Molecular Formula: C6H9N3O3
Molecular weight: 171.15 g/mol
CAS No: 443-48-1
General Properties:
Metronidazole is a white to pale-yellow crystalline powder with a slight odor. Bitter and saline taste. pH (saturated aqueous solution) about 6.5.
Metronidazole is a member of the class of imidazoles substituted at C-1, -2 and -5 with 2-hydroxyethyl, nitro and methyl groups respectively. It has activity against anaerobic bacteria and protozoa, and has a radiosensitising effect on hypoxic tumour cells. It may be given by mouth in tablets, or as the benzoate in an oral suspension. The hydrochloride salt can be used in intravenous infusions. Metronidazole is a prodrug and is selective for anaerobic bacteria due to their ability to intracellularly reduce the nitro group of metronidazole to give nitroso-containing intermediates. These can covalently bind to DNA, disrupting its helical structure, inducing DNA strand breaks and inhibiting bacterial nucleic acid synthesis, ultimately resulting in bacterial cell death. It has a role as an antitrichomonal drug, a prodrug, an antibacterial drug, an antimicrobial agent, an antiparasitic agent, a xenobiotic, an environmental contaminant, a radiosensitizing agent and an antiamoebic agent. It is a member of imidazoles, a C-nitro compound and a primary alcohol. It is a conjugate base of a metronidazole(1+).
Metronidazole is a commonly used antibiotic, belonging to the nitroimidazole class of antibiotics. It is frequently used to treat gastrointestinal infections as well as trichomoniasis and giardiasis, and amebiasis which are parasitic infections. Metronidazole has been used as an antibiotic for several decades, with added antiparasitic properties that set it apart from many other antibacterial drugs, allowing it to treat a wide variety of infections. It is available in capsule form, tablet form, and topical form, and suppository preparations for the treatment of various infections.
Indication:
Metronidazole injection is used to treat serious bacterial infections in different areas of the body. It is also used to prevent infections in the bowels before and after surgery for some patients. Metronidazole belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics.
