Metronidazole Topical

Metronidazole Topical is a prescription medication used to treat inflammatory lesions of rosacea, a type of adult acne. MetroCream may be used alone or with other medications.

• Metronidazole Topical is available under the following different brand names: MetroCream, MetroGel, MetroLotion, Noritate 

Common side effects of Metronidazole Topical include:

• mild burning or stinging,
• numbness or tingly feeling in the hands or feet,
• mild skin redness or irritation,
• dry, scaly, or itchy skin,
• nausea, and
• metallic taste in the mouth
• any worsening symptoms

Serious side effects of Metronidazole Topical include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and
• severe stinging or burning where the medicine is applied

Rare side effects of Metronidazole Topical include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Topical gel

• 1 % (MetroGel)

Topical cream

• 0.75 % (MetroCream)
• 1% (Noritate)

Topical lotion

• 0.75%  (MetroLotion)

Rosacea

Adult dosage

• 1%: Apply topically once a day to the affected area(s)
• 0.75%: Apply topically two times a day to the affected area(s)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Metronidazole Topical has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Metronidazole Topical has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Metronidazole Topical has moderate interactions with no other drugs.
• Metronidazole Topical has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • disulfiram
  • ethanol

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Metronidazole Topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Metronidazole Topical?”

Cautions

• For external use only
• Avoid contact with eyes; tearing may occur
• Nitroimidazole; use caution with evidence or history of blood dyscrasia
• Discontinue use if dermatitis occurs
• Administer with caution in patients with CNS diseases due to the risk of numbness or paresthesia of an extremity

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Available data did not establish an association between metronidazole use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fatal outcomes
• Lactation
  • Not known whether metronidazole is present in human milk after topical administration; published literature reports the presence of the drug in human milk after oral administration
  • There are reports of diarrhea and candida infection in breastfed infants of mothers receiving oral treatment with metronidazole
  • There are no data on the effects of this drug on milk production; because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during therapy