Metronidazole interacts with several medications; always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, and supplements. This helps prevent potentially harmful interactions.
Avoid alcohol completely while taking metronidazole and for at least 24 hours after completing your course. Combining them can cause a disulfiram-like reaction, characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache, and flushing.
- Warfarin: Metronidazole can increase the effects of warfarin, increasing bleeding risk. Regular blood monitoring is recommended during concurrent use. Lithium: Metronidazole may elevate lithium levels in the blood. Your doctor may need to adjust your lithium dosage. Phenytoin: Concurrent use can lead to altered phenytoin levels, necessitating monitoring and potential dosage adjustments. Disulfiram: Avoid concurrent use; the combination carries a high risk of severe side effects.
Certain medications can also affect the metabolism of Metronidazole, changing its effectiveness. Examples include some antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Open communication with your healthcare provider is crucial.
Always provide a complete medication history to your doctor and pharmacist. Never self-medicate; interactions can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Report any unusual symptoms promptly to your doctor.
This information is not exhaustive; consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on potential drug interactions with metronidazole.
