What are Metronidazole tablets?

Metronidazole tablets are an antibiotic used to treat a variety of issues including Bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis (or BV) is a common vaginal infection and the most common cause of unusual discharge in women, although 50% of women will have no symptoms at all. The most common symptom of Bacterial vaginosis is unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex. You may notice a change to the colour and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.

Metronidazole is also commonly called Flagyl, both medications contain the same active ingredients.

These tablets treat Bacterial vaginosis by fighting the bacteria that cause it, therefore, reducing the symptoms. Bacterial vaginosis can be caused by a change in the natural balance of your vagina, and the cause is not fully understood. Some common triggers include:

Being sexually active (but women who have not had sex can also get BV)
A change of partner
Having an IUD (contraception device)
Using perfumed products in or around your vagina

Despite common perception, BV is not an STI, though it can be worsened by sex and passed between women during sex. Although having BV will make you more likely to catch an STI as BV makes your vagina less acidic and reduces your natural defences against infection. To avoid this use a form of barrier protection such as a condom.

The dosage and amount of these tablets will vary depending on the type of infection, for BV 400mg of Metronidazole should be taken twice a day for a 5- 7 day period and you should preferably take the tablet during or after a meal. These tablets can be very useful at preventing the symptoms of BV from progressing, they should clear up over 2-3 days, continue the treatment course even if you are better.

Always consult your doctor or prescriber before trying a new medication. You can buy these tablets online or from your local pharmacy. If you choose to buy Metronidazole tablets online with e-Surgery we will require a short 2-minute health questionnaire to verify you are receiving the correct medication. Whenever you buy Metronidazole tablets online or any other medication make sure to buy from reputable, registered pharmacies.

How do I take Metronidazole tablets?

To treat Bacterial vaginosis, take one 400mg Metronidazole tablet twice a day for 7 days. Take each tablet at the same time each day i.e. breakfast and dinner. Always follow what your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed and finish the full course of treatment. Contact your doctor or prescriber if you have any questions about how to take these tablets for BV.

Symptoms of Bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is generally harmless but can be reoccurring and unpleasant. The common symptoms include:

Thin, grey, white or green vaginal discharge
Foul-smelling fishy vaginal odour
Vaginal itching
Burning during urination

Many women will not experience any symptoms at all. You should see a doctor when:

You have vaginal discharge that’s new and associated with an odour or fever. Your doctor can help determine the cause and identify signs and symptoms.
You’ve had vaginal infections before, but the colour and consistency of your discharge seems different this time.
You have multiple sex partners or a recent new partner. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are similar to those of bacterial vaginosis.
You try self-treatment for a yeast infection with an over-the-counter treatment and your symptoms persist.

If you have any questions about Bacterial vaginosis you can use our free Ask-A-Pharmacist service to contact a registered UK pharmacist for advice.

Side effects of Metronidazole tablets?

If you buy Metronidazole tablets be aware that, like all medications, the tablets have possible side effects. Here are some of the common side effects:

feeling sick (nausea)
being sick (vomiting) or diarrhoea
metallic taste in your mouth or a furry tongue

Go to a doctor straight away if you have any of these symptoms (these are very rare):

You get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, an, itchy, lumpy rash (hives) or nettle rash (urticaria) as this could be an allergic reaction
A serious but very rare side effect is a brain disease (encephalopathy) which can cause a fever, stiff neck, headache, seeing or hearing things that aren’t there and problems with speaking or feeling confused.
You develop skin rashes including Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. These can appear as reddish target-like spots or circular patches often with central blisters on the trunk, skin peeling, ulcers of the mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes and can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms
Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Unexpected infections, mouth ulcers, bruising, bleeding gums, or severe tiredness
Severe stomach pain which may reach through to your back

Read the Metronidazole tablet online patient information leaflet for more information before you buy Metronidazole tablets online.

Interactions with Metronidazole tablets and alcohol/food?

Do not drink any alcohol while you are taking these tablets and for 48 hours after finishing your course. Drinking alcohol while using these tablets might cause unpleasant side effects, such as feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), stomach pain, hot flushes, very fast or uneven heartbeat (palpitations) and headache.

Antibiotics are best taken with a full stomach to avoid gastric issues.

There are no interactions between Metronidazole tablets and food.

Interactions with Metronidazole tablets and other drugs?

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines because Metronidazole tablets can affect the way some other medicines work.

