Metronidazole – howMed

Metronidazole is a prodrug itself, activated by reduction of nitro group.

Structure

Mechanism Of Action

Protozoa get energy by ketoacids e.g. pyruvates. This mechanism is described as:

The active form:

  1. affects DNA structure
  2. react with other proteins and molecules in protozoa and some anaerobic bacteria.

In DNA:

  1. loss of helical structure
  2. strand breakage may occur
  3. intercalation when molecules fits between base pairs.
Mechanism of resistance

1. These protozoa are anaerobic, thus have mechanisms for scavenging oxygen or ROS. If mechanisms which scavenge oxygen are effected, decreased clearance of ROS occur leading to excess and decreased reduction of nitro group of metronidazole due to competitive inhibition with reduction reaction. 2. In ETC,

i. PFOR

ii. Ferridoxin are important

Now in some there is decreased PFOR and ferridoxin probably due to chromosomal mutations, leading to decreased action of drug.

This can occur by:

  1. Increasing the dose
  2. Prolonging therapy

This resistance is seen in:

  1. Giardiasis
  2. Trichomonas infection
  3. Microaerophilic bacteria i.e.
    • H. pylori
    • Campylobacter species

Resistance is not seen in E. histolytica.

Spectrum of activity

A)     Anaerobic protozoa

  1. E. histolytica
  2. T. viginalis
  3. B. coli
  4. Giardia lamblia and G. intestinalis

B)      Anaerobic bacteria

Both gram positive and negative.

  1. Bacteroides species esp. B. fragilis
  2. Clostridial spp
  3. Peptococcus
  4. Peptostreptococcus in oral cavity, so used by dentisits
  5. Fusobacterium
  6. eubacterium

C)     Microaerophilic bacteria

  1. H. pylori
  2. Campylobacter spp

D)     Adult dracunculis medinensis (Guinae worm)–

  1. Especially metronidazole aids extraction of worm
  2. Does not kill the worm
Therapeutic Uses
Spectrum Therapeutic uses
E. Histolytica
  1. Acute intestinal amoebiasis
  2. Hepatic amoebiasis
  3. Amoeboma
  4. Tissue amoebiasis

Oral tablets

I/V infusion in severe cases 3 times per day

7-10 day course -400 mg tablets thrice daily
T. Vaginalis Vaginal & urethral Trichornoniasis

Treat both male and femal patients

2g/day in OD dose
Giardia lamblia Giardiasis

250 mg thrice daily for 7-10 days.
Ballantidium coli Ballantidiasis
Anaerobes

Bacteroides fragilis

Helicobacter pylori

 Pelvic and other below the diaphragm anaerobic infections(appendicitis, combined with penicillin or aminoglycosides)

Triple regime is used.

  • Indolent ulcers
  • Peptic ulcer

Also used in NSAIDS induced ulcers. Used in combination with:

  1. Amoxicillin
  2. Clarithromycin
  3. Proton pump inhibitors e.g. omeprazole
Gardenella vaginalis
  1. Gardenella vaginalis infection
  2. Non specific vaginitis
Peptococcus

Peptostreptococcus

Fusobacterium
  1. Acute ulcerative gingivitis
  2. Cancrum oris causing gangrene and scars
  3. Other dental infections

Used with penicillins
Other Uses
  1. Crohn’s disease
  2. Guinea worm infestation (extraction)
  3. Pseudomembranous enterocolitis due to prolonged use of ampicillin or clindamycin, etc. Metronidazole is drug of choice. Vancomycin can be used (its only oral indication).

Pharmacokinetics

  1. Oral, I/V, vaginal creams or even topical preparations
  2. Very well absorbed, very little reaches colon, so usually combined with luminal anti-amoebics e.g. Diloxinide etc.
  3. Distribution is equal to total body water
  4. PPB is