Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (267 page)

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

metroNIDAZOLE (Rx)

(me-troe-ni′da-zole)

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, Flagyl IV, Flagyl IV RTU, Florazone ER
, Novo-Nidazol

Func. class.:
Antiinfective—miscellaneous

Chem. class.:
Nitroimidazole derivative

ACTION:

Direct-acting amebicide/trichomonacide binds and disrupts DNA structure, thereby inhibiting bacterial nucleic acid synthesis

USES:

Intestinal amebiasis, amebic abscess, trichomoniasis, refractory trichomoniasis, bacterial anaerobic infections, giardiasis, septicemia, endocarditis; bone, joint, lower respiratory tract infections; rosacea

Unlabeled uses:
Crohn’s disease, urethritis, amebiasis due to
Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba polecki
, giardiasis, pruritus; gastric ulcer, dyspepsia
(H. pylori)
, pseudomembranous colitis, guinea worm disease, periodontitis

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnancy 1st trimester, breastfeeding, hypersensitivity to this product

Precautions:
Pregnancy (B) 2nd/3rd trimesters, geriatric patients,
Candida
infections, heart failure, fungal infection, dental disease, bone marrow suppression, hematologic disease, GI/renal/hepatic disease, contracted visual or color fields, blood dyscrasias, CNS disorders

 

Black Box Warning:

Secondary malignancy

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Trichomoniasis

• Adult:
PO
500 mg bid × 7 days or 2 g as single dose; do not repeat treatment for 4-6 wk

• Child (unlabeled):
PO
15 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses × 7-10 days

• Infant (unlabeled):
PO
10-30 mg/kg/day × 5-8 days

Refractory trichomoniasis

• Adult:
PO
250 mg bid × 10 days

Amebic hepatic abscess

• Adult:
PO
500-750 mg tid × 5-10 days

• Child:
PO
35-50 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses × 10 days

Intestinal amebiasis

• Adult:
PO
750 mg tid × 5-10 days

• Child:
PO
35-50 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses × 10 days then oral iodoquinol

Anaerobic bacterial infections

• Adult:
IV INF
15 mg/kg over 1 hr then 7.5 mg/kg
IV
or
PO
q6hr, not to exceed 4 g/day; 1st maintenance dose should be administered 6 hr after loading dose

Bacterial vaginosis

• Adult:
PO
regular rel 500 mg bid or 250 mg tid × 7 days; ext rel 750 mg/day × 7 days

Persistent urethritis (unlabeled)

• Adult and adolescent:
PO
2 g as single dose with azithromycin

Dientamoeba fragilis
(unlabeled)

• Child:
PO
250 mg tid × 7 days

Entamoeba polecki
(unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
750 mg tid × 10 days

• Child:
PO
30-50 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses × 5-10 days

Guinea worm disease (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
250 mg tid × 10 days

• Child:
PO
25 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses × 10 days

Crohn’s disease (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
250 mg tid-qid

Giardiasis (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
250 mg tid × 5-7 days

• Child:
PO
15 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses × 5 days

Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
500 mg 3-4×/day × 10-14 days;
IV
500 mg q8hr

• Child:
PO/IV
30 mg/kg/day (max 2 g) divided q6hr × 10 days

Available forms:
Tabs 250, 500 mg; ext rel tab (ER) 750 mg; caps 375 mg; inj 500 mg/100 ml; powder for inj 500-mg single dose

Administer:
PO route

• 
Do not break, crush, or chew ext rel product

• 
PO with or after meals to avoid GI symptoms, metallic taste; crush tabs if needed

IV route
Intermittent INF ([Flagyl] IV RTU)

• 
Prediluted, ready to use; inf over 30-60 min

• 
Lyophilized vials: dilute with 4.4 ml sterile water, 0.9% NaCl; must be diluted further with ≥8 mg/ml 0.9% NaCl, D
5
W, or LR; must neutralize with 5 mEq NaCO
3
/500 mg; CO
2
gas will be generated and may require venting; run over ≥1 hr; primary IV must be discontinued; may be given as cont inf; do not use aluminum products; IV may require venting

