368 Where There Is No Doctor 2011 Green Pages
Metronidazole (familiar brand name: Flagyl)
Name:_________________________________________
Often comes in:
tablets of 200, 250, or 500 mg.
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
vaginal inserts, 500 mg.
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
solution, 200 mg. in 5 ml.
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
Metronidazole is useful for gut infections caused
by amebas, giardia, and certain bacteria, and
sometimes for diarrhea that comes from taking
‘wide-range’ antibiotics (such as ampicillin). It
is also useful for vaginal infections caused by
trichomonas, or by certain bacteria. It can also help
to treat the symptoms of guinea worm.
CAUTION: Do not drink alcohol when taking
metronidazole, as this causes severe nausea.
WARNING: Metronidazole may cause birth defects.
Pregnant women should avoid using this medicine
if possible, especially during the first 3 months of
pregnancy. Breastfeeding women using large doses
should not give their babies breast milk for
24 hours after taking metronidazole. Persons with
liver problems should not use metronidazole.
Dosage for giardia infection:
Give metronidazole 3 times a day for 5 days.
In each dose give:
adults: 250 mg. (1 tablet)
children 8 to 12 years: 250 mg. (1 tablet)
children 3 to 7 years: 125 mg. (½ tablet)
children under 3 years: 62 mg. (¼ tablet)
Dosage for giardia infection that lasts 6 months or
longer:
adults: Give 750 mg. metronidazole 3 times
a day for 10 days. Also give quinacrine
(p. 369).
Dosage for guinea worm:
Give the same dose as for giardia, 3 times a day
for 10 days.
Dosage for trichomonas infections of the vagina:
Take 8 tablets (2 g.) by mouth in one single
dose. Or, if the infection is not very severe, use a
vaginal insert of 2 tablets (500 g.) twice a day for
7 days. The man should be treated for trichomonas
at the same time (even if he has no symptoms) or
he will pass it back to the woman.
Dosage for stomach ulcers (along with other
medicines—see p. 129):
Give metronidazole 3 times a day for 10 to 14
days. In each dose give 500 mg.
Dosage for bacterial infections of the vagina:
Take 2 tablets (500 mg.) of metronidazole twice
a day for 7 days. If the infection returns, both the
woman and man should take the same treatment, at
the same time.
Dosage for amebic dysentery (25 to 50 mg./kg./day):
—using 250 mg. tablets
Give metronidazole 3 times a day for 5 to
10 days.
In each dose give:
adults: 750 mg. (3 tablets)
children 8 to 12 years: 500 mg. (2 tablets)
children 4 to 7 years: 375 mg. (1 ½ tablets)
children 2 to 3 years: 250 mg. (1 tablet)
children under 2 years: 80 to 125 mg. (1⁄3 to
½ tablet)
If possible, for amebic dysentery, diloxanide
furoate should be taken after finishing
metronidazole. For amebic abscess, it is important
to take both metronidazole and diloxanide furoate.
Diloxanide furoate (Furamide)
Name:_________________________________________
Often comes in:
500 mg. tablets
price:_________________ for_ ___________________
syrup with 125 mg. in 5 ml.
price:_________________ for_ ___________________
Side effects: Occasionally causes gas, stomach
pain, or nausea.
Dosage for diloxanide furoate (20 mg./kg./day)—
tablets of 500 mg.
Give 3 times a day (with meals) for 10 days.
In each dose give:
adults: 1 tablet (500 mg.)
children 8 to 12 years: ½ tablet (250 mg.)
children 3 to 7 years: ¼ tablet (125 mg.)
children under 3 years: 1⁄8 tablet (62 mg.)
or less, depending on weight