Metronidazole can be used for: Adults and children over 1 year
preventing infections after you have an operation
treating infections, including infections of your blood, brain, lungs, bones, lining of your abdomen, pelvis and infections following childbirth or around the area where you had an operation
treating trichomoniasis. This is a sexually transmitted infection, in both males and females
treating amoebiasis - an infection of your intestine or liver caused by a parasite
treating giardiasis - an infection that causes swelling of your intestines. Adults and children over 10 years only
treating vaginosis - an infection and swelling of your vagina
treating swollen gums and ulcers in your mouth (gingivitis) and other dental infections
treating ulcers and pressure sores on your leg.
Children: It can also be used in children to treat a bacterial infection in the stomach (Helicobacter pylori).
Newborns (full term): It can be used in full term newborns for treating bacteria infections and preventing infections after an operation.
Treatment of established anaerobic infection: 800mg (20ml/4teaspoonful) followed by 400mg (10ml/2teaspoonful) at 8 hourly intervals.
Children > 8 weeks to 12 years of age: The usual daily dose is 20 – 30mg/kg/day as a single dose or divided into 7.5mg/kg every 8 hours. The daily dose may be increased to 40mg/kg, depending on the severity of the infection. Duration of treatment is usually 7 days.
Children < 8 weeks of age: 15mg/kg as a single dose daily or divided into 7.5mg/kg every 12 hours.
In newborns with a gestation age <40 weeks, accumulation of metronidazole can occur during the first week of life, which is why the concentrations of metronidazole in serum should preferably be monitored after a few days therapy.
