What Is Metronidazole Gel Used For?

Metronidazole is an antibiotic and is the generic for Flagyl. Metronidazole is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial and/or parasitic infections in the respiratory tract, skin and stomach.

Bacterial Infections

• Metronidazole is used to treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria which do not require oxygen to survive. These infections occur in the blood, bones, joints, central nervous system and heart.

Parasitic Infections

• Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease, is the most common parasitic infection treated with metronidazole. Other parasitic infections treated with metronidazole include giardiasis, small-intestine infection; amebic liver abscess; and amebic dysentery, an infection in the colon.

Respiratory Tract

• Metronidazole is prescribed to treat bacterial infections to include pneumonia, lung abscess and empyema. Empyema is caused when pus collects in the pleural space, between the lung and inside chest wall.

Stomach

• Metronidazole is used to treat bacteria called Heliocobacter pylori, which cause ulcers in the stomach or intestinal tract. It is also prescribed to treat inflammation of the colon caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile.

Skin

• A topical form of metronidazole is available to treat skin conditions to include acne and rosacea. Bacterial vaginosis is also treated using a specific metronidazole vaginal gel.