
metronidazole
Topical metronidazole is a prescription nitroimidazole antibiotic used to treat the red, inflamed bumps and pimples caused by rosacea. It comes as a gel, cream, and lotion. The medication is typically applied to affected areas of your face once or twice a day. Side effects aren't common, but can include skin irritation and dryness.
What is Topical metronidazole?
What is Topical metronidazole used for?
How Topical metronidazole works
Topical metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. It isn't fully understood how it treats rosacea, but it's thought to reduce inflammation in the skin. This helps improve the red, inflamed bumps and pimples caused by rosacea.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Metrogel |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Nitroimidazole antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Topical metronidazole
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Metronidazole gel:
- Dryness (25%)
- Scaling (25%)
- Itching (16%)
- Stinging/burning (10%)
Metronidazole cream:
- Stinging/burning
- Redness
- Skin irritation
- Itching
Metronidazole lotion:
- Redness (6%)
- Allergic reaction (3%)
- Skin irritation (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
Metronidazole gel:
- Common cold symptoms
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Dry skin
- Back pain
Metronidazole cream:
- Metallic taste
- Tinging or numbness in the arms and legs
- Nausea
Metronidazole lotion:
- Itching
- Stinging/burning
The following Topical metronidazole side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
redness or other signs of skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
stinging or burning of the skin
watering of eyes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Topical metronidazole
Pros
- Applied directly to the affected areas
- Has fewer side effects than oral pills
- Available as a gel, cream, and lotion
Cons
- Can cause skin dryness or irritation
- Might take about 3-4 weeks to see some improvement
- Doesn't cure rosacea
Pharmacist tips for Topical metronidazole
- Topical metronidazole is only for use on your skin. Don't get it in your eyes, mouth, or vagina. There is a separate product for metronidazole vaginal gel used to treat bacterial vaginosis (BV).
- Use Topical metronidazole regularly, even if your rosacea doesn’t improve right away. It can take several weeks for red bumps and pimples to get better.
- While using Topical metronidazole, try to avoid triggers that can worsen rosacea, such as alcohol, hot drinks, and spicy foods.
- Tell your prescriber if Topical metronidazole causes bothersome burning, redness, itching, or irritation. You might need to use the medication less often or stop treatment.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all medications you take while using Topical metronidazole. Even though only a small amount is absorbed through your skin, it might interact with certain medications, such as the blood thinner warfarin.
- Pregnancy: It isn't known whether Topical metronidazole can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your prescriber before using it if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- Breastfeeding: Don't breastfeed while using Topical metronidazole. Talk to your prescriber about the safest way to feed your baby during treatment.
- Storage: Keep Topical metronidazole at room temperature.
How to use Topical metronidazole
- Before applying the medication, gently wash the affected skin and pat it dry.
- Apply a thin layer to the affected areas. Keep the medication away from your eyes to prevent burning and irritation.
- Let the medication dry completely, then wait at least 5 minutes before applying makeup, sunscreen, or moisturizer.
Risks and warnings for Topical metronidazole
Topical metronidazole can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Nerve problems
- Risk factors: Oral or injectable metronidazole | Condition that affects your brain or nervous system
Topical metronidazole can rarely cause nerve problems, such as peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, burning, or unusual sensations in your hands, arms, feet, or legs. Although it's more common with other forms of metronidazole, it has been seen with Topical metronidazole. Contact your prescriber right away if you develop new or worsening nerve symptoms so they can decide if you should continue treatment.
Blood cell problems
Topical metronidazole should be used with caution if you have a blood condition. Tell your prescriber about any history of blood cell problems before starting treatment.
Skin reactions
Topical metronidazole can cause skin irritation or an allergic skin reaction where it's applied. Symptoms can include redness, itching, burning, swelling, or a rash. Contact your prescriber if you develop a bothersome skin reaction, since you might need to stop using the medication.
Eye irritation
Topical metronidazole can cause your eyes to water or become irritated. Avoid applying the medication in or near your eyes. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water.
Topical metronidazole dosage
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55g of 1% | 1 pump | $34.06 | $34.06 |
Interactions between Topical metronidazole and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amprenavir
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Disulfiram
- Dronabinol
- Dronedarone
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfuzosin
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Atazanavir
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buserelin
- Busulfan
- Capecitabine
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabrafenib
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Doxifluridine
- Droperidol
- Ebastine
- Efavirenz
- Entrectinib
- Eribulin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Famotidine
- Felbamate
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fluorouracil
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fosphenytoin
- Fostemsavir
- Galantamine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Itraconazole
- Ivabradine
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mebendazole
- Mefloquine
- Methadone
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Mizolastine
- Moxifloxacin
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Nafarelin
- Nelfinavir
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olanzapine
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Papaverine Hydrochloride
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentamidine
- Perphenazine
- Pimavanserin
- Pipamperone
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Ribociclib
- Risperidone
- Ritonavir
- Selpercatinib
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tamoxifen
- Tegafur
- Telaprevir
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tolterodine
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Vorinostat
- Warfarin
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Carbamazepine
- Cyclosporine
- Lithium
- Milk Thistle
How much does Topical metronidazole cost?
$22.07
What are alternatives to Topical metronidazole?
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