Generic Flagyl (Metronidazole) Over the Counter

What is metronidazole?

Metronidazole (the active ingredient of the drug) is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication with a wide spectrum of action. The drug is highly active against Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Lamblia intestinalis, as well as against obligate anaerobes (spore-and non-spore-forming) – Bacteroides spp. (B.fragilis, B.ovatus, B.distasonis, B.thetaiotaomicron, B.vulgatus), Fusobacterium spp., Clostridium spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Peptococcus spp., Sensitive strains of Eubacterium.

Aerobic microorganisms and facultative anaerobes are not sensitive to metronidazole.

The drug can be taken regardless of meals. It has a high digestibility and absorption by the body and begins to act within the first hour after administration. It has the property of penetrating into all body tissues, fluids and water (including breast milk).

How much is Flagyl?

Pharmacies set different prices for this drug. Today, finding the best price offer is not difficult. You can check prices online and choose the best option. Your local pharmacies usually sell very expensive brand-name versions of metronidazole. But you can order cheaper Generic Flagyl from an online pharmacy. Besides, online stores sell some antibiotics without a prescription. For example, here you can buy this drug for only $0.42 per pill. You can hardly find better price offer on the net.

Can you buy Flagyl over the counter?

Your local pharmacy will ask you to show a prescription for this medicine. However, some online pharmacies offer to buy Flagyl online over the counter. Besides, online pharmacies usually sell cheaper generic meds, which means you can save a considerable amount. You can be calm when buying antibiotics online provide you use the services of a trusted and well-known pharmacy. You can check the company’s reputation with the of help of online reviews posted by people who have already bought medicines from the drugstore. However, before you buy any antibiotic over the counter, you should see your doctor and discuss treatment options because self-medication can be dangerous. It is important to be treated with the correct antibiotic.

What is Flagyl used for?

• Protozoal infections: extraintestinal amoebiasis, including amoebic liver abscess, intestinal amebiasis (amoebic dysentery), trichomoniasis, balantidiasis, giardiasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, trichomonas vaginitis, trichomonas urethritis;
• Infections caused by Bacteroides spp. (including Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides distasonis, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides vulgatus): infections of bones and joints, infections of the central nervous system, including meningitis, brain abscess, bacterial endocarditis, pneumonia, empyema and lung abscess, sepsis;
• Infections caused by the species Clostridium spp., Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus: infections of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis, liver abscess), infections of the pelvic organs (endometritis, abscess of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, infections of the vaginal vault);
• Pseudomembranous colitis (associated with the use of antibiotics);
• Gastritis or duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori (complex therapy);
• Prevention of postoperative complications (especially interventions on the colon, pararectal region, appendectomy, gynecological surgery).

Flagyl for diarrhea

Diarrhea is not a disease but a symptom that indicates the presence of some pathological changes in the intestines due to various reasons. Depending on the nature of the disease accompanied by diarrhea, different medications are prescribed. In case diarrhea is caused by an infectious lesion of the intestine, a metronidazole antibiotic is the most effective medicine for diarrhea.

The drug is used to treat the following diseases:

• Helicobacter pylori ulcers caused by bacteria;
• Infectious diseases with anaerobic microflora;
• Giardiasis, amoebiasis, trichomoniasis;
• Teeth diseases and many others.

To prescribe metronidazole for diarrhea, feces are examined for the presence of bacteria sensitive to the effects of metronidazole. For the treatment of diarrhea caused by other causes, or viruses, bacteria, insensitive to metronidazole, the use of this drug is useless.

Given the selective activity of the drug, metronidazole is not suitable for the rapid elimination of diarrhea, if its cause is unknown. The course of treatment is 7-12 days, depending on the physical condition and severity of the disease. With diarrhea, metronidazole can be combined with antibiotics and sulfonamides. process.

Flagyl for cats

Metronidazole for cats is used according to the diagnosis and severity of the disease. Basically, vet doctors prescribe the dosage from 8 to 10 mg per kilogram of pet every 12 hours. The drug is mixed with food or administered by force (intramuscularly, etc.).

In veterinary medicine, it is recommended to use the medication for the following pathologies:

• Diarrhea;
• Dysentery;
• Trichomoniasis;
• Anaerobic infections that occurred after the cat had kittens;
• Malignant edema;
• Gingivitis;
• Aphthous stomatitis;
• Necrotic mastitis;
• Necrobacteriosis;
• Enterotoxemia.

Veterinarians in most cases prescribe this antibiotic to treat various diseases. The medication is well tolerated by all cats, does not have a negative effect on the animal’s body. In some situations, anti-worm therapy is additionally carried out and a daily diet is changed.

Particular attention should be paid to contraindications for Flagyl. There are several important factors that preclude any use of metronidazole for cats: pregnancy, lactation period, liver pathologies, intolerance to active substances.

Remember that the dosage should be prescribed only by a doctor!

