Treatment of cystitis in women and men with metronidazole

Symptoms of cystitis (pain in the lower abdomen, burning when urinating, frequent urge to go to the toilet) cannot be ignored, it needs to be treated. Most often, the cause of the disease are infectious agents - gram-positive and gram-negative enterobacteria, fungi, viruses, and the impetus for their development is hypothermia, trauma, hormonal imbalances, lack of vitamins. One of the effective antibacterial drugs is metronidazole. Can it be used to treat inflammation of the bladder mucosa and does it help with cystitis?

Indications Metronidazole

The drug is effective against infections caused by a large group of organisms sensitive to it, called aerobic, including those that arise as a result of surgical intervention. It is used to treat urogenital trichomoniasis, giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, and non-specific vaginitis. The drug is also successfully used for urinary tract infections.

[ 1 ]

Release form

Metronidazole is produced in tablets, suppositories, gels. It is usually prescribed in tablet form for oral administration, but other forms are also used to treat cystitis in women. This is due to the special physiological structure of their genitourinary organs: the urethra is located in close proximity to the anus, it is short and wide, and therefore vulnerable to the penetration of E. coli. Inserting a gel or suppository into the vagina speeds up the healing process.

[ 2 ]

Pharmacodynamics

The mechanism of action of the drug is based on the suppression of bacterial DNA, which prevents their reproduction, as well as disruption of the transmission of electronic signals in neurons, on which their respiratory process is based. As a result, they die.

[ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Pharmacokinetics

When entering the body, metronidazole creates high concentrations in tissues and biological fluids. Literally an hour after taking, 80% of the substance is absorbed into the blood. Its half-life is on average 10 hours. Metabolism occurs in the liver by oxidation. It is excreted mainly by the kidneys (urine is colored brown), partly with feces.

[ 5 ]

Dosing and administration

The dosage of treatment with the drug is determined by the doctor individually depending on the severity of the disease and other characteristics of the body. Usually it is 1 tablet (250 mg) 2 times a day. If necessary, the intensity of treatment is increased up to 3 times with intervals between doses of the drug of at least 8 hours.

For women, the treatment regimen with metronidazole for cystitis can be supplemented with suppositories or gel in the first 2 days of therapy (morning and evening). Before using them, hygienic procedures must be carried out.

Treatment of children with the drug is carried out with a dose calculated according to the formula 30-40 mg per kilogram of body weight in 2-3 doses.

How long do you take metronidazole for cystitis? The therapy takes up to 10 days, this period cannot be exceeded.

[ 7 ]

Application for children

The drug is not prescribed to children under 6 years of age. For older children, the dosage is calculated based on body weight.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Use Metronidazole during pregnancy

Studies on the drug's effect on fetal development during pregnancy were conducted only on animals and did not reveal its teratogenic effect. Probably, additional observations are needed to give a clear answer regarding people. It is believed that in case of a real threat to the life of the expectant mother, it can still be used and this is decided by the doctor.

Metronidazole penetrates into breast milk, which becomes an obstacle to its administration during breastfeeding. Another option is to stop lactation during treatment.

Contraindications

Metronidazole is not prescribed or is immediately cancelled in case of an allergic reaction to it. It is contraindicated for children under 6 years of age, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

[ 6 ]

Side effects Metronidazole

This antimicrobial agent can cause adverse reactions in many human systems and organs, including:

• digestive tract (nausea, epigastric pain, exacerbation of pancreatitis);
• skin (rashes, itching, swelling);
• nervous system (dizziness, headache, in some cases convulsions);
• loss of visual acuity, hearing impairment, ringing in the ears;
• psyche (depression, hallucinations);
• abnormalities in the blood formula.

The appearance of one of the symptoms is a signal to adjust the dose or to discontinue it and replace it with other medications.

Overdose

Exceeding a single dose several times causes an overdose, the symptoms of which are nausea, impaired coordination of movements of various muscles, and disorientation in space.

[ 12 ]

Interactions with other drugs

Metronidazole is not recommended to be taken simultaneously with alcohol-based drugs and alcoholic beverages themselves, as this causes tachycardia, hot flashes, and vomiting.

Anticonvulsants, enzyme-inducing drugs, and rifampicin (an antibiotic) lead to a decrease in the concentration of the drug in the blood serum, while lithium increases it.

Co-administration with disulfiram, intended for the treatment of alcoholism, causes confusion, and with fluorouracil (used for cancer) increases the toxicity of the latter.

[ 13 ], [ 14 ]

Storage conditions

Metronidazole in all forms is stored in the original packaging under normal medical conditions (temperature not higher than +25 ⁰ C, away from children and sunlight).

[ 15 ]

Shelf life

Tablets are stored for 3 years, suppositories and ointments for two.

[ 16 ]

Analogues

Antibacterial drugs with similar effects include: metrogyl, trichopolum, efloran, orzol, tinidazole, etc.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ]

Reviews

Reviews of people treated with metronidazole indicate the effectiveness of the drug in combating cystitis. Improvement in the condition was observed literally 2-3 days after the start of therapy.

[ 19 ]