Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Flagyl as follows:
- Flagyl intake can increase the risk for skin rash and photosensitivity. Individuals with history of photosensitivity and taking Flagyl should avoid natural and bright lights or use sunscreens, to prevent any photosensitive responses from developing.
- Long term Flagyl intake can lead to hepatic injury, thus compromising liver function. Also, Flagyl is significantly metabolized by the liver. Hepatic injury and altered liver function can result in increased bilirubin levels in the body, resulting in itching, jaundice with yellowing of skin and sclera, dark urine, altered metabolism with nausea and vomiting, pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant, and fatigue. Also, compromised liver function can lead to reduced metabolism of Flagyl and increased blood levels for longer duration, leading to toxicity. Flagyl should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
- Flagyl is significantly eliminated in urine. Individuals with compromised renal functions cannot eliminate Flagyl and thereby, result in increased blood levels of the drug for longer duration, leading to toxicity. Flagyl should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
- Watch closely for development of any opportunistic infections, such as, oral candidiasis with white patches in the mouth, to be reported to the physician.
