Metronidazole
Metronidazole
What is Metronidazole?
Metronidazole is a prescription antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication used to treat a wide variety of bacterial and parasitic infections. Common uses include bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection), C. difficile colitis, intra-abdominal infections, H. pylori eradication (as part of combination therapy), dental infections, and certain skin and soft tissue infections. Metronidazole works by entering bacterial and protozoal cells and disrupting their DNA, preventing them from replicating and causing them to die. Available as oral tablets, capsules, extended-release tablets, and topical gel or cream for BV and rosacea. A licensed provider can prescribe metronidazole online through Rx.com for BV, trichomoniasis, or other appropriate infections.Side Effects
- Tingling or numbness in your feet or hands.
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Warnings
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
- Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine.
- This medicine may cause the following problems:Nerve problem, including peripheral neuropathySkin reactions, including contact dermatitisEye irritation
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have nerve problems or a history of blood disease.
- Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Prescription savings · · · ·
What is Metronidazole ?
Metronidazole is a prescription antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication used to treat a wide variety of bacterial and parasitic infections. Common uses include bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection), C. difficile colitis, intra-abdominal infections, H. pylori eradication (as part of combination therapy), dental infections, and certain skin and soft tissue infections. Metronidazole works by entering bacterial and protozoal cells and disrupting their DNA, preventing them from replicating and causing them to die. Available as oral tablets, capsules, extended-release tablets, and topical gel or cream for BV and rosacea. A licensed provider can prescribe metronidazole online through Rx.com for BV, trichomoniasis, or other appropriate infections.- Tingling or numbness in your feet or hands.
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
- Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
- Red, sore eyes, tearing of the eyes
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
- Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine.
- This medicine may cause the following problems:Nerve problem, including peripheral neuropathySkin reactions, including contact dermatitisEye irritation
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have nerve problems or a history of blood disease.
- Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Metronidazole Coupons & Prices
Metronidazole
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Looking for a metronidazole coupon? Metronidazole is a widely used generic antibiotic and antiprotozoal, so it is already one of the lower-cost prescriptions at the pharmacy counter. Even so, the cash price can vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next, which is why comparing before you fill matters. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies so you can find the lowest price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price on metronidazole tablets, capsules, gel, or vaginal formulations.
What is metronidazole and how does it work?
Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic and antiprotozoal medicine. It works against anaerobic bacteria (germs that grow without oxygen) and certain parasites, killing them and stopping the infection from spreading. It is FDA-approved to treat a broad range of infections, including trichomoniasis (including treatment of a symptom-free partner), amebiasis and amebic liver abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica, giardiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and serious anaerobic infections of the abdomen, skin, gynecologic tract, bone and joint, lower respiratory tract, central nervous system, bloodstream, and heart lining (endocarditis) caused by susceptible germs such as Bacteroides and Clostridium.
It comes in several forms. Oral tablets and capsules (sold under brand names like Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Likmez) treat systemic infections. Topical gels, creams, and lotions (MetroGel, MetroCream, MetroLotion, Noritate, Rosadan) are approved for rosacea, and vaginal formulations (MetroGel-Vaginal, Nuvessa, Vandazole) are approved for bacterial vaginosis. Always take metronidazole exactly as your provider prescribes and finish the full course, even if you feel better.
Metronidazole cost without insurance and how to save
Metronidazole is available as a generic, and generics are typically far less expensive than their brand-name equivalent (Flagyl). Because it is a common, long-established antibiotic, the cash price is usually modest. That said, what you actually pay can differ widely depending on which pharmacy you use, your ZIP code, the form (tablet, capsule, gel, or vaginal gel), and the quantity your prescription calls for.
Since prices are not the same everywhere, comparing pharmacies is the simplest way to keep your out-of-pocket cost down, whether or not you use insurance. Rx.com compares metronidazole prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies and shows you a discount that you can present at the counter. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price near you.
Metronidazole vs. related antibiotics
Metronidazole is often chosen for anaerobic and protozoal infections, but your provider may prescribe a different antibiotic depending on the type of infection and your history. A closely related option in the same nitroimidazole family is tinidazole. For bacterial vaginosis and certain anaerobic infections, clindamycin is a common alternative. Other frequently prescribed antibiotics for different infections include amoxicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin.
These medicines are not interchangeable, and the right choice depends on the specific germ and infection. Only your prescriber can decide which antibiotic is appropriate for you. If you have a coupon question, you can compare prices on any of these on Rx.com by entering your ZIP.
Important safety information
This is a summary, not medical advice; always follow your provider's directions and read the label. Metronidazole carries a boxed warning because it has been shown to cause cancer in mice and rats, so it should be used only for approved infections and not unnecessarily. Do not drink alcohol or use products containing propylene glycol while taking it and for at least 3 days after finishing, because the combination can cause a disulfiram-like reaction with flushing, nausea, vomiting, and a fast heartbeat. It should not be taken with the medication disulfiram (Antabuse), or within 2 weeks of it.
Tell your provider right away if you develop numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, seizures, confusion, vision changes, or a severe skin rash or blistering, as these can signal serious nervous-system or skin reactions and may require stopping the drug. Metronidazole can increase the effect of blood thinners such as warfarin (raising bleeding risk) and may turn your urine dark or reddish-brown, which is harmless. Use caution if you have liver problems (a lower dose may be needed), a blood disorder, or are pregnant, and it should not be used by people with Cockayne syndrome. Discuss your full medication list and health history with your provider or pharmacist.
This Metronidazole information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Verify the official label: Metronidazole on DailyMed (FDA)
Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026
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Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.