CONCOMITANT USE OF (METRO B) AND ALCOHOL.
Disulfiram- like Reaction with Concomitant use of (Metro B) Metronidazole and Alcohol.
(Metro B); Metronidazole is an antibiotic belonging to the class of Nitro imidazoles. Metronidazole exerts it’s antimicrobial activity by inhibiting Nucleic acid synthesis and thereby disrupting DNA and causing strand breakage. This is the mechanism responsible for it’s amoebicidal, bactericidal, and trichomonacidal effects. It is most commonly used for Clostridium difficile-associate Diarrhoea among others. There are different adverse effects that can result from the concomitant intake of alcohol/ethanol and certain prescription medications.
Notable among this, is the use of Alcohol and metronidazole. Under normal metabolism, ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product which is then quickly broken down by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase to be eliminated from the body. In the absence or reduced activity of the dehydrogenase enzyme, acetaldehyde accumulates causing unpleasant effects, including; Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flushing, tachycardia, throbbing headaches, and syncope.
In severe cases, patients may experience respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmias, convulsions, and death. Metronidazole is an inhibitor of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and hence can result in disulfiram-like reaction when used together with alcohol or alcohol-containing preparations such as mouth wash, cough syrups, Elixirs especially those for paediatric patients may contain high concentration of alcohol. When these agents are used concomitantly with alcohol, disulfiram-like reaction may occur.
Safety Tips The use of Alcohol (and alcohol-containing preparations) with (Metro B) Metronidazole is not recommended. Alcohol should not be used within three days following cessation of use of Metronidazole to avoid disulfiram-like reaction, which is a threat to patient well-being.
