Patients in the Untied States have access to two forms of the prescription medication Metrogel. Both products contain the antibacterial drug metronidazole, but the products have different uses. The first product, named just Metrogel, treats the inflammatory skin disease rosacea. Metrogel Vaginal has a specific U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indication for treating the sexually transmitted disease, bacterial vaginosis. Because Metrogel and Metrogel Vaginal have different ingredients, they have slightly different side effects and instructions for use.
Rosacea Use
Galderma markets Metrogel 1 percent as a once-a-day treatment for reducing the number of rosacea lesions patients experience once they begin having an outbreak. Use of Metrogel can continue for 10 weeks or longer, and patients should wash and dry affected areas thoroughly before applying a thin film of Metrogel.
Bacterial Vaginosis Use
Originally produced by 3M Pharmaceuticals, Metrogel Vaginal 0.75 percent is now available from Graceway Pharmaceuticals for a 5-day course of treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Patients should apply an entire applicator full of the medication right before bedtime. Metrogel Vaginal should not be applied externally and must be kept away from the eyes and mouth.
Side Effects for Rosacea Patients
Moderate skin dryness, scaling, itching and burning happen most frequently among people using Metrogel to treat rosacea. No more than 4 percent of patients reported other any specific side effects from using Metrogel during clinic trials. These less-frequent problems included upper respiratory tract infections, nose and throat irritation and headache.
Side Effects for Bacterial Vaginosis Patients
During clinical studies, patients using Metrogel Vaginal most often reported discharge, secondary yeast infections, irritation of the vulva, stomach upset and headache as side effects.
Warnings
Patients with a history of central nervous disorders or with alcohol addictions should not use Metrogel Vaginal because the product's active ingredient has been linked with seizures and psychotic reactions in patients using metronidazole in oral and intravenous formulation. These warnings do not appear in the prescribing information for Metrogel. Both Metrogel and Metrogel Vaginal should be used with caution in patients taking anti-clotting drugs.
Similar Products
Brand-name gel formulations of metronidazole are available as Noritate from Sanofi Aventis and as Vandazole from Teva. Altana, Taro and Tolmar produce generic metronidazole gels.
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