Nitroimidazole Antimicrobials
Nitroimidazole antimicrobials are medications used to cure amoebiasis, bacterial vaginosis, parasitic infections, gastrointestinal conditions, skin infections, lower respiratory tract infections, meningitis, diarrhea, rosacea, and other forms of bacterial infections. These substances work by killing the bacteria, causing inflammation and infection.
These medications disrupt the bacteria’s DNA and inhibit the cell wall’s protein synthesis. Inhibition kills the cell and effectively stops the spread of such bacteria. Nitroimidazoles are given as intravenous infusions and are available in topical form for skin infections.
Taking nitroimidazole antimicrobials can induce various side effects that include vomiting, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, headaches, and a bitter taste in the mouth. Some side effects are constipation, dry mouth, and dark-colored urine. Therefore, these antimicrobials must be taken with a doctor’s orders, especially if the patient has a medical history of seizures and blood dyscrasias.
Those who use nitroimidazole antimicrobials must follow the doctor’s orders and use them twice or thrice daily as instructed. In rare cases of extreme overdose, the medication can cause arrhythmias and other peripheral or central neuropathy issues such as paresthesia, dizziness, convulsive seizures, and ataxia.
