Bebe asked
Can I start metronidazole again after stopping for a day to see if the side effects (such as blurred vision, head lightness, dry mouth, some trouble speaking) are going away? I have been taking for 8 days in combination with amoxicillin, Pepto Bismol and Nexium for bacteria H. pylori. The doctor has prescribed to take all for 14 days.
Answer
Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an antibiotic medication used to treat a variety of infections including H.pylori infections as part of a multi-drug regimen. With antibiotic medications, it is important to take the fully prescribed treatment that is recommended by your doctor. Skipping doses could increase your risk of further infection or infection resistance to the antibiotic. It is recommended to continue to take the antibiotic, even if you miss a schedule dose.
Metronidazole Side Effects
The blurred vision, light-headedness, dry mouth, and trouble speaking are side effects that have been reported while taking metronidazole. They are generally reported to be mild and should go away within a few days after stopping the medication. Other common reactions to metronidazole include:
- Dark red or brown urine
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Metallic taste in the mouth.
According to the package insert for metronidazole, on average it will be eliminated from the body after 48 based on a half life of 8 hours. This means that even though you stopped taking the metronidazole for one day, the side effects you are experiencing may not go away as the drug is still in your system
Metronidazole For H. Pylori
Most infections are treated with metronidazole for 7 to 10 days, but more persistent or severe infections require a longer treatment duration.The recommended treatment duration for an H.pylori infection is between 5 and 14 days.
One study found that H.pylori was eradicated in 76.6% percent of patient after 7 days and in 78.1% of patients after 14 days when also treated with amoxicillin and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), like Nexium. According to this information if the side effects are bothersome you can talk to your doctor about stopping the metronidazole before the full 14 days recommended of treatment without a significant decrease of treatment outcomes.
Do not take this medication with alcohol as it will cause unpleasant side effects including a rapid heart beat, tingling, nausea and vomiting, and skin redness. This includes the three days after stopping the medication when metronidazole can still be found in your body.
