Filmet 200mg Tablet

✔️ Uses of Filmet 200mg Tablet

Filmet 200mg Tablet is used to treat various bacterial and parasitic infections in the body such as:

• Amoebiasis and Giardiasis (a parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea with stomach cramps)
• Infection of the genital or urinary tract (such as trichomonas vaginitis)
• Blood infections
• Brain infections (such as meningitis)
• Lung infections
• Stomach infections (Ex. H. pylori infection)
• Infection of the pelvic area
• Gum and teeth infection
• Infected leg ulcers or pressure sores

It also helps in preventing post-surgical infections and infections following childbirth.

✔️ How does Filmet 200mg Tablet work?

Filmet 200mg Tablet works by interfering with the DNA formation in the bacterial cell and stopping the protein synthesis. This action kills the bacteria and prevents infection from spreading.

✔️ Side Effects of Filmet 200mg Tablet

• Skin Rash
• Bleeding gums
• Constipation
• Dark urine
• Agitation
• Blurred vision
• Burning or tingling sensation of hands and feet
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Fast heartbeat
• Stomach ache
• Metallic taste

✔️ Quick Suggestions:

• Metronidazole is an effective medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria and parasites.
• However, it may lead to side effects such as nausea, stomach upset, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
• To minimize the risk of side effects, it is crucial to take metronidazole as prescribed by your doctor.
• One important precaution to be aware of is avoiding alcohol consumption during the course of treatment with metronidazole and for 2-3 days after completing the treatment.
• Alcohol use during this period can lead to unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, flushing, and headache.
• If you have a history of liver disease, it is essential to inform your doctor, as your dose of metronidazole may need to be adjusted, especially in cases of severe liver disease.
• Always follow your doctor's instructions and never alter the dosage without consulting them first.

✔️ Indication

• Filmet 200mg Tablet is used to treat parasitic infections such as amoebiasis.
• It is used to prevent sexually transmitted infections such as urogenital trichomoniasis or giardiasis.
• It is also used to treat infections of the gums, teeth, and skin due to various infective microorganisms.

✔️ Pharmacology

The mechanism of action of metronidazole. Metronidazole is a prodrug that gets converted to reduction products in anaerobic microorganisms. These reduction products then interact with DNA, causing breaks in the helical structure and DNA strand, ultimately leading to inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death in susceptible organisms. It is effective against a wide range of anaerobic protozoa and some gram-positive, gram-negative, and facultative anaerobic bacteria. Due to its broad-spectrum activity against various microorganisms, metronidazole is widely used to treat various infections caused by these organisms.

✔️ Dosage & Administration of Filmet 200mg Tablet

The dosage of Filmet 200mg Tablet in various infections for both adults and children. Here are the summarized dosing instructions:

Trichomoniasis:

• Adults: 200 mg three times a day or 400 mg twice a day for 7 days
• Children (7-10 years): 100 mg three times a day

Intestinal Amoebiasis:

• Adults: 800 mg three times a day for 5 days
• Children (7-10 years): 400 mg three times a day

Extra-intestinal & Asymptomatic Amoebiasis:

• Adults: 400-800 mg three times a day for 5-10 days
• Children (7-10 years): 200-400 mg three times a day

Giardiasis:

• Adults: 2 gm once daily for 3 days
• Children (7-10 years): 1 gm once daily

Acute Ulcerative Gingivitis:

• Adults: 200 mg three times a day for 3 days
• Children (7-10 years): 100 mg three times a day

Acute Dental Infections:

• Adults: 200 mg three times a day for 3-7 days

Bacterial Vaginosis:

• Adults: 400 mg twice a day for 7 days

Leg Ulcers and Pressure Sores:

• Adults: 400 mg three times a day for 7 days

Anaerobic Infections:

• Adults: 800 mg initially and then 400 mg three times a day for 7 days

Surgical Prophylaxis:

• Adults: 400 mg three times a day, started 24 hours before surgery for 1 day

The tablet should be taken with a glass of water, preferably during or just after meals. The exact dosage and duration of therapy will be determined by your doctor based on your age, body weight, and the severity of the infection. It's essential to follow the prescribed regimen and not skip doses to ensure effective control over the infection.

