How Long Does Metronidazole Take to Work?
Metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis will begin to work immediately because it is quickly absorbed. It reaches its maximum concentration between one and two hours after you have taken it. Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few days.
Here, we’ll explore how quickly metronidazole works against bacterial vaginosis, why you should finish the course, and give you some self-care tips if you currently have bacterial vaginosis.
How quickly does metronidazole work?
When you take metronidazole tablets (or use metronidazole gel), they start working almost immediately. Because it is so well absorbed by the body, metronidazole reaches its peak concentration in the blood within two hours.
Most people who take metronidazole to treat bacterial vaginosis will feel better within a few days, but it may take a week or longer for some.
Metronidazole
How does metronidazole work?
Metronidazole works by killing the bacteria causing the infection through:
- Diffusing into the bacteria
- Interacting with bacterial DNA to stop more DNA from being made
- Loss of DNA structure causes cell death in the bacteria
Why is it important to complete your course of metronidazole?
It is important to finish the course of metronidazole that your clinician has prescribed, even if you are feeling better. That’s because the infection could come back if you stop your treatment early.
If you finish treatment early, then a small number of bacteria may remain in the body. Without antibiotics, these bacteria numbers can grow and cause the infection to come back.
Where Can I Buy Metronidazole?
The usual treatment for bacterial vaginosis is metronidazole. You can buy Metronidazole online from Prescription Doctor with a private prescription.
To request metronidazole from one of our clinicians, you will need to:
- Fill out a short online medical questionnaire. The answers you provide will let our clinicians assess if metronidazole is an appropriate bacterial vaginosis treatment for you.
- If approved, your order will be delivered the next day. If your order is approved by 3 pm on a weekday, our UK-registered pharmacy will dispatch your medication the same day via a next-day service.
- If your order isn’t approved, you’ll receive a full refund. If our clinician doesn’t think metronidazole is suitable for you, you will receive a full refund as part of Prescription Doctor’s money-back guarantee.
Alternative Treatments For Metronidazole
If metronidazole tablets aren’t right for you, then at Prescription Doctor we can offer Zidoval as an alternative. It is a vaginal gel which contains metronidazole as its active ingredient. Rather than taking a tablet, Zidoval is a gel which is inserted into your vagina and used once daily for five days.
Sources
NHS, 2021. About metronidazole.
NHS, 2022. Bacterial vaginosis.
NIH, 2023. Metronidazole.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, (2023). Bacterial vaginosis: How common is it?
Pfizer, 2023. FLAGYL- metronidazole tablet, film-coated patient leaflet.
UpToDate, 2024. Patient education: Bacterial vaginosis (Beyond the Basics).
Additional Resources
Can You Take Metronidazole When Pregnant?
Why Can't You Drink On Metronidazole?
What Foods To Avoid While Taking Metronidazole?
Why Do I Keep Getting Bacterial Vaginosis?
How Can I Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis?
Authored & Reviewed By
Mohamed Imran Lakhi
MPharm - Lead PharmacistPublished on: 11/08/2023 Reviewed on: 28/06/2024
© 2013 - 2024 Al Muhsineen Limited. All Rights Reserved. Registered Pharmacy: 34 Halliwell Road, Bolton BL1 8RL. Registered Office: 254 First Floor, Shearbrow, Blackburn, England, BB1 8DS
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