Side effects

Flagyl is usually tolerated well but in rare cases, it can cause the following side effects:

• gastrointestinal tract: nausea, metallic taste in the mouth, dry mouth, decreased appetite, glossitis, stomatitis, pancreatitis, anorexia, epigastric pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
• nervous system: headache, dizziness, impaired coordination of movements, ataxia, confusion, irritability, depression, irritability, weakness, insomnia, convulsions, confusion, hallucinations, peripheral neuropathy (especially with prolonged use);
• allergic reactions: urticaria, skin rash, skin flushing, nasal congestion, fever, arthralgia;
• urinary system: dysuria, polyuria, cystitis, urinary incontinence, candidiasis, it is possible to stain the urine in a brownish-red color;
• other: neutropenia, leukopenia, flattening of the T wave on the ECG.

Contraindications

Do not use metronidazole antibiotics if you have any of the following conditions:

• organic lesions of the central nervous system;
• blood diseases, including a history of leukopenia;
• liver failure (in the case of using high doses of the drug);
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding;
• children under 6 years;
• hypersensitivity to imidazoles.

Dosage and administration

Flagyl tablets are taken orally.

Doses and duration of treatment are determined by the doctor, based on the course of the disease, patient tolerance to the drug, and additional drugs that the patient takes.

Amoebiasis is usually treated for a week by taking metronidazole 500 mg three times a day. For children, the dose is calculated based on body weight (daily dose is 30-40 mg per kilogram of body weight). The same dose is taken three times a day.

Giardiasis requires a double dose of the drug – 375-500 mg for 5 days. “Children’s” (over 10 years) dose is 250 mg.

Trichomoniasis (vaginitis or urethritis) is treated in “children’s” doses with the same frequency of administration for 10 days. At the same time, metronidazole is introduced into the vagina with simultaneous treatment of the partner.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Data on the effect of Flagyl on the course of pregnancy has not been clarified to the end. Therefore, it is recommended to prescribe the drug carefully with regular and careful monitoring of the condition of the mother and fetus. If there is a safer and more studied alternative to this antibiotic, you’d better use it.

The drug penetrates into the amniotic fluid and breast milk, therefore, it is recommended either to refrain from breastfeeding during the treatment period or to stop breastfeeding

What happens if you take too much Flagyl?

If you take excessive doses of this antibiotic, you can experience the symptoms of an overdose: urge to vomit, lack of appetite, cramps.

Overdose treatment: emergency gastric lavage, intake of enterosorbents. There is no special antidote; active molecules are eliminated from the body by hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis is useless.

Metronidazole and alcohol

This antibiotic is poorly compatible with alcohol. When combined with alcohol, it gives side effects: dizziness, vomiting, face flushing, headaches, shortness of breath and chest pain.

However, this point of view was called into question after an analysis of pharmacological studies in 2003. In addition, an experiment was put on a small control group of Finnish men, during which they drank alcohol with metronidazole for five days without any unpleasant consequences.

However, the authors of this study admit that the likelihood of adverse effects cannot be completely ruled out, and now doctors still do not recommend combining Flagyl and alcohol.

Drug interactions

Avoid taking metronidazole with:

• indirect anticoagulants;
• disulfiram;
• cimetidine;
• drugs stimulating microsomal oxidation enzymes in the liver (phenobarbital, phenytoin);
• lithium preparations;
• non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (vecuronium bromide);
• sulfonamides.

Warnings and precautions

Long-term administration of the drug is preferably carried out under the control of a blood formula. With leukopenia, the possibility of continuing treatment depends on the risk of developing an infectious process.

In the treatment of trichomonas vaginitis in women and trichomonas urethritis in men, it is necessary to refrain from sexual activity and treat both sexual partners. Treatment is not stoped during menstruation. After treatment of trichomoniasis, control tests should be carried out for 3 consecutive cycles before and after menstruation.

Treatment should be discontinued when a patient experiences ataxia, dizziness, hallucinations, a deterioration in the neurological status.

Bear in mind that metronidazole can immobilize treponema, which leads to a false-positive Nelson test.

Due to the possibility of dizziness and other side effects associated with taking the drug, it is recommended to refrain from driving and other mechanisms.

Flagyl reviews

User reviews about this drug are mostly positive.

According to online reviews, doctors prescribe this antibiotic to patients after surgery. This drug is widely used to prevent anaerobic infections. As a rule, this remedy does not cause side effects and is well tolerated by patients of all ages. Doctors say it is an excellent and time-tested drug, which is included in the list of vital and widely used for the treatment of bacterial anaerobic infections, and it is also an excellent antiprotozoal agent. Metronidazole antibiotics are also widely used in complex therapy.

One patient reported that he suffered from chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and regularly took Flagyl as part of complex therapy. He concluded that it was a great drug that helped him fight exacerbation. Thanks to these pills, periods of exacerbation were mild and faster. He added that the drug coped well with peptic ulcer disease. He also mentioned the generic drug is sold at a very affordable price.

Another female patient suffered from cystitis and her doctor recommended buying this antibiotic. She took one tablet 2 times a day for 7 days. All the unpleasant symptoms disappeared the same day. She managed to completely cure inflammation. According to her, this is a cheap and reliable medicine. She said that everyone should have this drug in the first aid kid. The medicine did not cause any side effects and helped her quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

One more woman wrote that she had been diagnosed with vaginitis and took this metrodinazole antibiotic for 2 weeks. The positive effect was noticeable in the first week. And the drug was well tolerated by the body, it did not give any side effects.