Flagyl vs. Flagyl ER

• Are Flagyl and Flagyl ER the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flagyl?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flagyl ER?
• What is Flagyl?
• What is Flagyl ER?
• What drugs interact with Flagyl?
• What drugs interact with Flagyl ER?
• How Should Flagyl Be Taken?
• How Should Flagyl ER Be Taken?

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) are antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.

The difference is that Flagyl is the regular form of metronidazole while Flagyl ER is an extended-release formula.

Side effects of Flagyl include:

• nausea,
• abdominal cramps,
• stomach upset,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• headache,
• weight loss (anorexia),
• dizziness,
• dry mouth,
• dark-colored urine, or
• a metallic taste in the mouth or changes in taste.

Uncomfortable side effects that may become serious are:

• fevers,
• pain with urination,
• mouth sores,
• tingling or pricking sensations that may become permanent,
• brain disease, and
• seizures.

Serious but unlikely side effects of Flagyl include:

• unsteadiness,
• seizures,
• mood changes,
• numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, and
• painful urination.

Common side effects of Flagyl ER include:

• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• abdominal cramps,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• headache,
• weight loss (anorexia),
• dizziness,
• loss of balance,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• dry mouth,
• unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth,
• cough,
• sneezing,
• runny or stuffy nose, or
• swollen or sore tongue

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) are antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.

What is Flagyl ER?

Flagyl ER (metronidazole) are all almost identical antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial vaginosis (mainly Flagyl ER), trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.

Flagyl may interact with blood thinners or seizure medications.

Flagyl may also interact with cimetidine, lithium, or disulfiram.

Flagyl ER may interact with alcohol, cimetidine, seizure medications, blood thinners, lithium, or disulfiram. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Flagyl is supplied in 250 and 500 mg strength tablets, Flagyl ER is available in 750 mg strength tablets, and Flagyl Injection in 500 mg strength in a buffered 100 ml vial. Dosage is quite variable and dependent upon the severity of disease and other considerations made by the treating physician. Most of the serious side effects may occur with any of these three preparations of Flagyl. Flagyl may cause liver enzyme levels to increase; lithium and creatinine levels should be checked to avoid lithium toxicity or renal compromise. Alcohol may increase the side effects of Flagyl. Patients on disulfiram should not take Flagyl until they have had a two week interval without taking disulfiram, especially alcoholic patients, to avoid psychotic reactions. Treatment in pregnant women (during first 3 months is not advised) or women who are breastfeeding should only be done if the benefits outweigh the potential problems. Flagyl passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Except for use in amebiasis, studies in pediatric patients are not available; Flagyl ER has no pediatric studies.

Flagyl is supplied in 250 and 500 mg strength tablets, Flagyl ER is available in 750 mg strength tablets, and Flagyl Injection in 500 mg strength in a buffered 100 ml vial. Dosage is quite variable and dependent upon the severity of disease and other considerations made by the treating physician. Treatment in pregnant women (during first 3 months is not advised) or women who are breastfeeding should only be done if the benefits outweigh the potential problems; Flagyl levels approach serum levels in breast milk. Except for use in amebiasis, studies in pediatric patients are not available; Flagyl ER has no pediatric studies.