Metronidazole (Topical)

Brand name(s): MetroCream

Before Using This Medicine

In 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

Last Revised: 12/22/1999