Zinplava vs. Flagyl

• Are Zinplava and Flagyl the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zinplava?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flagyl?
• What Is Zinplava?
• What Is Flagyl?
• What Drugs Interact with Zinplava?
• What Drugs Interact with Flagyl?
• How Should Zinplava Be Taken?
• How Should Flagyl Be Taken?

Zinplava (bezlotoxumab) injection and Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) are used to treat Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).

Flagyl is also used to treat bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.

Zinplava and Flagyl belong to different drug classes. Zinplava is a human monoclonal antibody and Flagyl is an antimicrobial.

Side effects of Zinplava and Flagyl that are similar include nausea and headache.

Side effects of Zinplava that are different from Flagyl include fever.

Side effects of Flagyl that are different from Zinplava include abdominal cramps, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, dizziness, dry mouth, dark-colored urine, and a metallic taste in the mouth or changes in taste.

Zinplava may interact with other drugs.

Flagyl may interact with alcohol, food or medicines that contain propylene glycol, busulfan, lithium, and blood thinners.

Common side effects of Zinplava include:

• nausea,
• fever, and
• headache.

Common 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.

Zinplava (bezlotoxumab) injection is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to Clostridium difficile (C. Diff.) toxin B, indicated to reduce recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients 18 years of age or older who are receiving antibacterial drug treatment of CDI and are at a high risk for CDI recurrence.

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

Zinplava may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Zinplava. It is unknown how it would affect a fetus. It is unknown if Zinplava passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Flagyl may interact with blood thinners or seizure medications.

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

The recommended dose of Zinplava is a single dose of 10 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes.

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.