INTRODUCTION ABOUT FLAGYL SUSPENSION

FLAGYL SUSPENSION contains Metronidazole which belongs to the group of medicines called Antiprotozoal drugs. It is used to manage various bacterial and parasitic infections in the body such as amoebiasis, giardiasis (parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea with stomach cramps), trichomonas vaginitis (parasitic infection of the genital tract), infections of the blood, brain, lungs, bones, stomach (Ex. H. pylori infection), pelvis, urinary tract, genital tract (vaginal infections) and gums and teeth (Ex. gingivitis or other dental infections).

It can also be used in the management of infected leg ulcers or pressure sores and helps in the management of post-surgical infections and infections following childbirth. FLAGYL SUSPENSION is suitable for use both in adults and in children including full-term new-borns, toddlers (aged 1 year or above) and in older children (aged 10 years or above).

Take FLAGYL SUSPENSION during or just after meals. It is important to take the full course of the therapy to achieve better control over infection. Failure or skipping doses in between the therapy may not result in adequate infection control. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking FLAGYL SUSPENSION as it could increase the risk of dizziness and drowsiness.

Before taking FLAGYL SUSPENSION inform your doctor if you have any problems in your liver or kidneys. You must also inform your doctor if you have any problems in your nervous system as a precaution. Do not take this medicine without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The most common side effects of taking FLAGYL SUSPENSION are lack of appetite, nausea, metallic taste in mouth and stomach cramps. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect troubles you.

USES OF FLAGYL SUSPENSION

It is used in adults and in children (including full-term new-borns) to manage various bacterial and parasitic infections such as:

• Amoebiasis and Giardiasis (parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea with stomach cramps)
• Infection of the genital or urinary tract (such as trichomonas vaginitis)
• Blood infections
• Brain infections (such as meningitis)
• Lung infections
• Bone and joint infections
• Stomach infections (Ex. H. pylori infection)
• Infection of the pelvic area
• Gum and teeth infection (Ex. gingivitis or other dental infections)
• Infected leg ulcers or pressure sores

It also helps in managing post-surgical infections and infections following childbirth.

HOW FLAGYL SUSPENSION WORKS

FLAGYL SUSPENSION is an antiprotozoal agent with antibacterial properties. It works by killing the bacteria and parasites that cause infections in the body. This, destroys the infection causing germs within the body and manages their further growth and multiplication which therefore reduces the severity of the infection.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take FLAGYL SUSPENSION as advised by your physician. Shake the medicine well before use. Measure the required amount of medicine in the measuring cup provided with the pack and consume the medicine immediately. It must be taken during or just after meals.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and severity of infection. Do not stop therapy or skip doses in between the therapy to achieve better control over infection.

SIDE EFFECTS OF FLAGYL SUSPENSION

COMMON

• lack of appetite
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• metallic taste in mouth
• stomach cramps
• headache, dizziness
• inflammation of tongue, swollen tongue
• dry mouth
• flushing of skin, skin rash and itching
• genital itching
• pharyngitis and sinusitis

Stop taking FLAGYL SUSPENSION and consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

• stomach pain, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, tiredness, weakness, jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of the eye), dark urine, putty or mastic-coloured stools, skin itchiness
• signs of severe allergic reactions (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
• severe skin reactions (such as widespread skin rash, blistering, peeling or bleeding on any part of the skin with fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes and malaise or pink or reddish skin lesions on palms or soles)
• signs of brain disease called encephalopathy (such as fever, stiff neck, headache, seeing things which aren’t there, confusion, difficulties in using your arms and legs, problems with speaking)
• inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis) causing fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, headache, extreme light sensitivity
• signs of blood disease (such as unexpected infections, mouth ulcers, bruising, gum bleeding, or severe tiredness)
• signs of a liver problem (such as yellowing of skin and eyes)
• severe stomach pain which may reach through to your back (signs of inflammation in the pancreas)

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Diarrhea

Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Consuming ORS can also be beneficial. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor. If your diarrhea worsens, contact your doctor immediately.

Headache

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Nausea And Vomiting

Take FLAGYL SUSPENSION with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if the symptoms are worsening.

Skin Rash Or Itching

Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate your skin further. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if your skin rash worsens.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

Monitoring required

FLAGYL SUSPENSION is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

BREASTFEEDING

Contraindicated

FLAGYL SUSPENSION may pass through breast milk. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. However, consult your doctor before taking it.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Use with Caution

FLAGYL SUSPENSION may cause dizziness, sleepiness, hallucination or confusion. Therefore, do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by this medicine.

ALCOHOL

Consult your doctor

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking FLAGYL SUSPENSION as it may cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, hot flashes, irregular heartbeat and headache.

KIDNEY

Use with Caution

FLAGYL SUSPENSION should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems (including dialysis). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

LIVER

Use with Caution

FLAGYL SUSPENSION should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

ALLERGY

Contraindicated

Do not take FLAGYL SUSPENSION if you are allergic to Metronidazole or similar nitroimidazoles (such as tinidazole).

USE IN PEDIATRICS

Use with Caution

FLAGYL SUSPENSION should be used with caution in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

USE IN GERIATRICS

Use with Caution

FLAGYL SUSPENSION should be used with caution in elderly patients. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

OTHERS

Before taking FLAGYL SUSPENSION, inform your doctor if you:

• have any diseases affecting your nervous system
• have Cockayne syndrome (a rare genetic disorder characterized by short stature, low intellectual ability and neurological problems)
• have blood dyscrasias (a blood condition affecting blood components, bone marrow, lymph and blood vessels)

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking FLAGYL SUSPENSION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• anti-coagulants (medicines used for thinning the blood) Ex. warfarin
• lithium (a medicine used to manage mental illness)
• medicines used to manage fits (convulsions) Ex. phenytoin, primidone, phenobarbitone
• medicines used to manage blood cancer and other forms of cancer (Ex. 5-fluorouracil, busulfan)
• ciclosporin, tacrolimus (medicines used to manage rejection of organs after transplantation)
• disulfiram (medicine used to manage alcoholism)
• alcohol
• cimetidine (a medicine used to manage stomach ulcers)
• rifampicin (a medicine used to manage tuberculosis)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took too much of FLAGYL SUSPENSION, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep FLAGYL SUSPENSION out of reach of children
• Do not store above 25°C