Patient was educated on the side effects of using Metronidazole as follows:
- Nausea and vomiting
- This is the most common side effect of Metronidazole. Taking the antibiotic with some food and water can minimize the effects of nausea and vomiting.
- Dyspepsia
- Metronidazole typically causes stomach upset and metallic taste in the mouth.
- Diarrhea
- Human intestines have a lot of bacteria, both good and bad, living in a sensitive balance with each other.
- This helps maintain the normal natural intestinal environment. Metronidazole works by killing the bacteria.
- While doing this, Metronidazole does not differentiate between good and bad bacteria.
- Consequently, apart from killing the bad infectious bacteria, Metronidazole also kills the good bacteria in the intestinal system, thus compromising the balance between good and bad bacteria.
- This can result in reduction in the number of good bacteria and increase in the number of Metronidazole resistant bad bacteria, leading to irritation of the intestinal mucosa and diarrhea.
- Burning sensation to the urine
- Metronidazole use can result in dark brown discoloration to the urine with burning sensation.
- This is temporary and clears once Metronidazole is discontinued.
