Metronidazole (Flagyl)

What is Metronidazole (also called Flagyl) is an antibiotic. An antibiotic is a metronidazole? medicine that is used to treat or prevent infections caused by bacteria (germs).

Is it safe for my Do not use if your child has an allergy to metronidazole or any other part of child to take this this medicine. Tell your child’s healthcare provider or pharmacist if they are allergic to any medicines, food preservatives or dyes. medicine?

How do I give • This medicine comes in a liquid, capsule or tablet form. Your child’s metronidazole to healthcare provider will tell you how to give the medicine and how often. my child? • Your child needs to take the medicine until it is all gone or as directed by your healthcare provider, even if your child’s symptoms seem to be getting better or go away. The infection may come back if the medicine is stopped too soon. • Take with food or milk to avoid stomach upset. The extended release tablets should not be taken with food. They should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

For the liquid: • Shake the medicine well each time you give it to your child. • Measure using a marked measuring spoon, syringe or cup. • If the medicine is given through a feeding tube, be sure to flush the feeding tube before and after giving your child the medicine.

For capsules or • Do not crush, break or chew the extended release tablets. Ask your tablets: child’s healthcare provider or pharmacist for additional information on how to give the tablet or capsule form of metronidazole.

What do I do if my • Do not give your child an extra dose or 2 doses at the same time. child misses a dose? • Give the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is near the time when the next dose is due, wait to give your child the medicine on the regular schedule. Skip the missed dose. • Call your child’s healthcare provider if you have any questions on whether to give a dose of medicine.

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To Learn More Free Interpreter Services • Ocean Pharmacy • In the hospital, ask your nurse. 206-987-2138 • From outside the hospital, call the • Children’s Bellevue Pharmacy toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 206-884-9120 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need. • Ask your child’s healthcare provider • seattlechildrens.org

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

How do I store this Keep all medicine away from children and pets. medicine?

Storing liquid • Store the medicine at room temperature and throw it out when it metronidazole: expires. The expiration date is on the bottle.

Storing capsules and • Keep capsules and tablets at room temperature in a tightly closed tablets: container, away from direct light or moisture. Do not store in bathroom or kitchen.

How do I dispose • Visit the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) website, www.fda.gov, or of this medicine? takebackyourmeds.org for a list of pharmacies that take back unwanted medicines for disposal. • If no take-back program is available in your area, throw the drugs in the household trash, but first:

o Take them out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter.

o Put them in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent the medicine from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.

• For more information about how to dispose of medicine, refer to our Seattle Children’s handout called “How to Dispose of Unused Medicine” seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE784.pdf.

How do I keep my • Do not give your child any alcohol or products that have alcohol in them, child safe while like cold or cough medicines, or products that contain propylene glycol. Wait for at least 3 days after stopping metronidazole before having taking this alcohol, products with alcohol or propylene glycol. medicine? • Check with your child’s healthcare provider to make sure your child’s other medicines can be taken with metronidazole, especially if your child is on blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), disulfiram (Antabuse), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), busulfan (Busulfex, Myleran), phenobarbital (Donnatal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or cimetidine (Tagamet).

• If your child has liver, kidney, nerve (epilepsy), or blood disease, talk to their healthcare provider before using this medicine.

A special note for • If you are or are planning on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding, teens: contact a healthcare provider before taking this medicine. • If this medicine is treating a genital infection, your sexual partner must also receive treatment even if they don’t not have symptoms.

• Be careful driving a car or using heavy machinery. This medicine can cause dizziness and lightheadedness.

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What are some • Mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain possible side • Dizziness, lightheadedness effects of this • Dry mouth, metallic taste in the mouth medicine? • Not feeling hungry • May change urine to a reddish-brown color • Pain when urinating • Vaginal swelling, itching or discharge

When should I call You should call your child’s healthcare provider if they have any of these my child’s signs or symptoms: healthcare provider? • Skin rash, hives • Sore throat or fever • Joint pain • Tingling, pain, weakness in hands or feet • Seizures • Changes in vision • Stiff neck or back • Headache • Severe upset stomach or throwing up • Unable to think clearly • Call your child’s healthcare provider if they do not get better in a few days or if the symptoms worsen. • Call your child’s healthcare provider and dial 911 right away if your child has trouble breathing, fever, itching, chest or throat tightness, bad cough, or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue. • Call the local poison control center or dial 911 if you believe your child has taken a large amount of this medicine.

Source • Metronidazole. DrugNote. Thomson Micromedex. http:thomsonhc.com. Accessed 11 Jan 2021. • Metronidazole. Pediatric-Pals. Lexi-Comp Online. http://online.lexi.com/crlonline. Accessed 11 Jan 2021.

Seattle Children’s offers interpreter services for Deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speaking patients, family members and legal representatives free of charge. Seattle Children’s will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call the 2/21 Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children’s. However, your child’s PE830 needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon this information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider.

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