevent infection.
Possible Side Effects and When to Seek Help
Like all medications, Metronidazole can cause side effects but most are mild and temporary, however some rare ones can require medical attention:
Common side effects (usually mild and temporary, resolving on their own):
- Nausea or Vomiting – taking medicine with food can help reduce this
- Metallic taste in the mouth – sucking on sugar free candies or chewing gum can help this
- Loss of appetite – eating smaller meals may help this
- Dizziness or Headaches – stay hydrated and avoid sudden movements
- Dark Urine which is harmless and temporary
Rarer but more serious side effects:
- Severe stomach pain, diarrhoea or blood stools- signs of a more serious infection
- Numbness or tingling or weakness in the hands/feet – signs of nerve damage
- Severe headaches, vision changes or confusion – signs of neurological reaction
If these rare but more serious side effects occur, you should stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor
Very rare but emergency side effects:
If these occur, you should immediately stop taking the medicine and seek medical aid:
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxsis) such as rash, itching/swelling (of the face, tongue or throat)
- Severe dizziness or trouble breathing
- Seizures or severe confusion
- Liver problems can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and fatigue
You should contact your doctor under the following circumstances:
- Symptoms do not improve after 5 days
- Side effects become severe or unbearable
- Serious or emergent side effects occur
- You accidentally miss a dose or take too much.
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