Metronidazole (Topical)
Brand Names : MetroCream, MetroGel, MetroLotion
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor
will make. For topical metronidazole, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to metronidazole, clotrimazole, or tioconazole. Also tell
your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,
such as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy - Topical metronidazole has not been studied in pregnant
women. However, metronidazole given by mouth (e.g., Flagyl) has not been shown
to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding - Topical metronidazole is absorbed into the mother's
body only in small amounts. The small amounts of this medicine that are absorbed
are unlikely to cause serious problems in nursing babies.
Children - Rosacea is usually considered an adult disease. Therefore,
topical metronidazole is not generally used in children.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of topical metronidazole in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - 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. Tell your health care
professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of
the skin.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of topical metronidazole. Make sure you tell your
doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Blood disease or a history of blood disease - Metronidazole may
make the condition worse
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