WARNINGS
No Information Provided
PRECAUTIONS
General
Metronidazole Gel has been reported to cause tearing of the eyes.
Therefore, contact with the eyes should be avoided. If a reaction suggesting local
irritation occurs, patients should be directed to use the medication less frequently
or discontinue use. Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole and should be used with
care in patients with evidence of, or history of blood dyscrasia.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Metronidazole has shown evidence of carcinogenic activity in a number of studies involving chronic,
oral administration in mice and rats but not in studies involving hamsters.
Metronidazole has shown evidence of mutagenic activity in several in vitro
bacterial assay systems. In addition, a dose-response increase in the frequency
of micronuclei was observed in mice after intraperitoneal injections and an
increase in chromosome aberrations have been reported in patients with Crohn’s
disease who were treated with 200-1200 mg/day of metronidazole for 1 to 24
months. However, no excess chromosomal aberrations in circulating human
lymphocytes have been observed in patients treated for 8 months.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy category B
There has been no experience to date with the use of Metronidazole Gel in
pregnant patients. Metronidazole crosses the placental barrier and enters the fetal
circulation rapidly. No fetotoxicity was observed after oral metronidazole in rats
or mice. However, because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive
of human response and since oral metronidazole has been shown to be a
carcinogen in some rodents, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if
clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers
After oral administration, metronidazole is secreted in breast
milk in concentrations similar to those found in the plasma. Even though
Metronidazole Gel blood levels are significantly lower than those achieved after
oral metronidazole, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or
to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the
mother.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been
established.