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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to tell me positive things about metronidazole?

72 replies

Ansumpasty · 08/12/2017 21:48

Started metronidazole for an infected wisdom tooth. Googled it and scared myself half to death. It seems everyone felt awful on it and now I don't know if I'm feeling awful because of the infection or the tablets!

My anxiety is through the roof; can anyone reassure me, please?

OP posts:
RunFatGirlRuuuuuun · 08/12/2017 22:15

Even if you haven't reacted to mouthwash etc avoid it from now. Metronidazole was originally developed as an early antabuse - to produce side effects if you are exposed to alcohol to stop you drinking (the disulfram reaction)

bialystockandbloom · 08/12/2017 22:19

Also, avoid alcohol for at least 24/48 hours even after the course has finished as it's still in your system voice of bitter experience

Snap8TheCat · 08/12/2017 22:20

Also double up on contraception if you’re on the pill.

TooManyPaws · 08/12/2017 22:42

I'm horrendously allergic to it so can only have penicillin for dental abscesses which are relatively frequent (amelogenesis imperfecta) but it works a lot quicker than penicillin.

musicposy · 08/12/2017 22:47

It's fine and I found it good and effective. However, just adding to the voices of experience on here to actually take notice of the warning not to take it with alcohol. I always assumed you could just ignore those warnings. I assumed wrong. Grin

TeacupDrama · 08/12/2017 22:50

There is no effect on contraceptive pill from metronidazole, unless you are sick with it but then it is being sick that is the problem, however there is some evidence but not conclusive that some rifampicine and rifabutin anti biotics affect the effectiveness of the pill

TheSecondOfHerName · 08/12/2017 22:51

It can reduce the risk of sepsis (and death).

anonymousity · 08/12/2017 22:52

I don't think anyone can predict how it will make you feel. It made me violently vomit when I had quinsy (abscess in throat). And I ended up being admitted to have it given intravenously. But I know plenty of people who have had no side effects whatsoever! Fingers crossed you fall into the latter and feel better soon

Ilovetolurk · 08/12/2017 22:54

I had penicillin for the same thing as you for a week with no result, the metronidazole cleared up the infection in no time

It’s like nuclear warfare

CurbsideProphet · 08/12/2017 22:55

I was very unwell and dizzy, though I'm obviously in the minority!

MumOfTwoMasterOfNone · 08/12/2017 22:55

I had it after my second labour. It was significantly better than the sepsis I had after my first Grin

cherrycola2004 · 08/12/2017 23:11

Was on it for 14 days three times with another AB for H Pylori. Was fine just felt a bit sick. Def do not drink alcohol though

Haffiana · 08/12/2017 23:14

I took a couple of courses when I was a student. The other thing to avoid apart from alcohol is smoking. It made me violently sick if I even sniffed someone else's cigarette.

DJBaggySmalls · 08/12/2017 23:16

Dont take probiotics at the same time as antibiotics; take them a week afterwards. Remember, they feed the infection as well as the friendly bacteria.

user1andonly · 08/12/2017 23:49

It did send me a bit loopy when I was on it and cephalexin (sp?) post surgery. I'd avoid either again in future if at all possible, but obviously have to weigh up risks and benefits.

However, my DS2 has had a couple of times for dental abscess with no problems at all and DS1 had appendicitis with complications and ended up being on it for about a month (plus others) with a few courses of IV and about 10 days oral and also had no apparent problems with it so I think it's one of those that you just have to see how you go.

DreamADream · 09/12/2017 00:04

It gave me the shits, which having taken cocodamol for a week was pretty fucking horrific. I felt really shitty when taking it, but within a couple of days I could open my.mouth again, which was a major improvement!

willstarttomorrow · 09/12/2017 00:11

I was terrified after the Google search but it was fine. No alcohol at all (even in food) for 48 hours until the end of the course and take with lots of water.

justilou1 · 09/12/2017 12:39

I've been taking it for three years for rosacea. It's been great for that, and I have no other side effects. I live in Australia, so we are terrified of sun exposure anyway.....

Amanduh · 09/12/2017 13:53

Sometimes makes me feel a bit sick to the stomach. But it ALWAYS works!

NewMinouMinou · 09/12/2017 21:08

It’s all good, OP. It sorted out a kidney infection a few years back. I did feel v tired and weird, but that could have been the infection anyway.

Just watch out for alcohol, as everyone has already said.
Hope you’re better soon.

TrinitySquirrel · 09/12/2017 21:12

It's useless for tooth infections as far as I know yet dentists keep prescribing it. Also it kills everything else in your system too. Have you got the metallic taste yet?

You'll likely get thrush and what seems like contact dematitis.

Awful awful antibiotic in terms of reactions and way over prescribed.

dawnc27 · 09/12/2017 21:20

had to take it over xmas last year for ear infection. started working amazingly quick but omg the thrush that santa fetched me on xmas morning!!! was ready to slice out my bits witha rusty stanley knife! cant comment on the drinking as im pretty much teetotal

Crunchymum · 09/12/2017 21:27

Have taken it a few times over the years. Never had any side effects.

I've always heeded the 'abstain from alcohol for 48h after the last dose' rule though.

HateSummer · 09/12/2017 21:29

I had a chesty cough last year from November to March. Things came to ahead in March when my wisdom tooth got infected aswell. Doctors at A&E gave me metronidazole for 2 weeks. It cleared up my tooth and got rid off the cough, and basically healed my whole body. Good stuff.

Tippytappytoes · 09/12/2017 21:45

I’ve had it more than a few times and concur about not taking it on an empty stomach. Try and eat little and often to keep the nausea at bay. Spicy food helps too. I like to take probiotics at the same time but natural yogurt can be just as good.

It’s not the most plesant of antibiotics but it’s very good at doing it’s job.