Metronidazole

• Metronidazole is a bacteriocidal antibiotic that inhibits protein synthesis by interacting with DNA, and causes a loss of helical DNA structure and strand breakage.  
• Metronidazole can be taken perorally, IV and topically.
• Metronidazole penetrates vaginal secretions, seminal fluid, saliva, breast milk, and CSF, but does not cross over the placenta.
• Metronidazole can treat anaerobic bacterial infections like Clostridium difficile,  Helicobacter pylori, Lactobacillus, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia lamblia.
• Metronidazole is metabolized in the liver and is an inhibitor of CYP450 enzymes
• side effects of metronidazole include

  • decreased appetite,
  • nausea,
  • a metallic taste in the mouth, 
  • headaches,
  • stomach cramps
  • seizures 
  • peripheral neuropathy
• Metronidazole contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy
•  when the person drinks alcohol while taking metronidazole, they will experience severe nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
• Ferredoxin allows metronidazole to generate free radicals and these free radicals will damage the DNA.