• 
Do not use aluminum needles or other products to prepare product

Y-site compatibilities:
Acyclovir, alemtuzumab, alfentanil, allopurinol, amifostine, amikacin, aminophylline, amiodarone, ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, anidulafungin, atracurium, bivalirudin, bumetanide, buprenorphine, busulfan, butorphanol, calcium acetate/chloride/gluconate, CARBOplatin, ceFAZolin, cefepime, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefoTEtan, cefTRIAXone, cefuroxime, chloramphenicol, chlorproMAZINE, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, cisatracurium, CISplatin, clindamycin, codeine, cyclophosphamide, cycloSPORINE, cytarabine, DACTINomycin, dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine, dexrazoxane, digoxin, diltiazem, dimenhyDRINATE, diphenhydrAMINE, DOBUTamine, DOCEtaxel, DOPamine, doripenem, doxacurium, doxapram, DOXOrubicin, DOXOrubicin liposome, doxycycline, droperidol, enalaprilat, ePHEDrine, EPINEPHrine, epirubicin, eptifibatide, ertapenem, erythromycin, esmolol, etoposide, etoposide phosphate, famotidine, fenoldopam, fentaNYL, fluconazole, fludarabine, fluo
rouracil, foscarnet, fosphenytoin, furosemide, gemcitabine, gentamicin, glycopyrrolate, granisetron, haloperidol, heparin, hydrALAZINE, hydrocortisone, HYDROmorphone, IDArubicin, ifosfamide, imipenem/cilastatin, inamrinone, insulin, isoproterenol, ketorolac, labetalol, leucovorin, levofloxacin, lidocaine, linezolid, LORazepam, magnesium sulfate, mannitol, mechlorethamine, melphalan, meperidine, meropenem, mesna, metaraminol, methotrexate, methyldopate, methylPREDNISolone, metoclopramide, metoprolol, midazolam, milrinone, mitoXANtrone, morphine, nafcillin, nalbuphine, naloxone, nesiritide, niCARdipine, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, norepinephrine, octreotide, ondansetron, oxaliplatin, oxytocin, PACLitaxel, palonosetron, pancuronium, pentamidine, pentazocine, PENTobarbital, perphenazine, PHENobarbital, phentolamine, phenylephrine, piperacillin/tazobactam, potassium chloride/phosphates, prochlorperazine, promethazine, propranolol, ranitidine, remifentanil, riTUXimab, rocuronium, sargramostim, sodium acetate/bicarbonate/phosphates, streptozocin, succinylcholine, SUFentanil, tacrolimus, teniposide, theophylline, thiopental, thiotepa, ticarcillin/clavulanate, tigecycline, tirofiban, tobramycin, trastuzumab, trimethobenzamide, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, vasopressin, vecuronium, verapamil, vinCRIStine, vinorelbine, voriconazole, zidovudine, zoledronic acid

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache, dizziness
, confusion, irritability, restlessness, ataxia, depression, fatigue, drowsiness, insomnia, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy,
seizures,
incoordination, depression, encephalopathy,
aseptic meningitis

CV:
Flattening of T waves

EENT:
Blurred vision, sore throat, retinal edema, dry mouth, metallic taste, furry tongue, glossitis, stomatitis, photophobia, optic neuritis

GI:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
, epigastric distress,
anorexia
, constipation,
abdominal cramps
,
pseudomembranous colitis

GU:
Darkened urine, vaginal dryness, polyuria,
albuminuria,
dysuria, cystitis, decreased libido,
nephrotoxicity,
incontinence, dyspareunia, candidiasis

HEMA:
Leukopenia, bone marrow, depression, aplasia, thrombocytopenia

INTEG:
Rash, pruritus, urticaria, flushing,
Stevens-Johnson syndrome

PHARMACOKINETICS

Crosses placenta, enters breast milk, metabolized by liver 30%-60%, excreted in urine (60%-80%), half-life 6-8 hr

PO:
Peak 1-2 hr, absorbed 80%-85%

IV:
Onset immediate, peak end of inf

INTERACTIONS

• 
Avoid use with zalcitabine, bortezomib, norfloxacin

• 
Do not use with amprenavir

Decrease:
metroNIDAZOLE half-life—barbiturates

Decrease:
metroNIDAZOLE—cholestyramine

Increase:
disulfiram reaction—alcohol

Increase:
busulfan toxicity—busulfan; avoid concurrent use

Increase:
metroNIDAZOLE level—cimetidine

Increase:
lithium, CYP3A4 substrates

Increase:
action of warfarin, phenytoin, lithium, fosphenytoin

Increase:
leukopenia—azaTHIOprine, fluorouracil

Drug/Lab Test

Altered:
AST, ALT, LDH

Decrease:
WBC, neutrophils

False decrease:
triglycerides

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Infection:
WBC, wound symptoms, fever, skin or vaginal secretions; start treatment after C&S; for opportunistic fungal infections; superinfection: fever, monilial growth, fatigue, malaise

• 
Stools during entire treatment; should be clear at end of therapy; stools should
be free of parasites for 1 yr before patient considered cured (amebiasis)

• 
Vision by ophthalmic exam during, after therapy; vision problems often occur

 
Neurotoxicity:
peripheral neuropathy, seizures, dizziness, uncoordination, pruritus, joint pain; product may be discontinued

• 
Allergic reaction:
fever, rash, itching, chills; product should be discontinued if these occur

• 
Renal, reproductive dysfunction: dysuria, polyuria, impotence, dyspareunia, decreased libido, I&O; weight daily

 

Black Box Warning:

Secondary malignancy:
use only when indicated; avoid unnecessary use

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage in light-resistant container; do not refrigerate

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased symptoms of infection

Teach patient/family:

• 
That urine may turn dark reddish brown; that product may cause metallic taste

• 
About proper hygiene after bowel movement; handwashing technique

• 
To notify physician about numbness or tingling of extremities

• 
To avoid hazardous activities because dizziness can occur

• 
About need for compliance with dosage schedule, duration of treatment

• 
To use condoms if treatment for trichomoniasis or cross-contamination may occur; to notify prescriber if pregnant or planning to become pregnant; that treatment of both partners is necessary for trichomoniasis

• 
To use frequent sips of water, sugarless gum, candy for dry mouth

• 
Not to drink alcohol or use preparations containing alcohol during use or for 48 hr after use of product; disulfiram-like reaction can occur

• 
To notify if pregnancy is planned or suspected, pregnancy (B) 2nd/3rd trimester in trichomoniasis

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