Metronidazole (RX) : Dosing & Uses
Metronidazole (RX) : Dosing & Uses
metronidazole (Rx)
Brand and Other Names: Flagyl, Flagyl ER, Flagyl IV RTU
Classes: Antibiotics, Other
375mg
tablet
250mg
500mg
tablet, extended-release
750mg
infusion solution
500mg/100mL
Maintenance dose: 7.5 mg/kg PO/IV (over 1 h) q6hr x 7-10 days (or 2-3 weeks if severe)
2 g PO as a single dose; 3-drug regimen that also includes ceftriaxone or cefixime, PLUS
azithromycin or doxycycline (CDC STD guidelines, 2010)
Bacterial Vaginosis
Nonpregnant women
Pregnant women
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15 mg/kg IV over 30-60 min; complete approximately 1 hr before surgery; may administer 7.5
mg/kg IV over 30-60 min at 6 and 12 hr after initial dose for maintenance; discontinue within 12 hr
after surgery
Trichomoniasis
Amebiasis
500-750 mg PO q8hr for 5-10 days
Giardiasis (Off-label)
Gardnerella Infection
250-500 mg PO QID in combination with tetracycline (500 mg) and bismuth subsalicylate (525 mg)
x 14 days
2 g PO qDay single dose with erythromycin (500 mg QID) or erythromycin ethylsuccinate (800 mg
QID) x 7 days
Dosing Considerations
Hepatic failure
Mild to moderate hapatic impairment (Child-Pugh A or B): No dosage adjustment needed but
patients should be monitored for metronidazole associated adverse events
Severe hepatic impairment: Reduce dose of by 50%
Renal failure
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Mild to moderate renal impairment: Dose adjustment not considered necessary as elimination
half-life not significantly altered
Severe renal impairment or end stage of renal disease: Metronidazole and metronidazole
metabolites may accumulate significantly because of reduced urinary excretion; monitor in
severe renal impairment or end stage of renal disease, not undergoing hemodialysis
Hemodialysis removes significant amounts of metronidazole and its metabolites from
systemic circulation; supplementation may be necessary
Peritoneal dialysis: Monitor for signs of toxicity due to potential accumulation of
metronidazole metabolites
Pouchitis (Orphan)
Orphan indication sponsor
capsule
375mg
tablet
250mg
500mg
tablet, extended-release
750mg
infusion solution
500mg/100mL
<1.2 kg
<7 days
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>7 days
Amebiasis
Giardiasis
15 mg/kg/day IV/PO divided q8hr for 5 days
Trichomoniasis
< 45 kg body weight: 15 mg/kg/day IV/PO divided q8hr for 7 days; not to exceed 2 g/day
With amoxicillin and bismuth subsalicylate: 15-20 mg/kg/day PO divided q12hr for 4 weeks
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