Medicines
Green Pages
warning!
metronidazole
Metronidazole is used against some
bacteria, amoebic dysentery,
trichomonas, and vaginal infections.
Important: Drinking alcohol while
taking metronidazole will cause nausea.
Side effects: Metallic taste in mouth,
dark urine, nausea, vomiting, headache.
Often comes in: tablets of 200, 250,
400, and 500 mg; inserts of 500 mg;
injection of 500 mg in 100 ml vial;
suspension of 200 mg in 5 ml.
How to use:
For womb infection in pregnancy (see
p. 179), give 400 to 500 mg by mouth
3 times a day for 7 to 10 days.
For infection after birth (see p. 271),
give 400 to 500 mg by mouth 3 times
a day until fever has been gone for
48 hours.
To prevent infection in the womb
after an invasive procedure (see
p. 231), give 1 g by mouth 1 time only.
Also give amoxicillin.
For bacterial vaginosis (see p. 328) or
trichomonas (see p. 326), give 400 to
500 mg by mouth 2 times a day for
7 days,
or put a 500 mg insert high in the
vagina every night for 7 nights.
For pelvic infection (see p. 325), give
400 to 500 mg by mouth 3 times a day
for 14 days. You must give other
antibiotics too.
For infection after abortion (see p. 410),
give 400 to 500 mg by mouth 3 times
a day until fever has been gone for
48 hours. You must give other
antibiotics too.
Other drugs that may work:
amoxicillin, ampicillin, benzylpenicillin,
gentamicin, doxycycline.
continued . . .
metronidazole continued
WARNING: It is best not to use
metronidazole during the first
3 months of pregnancy. People
with liver problems should not
use this drug.
warning!
miconazole
Miconazole fights yeast and other
fungus infections in the mouth (thrush),
the vagina, or the skin.
Important: Stop using miconazole if it
irritates the skin. A person with a yeast
infection should not have sex while
using miconazole to avoid passing the
infection to her partner.
Often comes in: cream of 2%; inserts of
100 and 200 mg.
How to use:
For yeast infections of the vagina
(see p. 327), put a 200 mg insert high in
the vagina every night for 3 nights.
Other drugs that may work:
gentian violet, nystatin.
WARNING: Do not use
miconazole during the first
3 months of pregnancy.
484
A Book for Midwives (2010)