Also, some other medicines can affect the way Metronidazole tablets works. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

Medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin

Lithium for mental illness
Phenobarbital or phenytoin for epilepsy
5 fluorouracil for cancer
Busulfan for leukaemia (cancer of the blood cells)
Ciclosporin to prevent the rejection of organs after transplant
Disulfiram for alcoholism

If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you buy Metronidazole tablets online or at your local pharmacy.

What if I forget to take my Metronidazole tablets?

If you forget to take these tablets, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Can I take Metronidazole tablets when pregnant?

Tell your doctor before using these tablets if:

You are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. these tablets should not be taken during pregnancy unless considered absolutely necessary.
You are breast-feeding. It is better not to use these tablets if you are breast-feeding. This is because small amounts may pass into the mothers milk.

Is there any reason I would not be able to take Metronidazole tablets?

Do not take these tablets if:

You are allergic (hypersensitive) to metronidazole, nitroimidazoles (e.g. tinidazole) or any of the other ingredients in your medicine
Signs of an allergic reaction include a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
You have or have ever had a liver problem
You are having kidney dialysis
You have a disease of the nervous system

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine. Do this even if they have applied in the past.

Why should I buy Metronidazole tablets?

If you buy these tablets online you will be able to treat unpleasant discharge and odour from bacterial vaginosis which can be unpleasant and embarrassing. (even though it is a very common female problem that most women will have had experience with.) You will notice symptoms clearing up over a few days making it a fast and effective solution.

You can buy these tablets online from e-Surgery with free delivery (there is also a premium next day delivery available), so that you can clear up your BV quickly and effectively.

Alternative to Metronidazole tablets?

Some other medical treatments for BV include:

Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, others). This medicine is available as a cream that you insert into your vagina. Clindamycin cream may weaken latex condoms during treatment and for at least three days after you stop using the cream.
Tinidazole (Tindamax). This medication is taken orally. Tinidazole has the same potential for stomach upset and nausea as oral Metronidazole does, so avoid alcohol during treatment and for at least three days after completing treatment.

Bacterial vaginosis is often recurrent, and some frequent sufferers report changes to the diet that re-balance the bacteria in the vagina such as eating certain types of yoghurt (though more study is needed). Avoiding triggers such as perfumed products and soaps and avoiding tight or uncomfortable underwear has also reportedly helped some women.

How do I store Metronidazole tablets?

If you buy Metronidazole tablets make sure you store them in a cool, dry place as per instruction of the the patient information leaflet, and do not consume them after the expiry date.

Whenever you buy Metronidazole tablets online or any other medication ensure you check the expiry date when your medication arrives to you in the post.

Can I buy Metronidazole online?

Yes, you can legally buy Metronidazole tablets online from registered prescribers such as e-Surgery.

Whenever you buy Metronidazole tablets online or any other medication, make sure you check for the green GPhC logo on the bottom of each page of the website you are using.

You can use the GPhC website to check if a pharmacy is registered, this will ensure that if you buy Metronidazole online it is genuine.

Where can I get more information about Metronidazole tablets online?

You can learn more about these tablets online in the Metronidazole tablet patient information leaflet, which contains more useful information.

You can also use our completely free Ask-a-Pharmacist service to get health advice from a trained professional. We’re here to help!

We also have a blog post that contains useful information about BV that you might want to read; ‘What Is Bacterial Vaginosis? And Why Do Women Keep It A Secret?‘

If I buy Metronidazole tablets online, how much will they cost?

You can buy Metronidazole tablets online from e-Surgery from 15.95 for a 7-day complete course.

How will my Metronidazole tablets be delivered?

e-Surgery uses Royal Mail delivery with choices starting from; Royal Mail 48 tracked delivery, Royal Mail tracked 24 and Royal Mail 1pm special delivery (discover more about e-Surgery delivery). When you buy Metronidazole tablets online they will arrive in discreet, recyclable packaging at a delivery address of your choice.

Find out to recycle packaging from e-Surgery.

What does the Metronidazole tablets pack contain?

The tablet pack contains a patient information leaflet and a blister pack containing 14 400mg tablets. This is a 7 day course, 1 tablet to be taken twice a day.

If I buy Metronidazole tablets online, how do I dispose of them?

Whenever you buy Metronidazole tablets online they will come in blister packs that are not currently recyclable, so once they have been used can be disposed of in a general waste bin. If the tablets are unfinished dispose of the medication safely and drop them off at a local pharmacy. Cardboard packaging and paper patient information leaflets are recyclable.

For any more information on the disposal of these tablets, you can use our free Ask-a-Pharmacist service.

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