You should not use Flagyl if you recently drank alcohol, or have taken disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 2 weeks.
Do not use metronidazole to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
Do not drink alcohol or consume foods or medicines that contain propylene glycol while you are taking Flagyl and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it.
Seizures and other nervous system abnormalities have been reported in patients treated with Flagyl. You should stop using this medicine immediately if you experience any neurological symptoms such as seizures, headaches, visual changes, weakness, numbness, or tingling.
This medicine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
In animal studies (mice and rats), this medicine caused certain types of cancers or tumors. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using this medicine. Ask your doctor about your risk
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Flagyl if you are allergic to metronidazole, secnidazole, or tinidazole, or if:
you recently drank alcohol; or
you took disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 14 days.
Do not take metronidazole during the first trimester of pregnancy. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
To make sure Flagyl is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
a heart rhythm disorder;
Cockayne syndrome (a rare genetic disorder);
a stomach or intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease;
a blood cell disorder such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
a fungal infection anywhere in your body; or
a nerve disorder.
In animal studies, metronidazole caused certain types of tumors, some of which were cancerous. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk.
You should not breastfeed within 24 hours after using Flagyl. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.
