What bacterial infections does Flagyl (Metronidazole) treat?

From the Guidelines

Flagyl (metronidazole) is effective against a wide range of bacterial infections, including those caused by Bacteroides species, Clostridium species, Fusobacterium, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, and Prevotella, and is commonly used to treat conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, intra-abdominal infections, and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, as well as protozoal infections like trichomoniasis, giardiasis, and amoebiasis. The most recent and highest quality study 1 provides guidelines for the diagnosis and management of complicated intra-abdominal infection in adults and children, and recommends the use of metronidazole in combination with other antibiotics for the treatment of community-acquired intra-abdominal infection. Some of the key points to consider when using Flagyl include:

• Typical adult dosing ranges from 250-500 mg taken orally three times daily for 7-14 days, depending on the specific infection
• Flagyl works by entering bacterial cells and disrupting their DNA, preventing bacterial reproduction
• The medication is particularly effective against anaerobic bacteria because these organisms lack the protective mechanisms that aerobic bacteria have against metronidazole's active metabolites
• Patients should avoid alcohol while taking Flagyl and for at least three days after completing treatment due to a potential disulfiram-like reaction that can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and headaches. It's also important to note that Flagyl is effective against a wide range of bacterial infections, including those caused by Bacteroides species, Clostridium species, Fusobacterium, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, and Prevotella, as stated in the study 1. Additionally, the study 1 provides recommended regimens for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, including metronidazole 500 mg orally twice a day for 7 days, and notes that patients should be advised to avoid consuming alcohol during treatment with metronidazole and for 24 hours thereafter. The study 1 also discusses the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, and notes that metronidazole remains the only recommended treatment for trichomoniasis. Overall, Flagyl is a versatile and effective antibiotic that can be used to treat a wide range of bacterial and protozoal infections.

From the FDA Drug Label

INTRA‑ABDOMINAL INFECTIONS, including peritonitis, intra‑abdominal abscess, and liver abscess, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group (B. fragilis, B. distasonis, B. ovatus, B. thetaiotaomicron, B vulgatus), Clostridium species, Eubacterium species, Peptococcusniger, and Peptostreptococcus species. SKIN AND SKIN STRUCTURE INFECTIONS caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group, Clostridium species, Peptococcus niger, Peptostreptococcus species, and Fusobacterium species GYNECOLOGIC INFECTIONS, including endometritis, endomyometritis, tubo‑ovarian abscess, and postsurgical vaginal cuff infection, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group, Clostridium species, Peptococcusniger, and Peptostreptococcus species. BACTERIAL SEPTICEMIA caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group, and Clostridium species BONE AND JOINT INFECTIONS, as adjunctive therapy, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) INFECTIONS, including meningitis and brain abscess, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS, including pneumonia, empyema, and lung abscess, caused by Bacteroides species including the B fragilis group. ENDOCARDITIS caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group.

Flagyl treats the following bacterial infections:

• Intra-abdominal infections
• Skin and skin structure infections
• Gynecologic infections
• Bacterial septicemia
• Bone and joint infections
• Central nervous system (CNS) infections
• Lower respiratory tract infections
• Endocarditis Caused by:
• Bacteroides species (including B. fragilis group)
• Clostridium species
• Eubacterium species
• Peptococcus niger
• Peptostreptococcus species
• Fusobacterium species 2

From the Research

Bacterial Infections Treated by Flagyl

Flagyl, also known as metronidazole, is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections. The following are some of the bacterial infections that Flagyl is used to treat:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Treatment Options

The treatment options for bacterial vaginosis include:

• Oral metronidazole (500 mg twice daily for 7 days) 3
• Single-dose metronidazole (2 g orally) 3
• 2% clindamycin vaginal cream (once daily for 7 days) 3
• 0.75% metronidazole vaginal gel (twice daily for 5 days) 3
• Oral clindamycin (300 mg twice daily for 7 days) 3

Effectiveness of Metronidazole

Metronidazole has been shown to be effective in treating bacterial vaginosis, with a significant reduction in symptoms and improvement in vaginal flora 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Comparison with Other Treatments

A systematic review and meta-analysis compared tinidazole with metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and found that both treatments had similar efficacy and safety profiles 6.