✔️ Interaction

Taking Filmet 200mg Tablet with certain medications can lead to potential drug interactions and adverse effects. Here are the summarized interactions to be cautious of:

1. Lithium: Concomitant use with Filmet 200mg Tablet can cause kidney damage.
2. Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin): Taking Filmet 200mg Tablet with anticoagulants may potentiate the anticoagulant effects.
3. Disulfiram: Concomitant use with Filmet 200mg Tablet can cause mental disorders like hallucinations.
4. Oral contraceptives: Filmet 200mg Tablet may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives; additional physical barrier contraception should be used for effective contraception.
5. Immunosuppressants (e.g., Ciclosporin): Be cautious when taking immunosuppressants with Filmet 200mg Tablet as it can increase the levels of ciclosporin in the body.
6. Antacids (e.g., Cimetidine), Fluorouracil, Phenytoin, Primidone: These medications may affect the activity of Filmet 200mg Tablet.

It's crucial to discuss with your doctor any other medications, herbal preparations, or supplements you or your child are currently taking to avoid potential drug interactions. Informing your doctor about all your medications will help ensure safe and effective treatment.

✔️ Contraindications

• If you are allergic to metronidazole or other ingredients of the Filmet 200mg Tablet.
• If you are pregnant (first trimester) or are breastfeeding.
• If you are suffering from a bacterial infection in the vagina.

✔️ Pregnancy & Lactation

Metronidazole is classified as a pregnancy category B medication by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Pregnancy category B indicates that animal reproduction studies have not shown any adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Because the safety of metronidazole during pregnancy has not been definitively established, it should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. The decision to use metronidazole in pregnant women should be made by the healthcare provider after considering the individual circumstances and severity of the condition being treated.

Additionally, metronidazole can be excreted in human milk, and caution should be exercised when administering the medication to breastfeeding mothers. If metronidazole is deemed necessary for the breastfeeding mother's treatment, the healthcare provider will carefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits for both the mother and the infant.

✔️ Precautions & Warnings

If metronidazole is prescribed for a longer duration than usual, certain precautions should be taken, and patients need to be monitored closely for adverse effects. Some important considerations include:

• Regular Hematological Tests: If metronidazole is used for an extended period, regular hematological tests, especially leucocyte counts, should be performed to monitor for any potential blood-related side effects.
• Watch for Adverse Responses: Patients should be closely monitored for adverse reactions, particularly peripheral or central neuropathy, which may present as symptoms like paresthesia (tingling or numbness), ataxia (loss of coordination), dizziness, and convulsive seizures.
• Hepatic Encephalopathy: Metronidazole should be used with caution in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (a brain disorder caused by liver dysfunction).
• Urine Discoloration: Metronidazole may cause a harmless discoloration of the urine, and patients should be informed about this effect to avoid unnecessary concern.
• CNS Diseases: In patients with central nervous system (CNS) diseases, intravenous (IV) therapy should be discontinued immediately if abnormal neurologic symptoms occur.
• Seizure Disorder: Metronidazole should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorders.
• Blood Dyscrasias: Metronidazole should be used with caution in patients with evidence or a history of blood dyscrasias (abnormalities in blood cell counts). Total and differential leukocyte counts should be performed before and after treatment.
• Severe Hepatic Impairment: Patients with severe hepatic impairment should have their plasma levels of metronidazole monitored.
• Predisposition to Edema: Injectable forms of metronidazole contain sodium and should be used with caution in patients predisposed to edema (fluid retention).
• Superinfection: Prolonged use of metronidazole may lead to the development of fungal or bacterial superinfections, where new infections occur on top of the existing ones.
• Excretion in Human Milk: Metronidazole is excreted in human milk and is generally not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.

As with any medication, it is crucial for patients to follow their doctor's instructions carefully and report any concerning symptoms or side effects promptly. This will help ensure safe and effective treatment with metronidazole.

✔️ Storage Conditions

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.