METRONIDAZOLE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Metronidazole is effective for the management of anaerobic
infections, such as intra-abdominal infections, gynecologic infections,
septicemia, endocarditis, bone and joint infections,
central nervous system infections, respiratory tract infections,
skin and skin-structure infections, and oral and dental infections.
Metronidazole is also used as prophylaxis before abdominal
and gynecological surgical procedures to reduce the risk
of postoperative anaerobic infection. For treatment of mixed
aerobic and anaerobic infection, metronidazole should be used
in combination with other antibacterial agents that are appropriate
for the treatment of the aerobic infection, because it is
ineffective against aerobic bacteria (Table 1). Metronidazole also
produces good clinical results when it is used for treatment of
giardiasis, trichomoniasis, and amoebiasis, and it is recommended
for the treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis
or nonspecific vaginitis caused by G. vaginalis.
In accordance with international guidelines, metronidazole
is also a component of multidrug regimens (eg, in combination
with omeprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin) for therapy