metrolotion
Metrolotion (Metronidazole) is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial used to treat Abscess, Amebiasis, Bacteroides Infections, Bacterial Endocarditis.
Metronidazole · by Galderma Labs LP
Available as a generic: Metronidazole
⚠ FDA reports a current shortage of the injection form — availability differs between suppliers — see drug shortages →Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Metronidazole
- Drug class
- Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial
- Form
- Topical
- Strength
- Metronidazole 0.75%
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- abscess, amebiasis, bacteroides infections
- Manufacturer
- Galderma Labs LP
- Half-life
- about 8 hours (how long it stays in your system)
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$0.10 per gm — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA020901
What is Metrolotion?
From the FDA label:Metronidazole Topical Lotion contains metronidazole, USP, at a concentration of 7.5 mg per gram (0.75% w/w) in a lotion consisting of benzyl alcohol, carbomer 941, cyclomethicone, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, light mineral oil, PEG-100 stearate, polyethylene glycol 400, potassium sorbate, purified water, steareth-21, stearyl alcohol, and sodium hydroxide and/or lactic acid to adjust pH. Metronidazole is an imidazole and is classified therapeutically as an antiprotozoal and antibacterial agent. Chemically, metronidazole is 2-methyl-5-nitro-1 H -imidazole-1-ethanol. The molecular formula is C 6 H 9 N 3 O 3 and molecular weight is 171.16. Metronidazole is represented by the following structural formula: metro-chem-struct
How to use
Apply a thin layer to entire affected areas after washing. Use morning and evening or as directed by physician. Avoid application close to the eyes. Patients may use cosmetics after waiting for the MetronidazoleTopical Lotion to dry (not less than 5 minutes).
Side effects
In a controlled clinical trial, safety data from 141 patients who used Metronidazole Topical Lotion (n=71), or the lotion vehicle (n=70), twice daily and experienced a local cutaneous adverse event which may or may not have been related to the treatments include: local allergic reaction, Metronidazole Topical Lotion 2 (3%), lotion vehicle 0; contact dermatitis, Metronidazole Topical Lotion 2 (3%), lotion vehicle 1 (1%); pruritus, Metronidazole Topical Lotion 1 (1%), lotion vehicle 0; skin discomfort (burning and stinging), Metronidazole Topical Lotion 1 (1%), lotion vehicle 2 (3%); erythema, Metronidazole Topical Lotion 4 (6%), lotion vehicle 0; dry skin, MetronidazoleTopical Lotion 0, lotion vehicle 1 (1%); and worsening of rosacea, Metronidazole Topical Lotion 1 (1%), lotion vehicle 7 (10%). The following additional adverse experiences have been reported with the topical use of metronidazole: skin irritation, transient redness, metallic taste, tingling or numbness of extremities, and nausea.
Who should not take Metrolotion
Metronidazole Topical Lotion is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to metronidazole or to other ingredients of the formulation.
Interactions
Oral metronidazole has been reported to potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and coumarin anticoagulants, resulting in a prolongation of prothrombin time. The effect of topical metronidazole on prothrombin time is not known.
Foods & drinks to be careful with
Well-established interactions for this medicine’s drug class, summarized from public health authorities. General information, not medical advice — always confirm with your pharmacist or the label.
Alcohol
Watch out for: beer, wine, spirits, and other products containing alcohol.
Combining alcohol with this antibiotic can cause a disulfiram-like reaction — flushing, nausea, vomiting, headache, and a fast heartbeat.
What to do: Avoid alcohol while taking it and for a few days after your last dose, as your prescriber or the label directs. Alcohol can hide in some liquid medicines and mouthwashes.
Source: Metronidazole — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
How long does Metronidazole stay in your body?
The elimination half-life of metronidazole is about 8 hours — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the average for healthy adults with normal kidney and liver function; the half-life is much longer in newborns (roughly 22 to 109 hours, longer the more premature the baby). Metronidazole has an active metabolite (hydroxy-metronidazole) whose levels build up in older adults (40-80% higher) and in severe kidney disease, though the label does not give a separate half-life for it.
This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: FLAGYL (metronidazole) label, DailyMed.
Drug class
How this class works, per Metronidazole - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
- abscess
- amebiasis
- bacteroides infections
- bacterial endocarditis
- pseudomembranous enterocolitis
- giardiasis
See how Metrolotion ranks — best-rated nitroimidazole antimicrobial for:
Dosage forms
Topical
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Metrolotion treat?
- Metrolotion (Metronidazole) may be used to treat abscess, amebiasis, bacteroides infections, bacterial endocarditis, pseudomembranous enterocolitis, giardiasis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Metrolotion work?
- Metrolotion is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial. Nitroimidazole antibiotics (such as metronidazole) are activated inside oxygen-free bacteria and parasites, where they turn into reactive forms that break and destabilize the microbe's DNA. This kills the germ while largely sparing the body's own cells.
- How much does Metrolotion cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.10 per gm, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Metrolotion?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Metrolotion. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Metrolotion?
- Metrolotion is marketed by Galderma Labs LP. You can see Galderma Labs LP's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Metrolotion a brand-name or generic drug?
- Metrolotion is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Metronidazole. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Metronidazole are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Metrolotion available over the counter?
- No. Metrolotion is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Metrolotion come in?
- Metrolotion is currently marketed as topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Metrolotion?
- Metrolotion is classified as nitroimidazole antimicrobial, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Metrolotion FDA-registered?
- Metrolotion is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020901. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Metrolotion safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Metrolotion. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Metrolotion?
- Metrolotion's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: In a controlled clinical trial, safety data from 141 patients who used Metronidazole Topical Lotion (n=71), or the lotion vehicle (n=70), twice daily and experienced a local cutaneous adverse event which may or may not have been related to the treatments include: local allergic reaction,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.
People also viewed
Compare Metrolotion head-to-head
More nitroimidazole antimicrobial drugs
Guides for this medication
Browse medications A–Z
Research products from A to Z, compare independent ratings, and find alternatives.
metrolotion
New