Disclaimer. I am not a licensed health practitioner. This is just another post on knowledge and understanding you might wish to acquire in advance of a disaster in case no higher care is available. As long as our society is functioning, you should leave anything more substantial than applying a Band-Aid to the professionals. No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician. Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.
Metronidazole is another one of those antibiotic wonders. As the only member of the nitroimidazole family that is commonly available to non-medical personnel, it’s in a class by itself, often doing a job no other antibiotic can.
Sold by so-called “fish antibiotic” purveyors under the names Fish-Zole (250 mg), and Fish-Zole Forte (500 mg), it’s marketed for people under the brand name Flagyl. Metronidazole kills anaerobic bacteria and protozoa by interfering with DNA replication. It is used for a wide variety of diseases in just as wide a variety of dosages and protocols.
Bacterial infections:
· Diverticulitis, appendicitis, peritonitis, and aspiration pneumonia. Metronidazole is prescribed in a dosage of 500 mg, 3-4 times per day, until 3-4 days after symptoms resolve. In treating these illnesses, it is used in conjunction with TMP-SMZ DS.[1],
· Gallbladder infections. As above, metronidazole is combined with TMP-SMZ. However, because the risk of nausea and vomiting is very high, administer a single dose of meclizine 30 minutes prior to giving metronidazole to reduce the possibility of vomiting.[2]
· Colitis due to Clostridium difficile (which may occur from taking other antibiotics). Metronidazole is prescribed, 500 mg 3-4 times per day, for 5-10 days.[3]
· Helicobacter pylori ulcers are most effectively treated by metronidazole, 500 mg twice per day for several days, in conjunction with omeprazole and amoxicillin, tetracycline, or clarithromycin. (See Ulcers)
· Dental infections. Metronidazole is used particularly where deep roots and poor oxygenation are an issue, 400 mg 3 times per day for 5 days.[4]
· Animal or human bites. Metronidazole is an alternative if the preferred antibiotics are not available, and is used in dosages of 250-500 mg, 3 times per day, for 7-10 days. Tetracycline or clarithromycin may also be prescribed.
· Pelvic or uterine infections due to STDs, postpartum infections, or miscarriage call for metronidazole, 500 mg, twice per day for 2 weeks, in conjunction with doxycycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, or azithromycin.[5]
· Bacterial vaginosis is treated with metronidazole, 500 mg, twice per day for 7 days.[6]
· Meningitis, cellulitis, bone and joint infections are treated with intravenously administered metronidazole.
Protozoal infections:
· Giardiasis, metronidazole, 250 mg, 3 times per day, for 5-10 days.[7]
· Trichomoniasis, metronidazole, 250 mg, 3 times per day, for 7 days[8] or 2 grams (four 500 mg tablets) taken at once.[9]
· Amoebic dysentery, 750 mg, 3 times per day, for 5-10 days.[10]
Side effects: Nausea, loss of appetite, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Contraindications: Not for use in pregnant or nursing women. Do not consume alcohol during treatment or for two days after treatment is completed or there is risk of having an almost instant hangover and vomiting.
Links to related posts:
Ulcers
Giardia
STDs
Bites
Gallbladder infections
Diverticulitis
Appendicitis
References:
[1] Cynthia Koelker, Armageddon Medicine, 172.
[2] Ibid, 178.
[3] Ibid, 169.
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8426284-the-role-of-metronidazole-in-the-treatment-of-periodontal-diseases/?from_term=metronidazole&from_page=2&from_pos=8
[5] “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015 https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/pid.htm (accessed 2 March 2020).
[6] “Bacterial Vaginosis,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015 https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/bv.htm (accessed 2 March 2020).
[7] Timothy B. Gardner, et al., “Treatment of Giardiasis,” Clinical Microbiology Reviews, January 2001, 14(1), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88965/ (accessed 2 March 2020).
[8] Kawthar Bouchemal, et al., “Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Trichomonas Vaginalis Infections,” Clinical Microbiology Reviews, July 2017, 30(3), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5475227/ (accessed 2 March 2020).
[9] Joseph Alton, et al., Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, 176.
[10] Ibid.
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