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Details

Stereochemistry RACEMIC
Molecular Formula C12H13N3O9.2Na
Molecular Weight 389.2259
Optical Activity ( + / - )
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 1
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of Metronidazole citrate disodium

SMILES

[Na+].[Na+].CC1=NC=C(N1CCOC(=O)CC(O)(CC([O-])=O)C([O-])=O)[N+]([O-])=O

InChI

InChIKey=NOBCCNGXRHLYJA-UHFFFAOYSA-L
InChI=1S/C12H15N3O9.2Na/c1-7-13-6-8(15(22)23)14(7)2-3-24-10(18)5-12(21,11(19)20)4-9(16)17;;/h6,21H,2-5H2,1H3,(H,16,17)(H,19,20);;/q;2*+1/p-2

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula Na
Molecular Weight 22.98976928
Charge 1
Count
Stereochemistry ACHIRAL
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 0
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity NONE

Molecular Formula C12H13N3O9
Molecular Weight 343.2463
Charge -2
Count
Stereochemistry RACEMIC
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 1
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity ( + / - )

Description
Curator's Comment: description was created based on several sources, including http://www.emedexpert.com/facts/metronidazole-facts.shtml

Metronidazole was synthesized by France's Rhone-Poulenc laboratories and introduced in the mid-1950s under the brand name Flagel in the US, while Sanofi-Aventis markets metronidazole globally under the same trade name, Flagyl, and also by various generic manufacturers. Metronidazole is one of the rare examples of a drug developed as ant parasitic, which has since gained broad use as an antibacterial agent. Metronidazole, a nitroimidazole, exerts antibacterial effects in an anaerobic environment against most obligate anaerobes. Metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible strains of sensitive organisms: Trichomoniasis: symptomatic, asymptomatic, asymptomatic consorts; Amebiasis: acute intestinal amebiasis (amebic dysentery) and amebic liver abscess; Anaerobic bacterial infections; Intra-abdominal infections, including peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess, and liver abscess; Skin and skin structure infections; Gynecologic infections, including endometritis, endomyometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and postsurgical vaginal cuff infection; Bacterial septicemia; Bone and joint infections, as adjunctive therapy; Central Nervous System infections, including meningitis and brain abscess; Lower Respiratory Tract infections, including pneumonia, empyema, and lung abscess; Endocarditis. Metronidazole is NOT effective for infections caused by aerobic bacteria that can survive in the presence of oxygen. Metronidazole is only effective against anaerobic bacterial infections because the presence of oxygen will inhibit the nitrogen-reduction process that is crucial to the drug's mechanism of action. Once metronidazole enters the organism by passive diffusion and activated in the cytoplasm of susceptible anaerobic bacteria, it is reduced; this process includes intracellular electron transport proteins such as ferredoxin, transfer of an electron to the nitro group of the metronidazole, and formation of a short-lived nitroso free radical. Because of this alteration of the metronidazole molecule, a concentration gradient is created and maintained which promotes the drug’s intracellular transport. The reduced form of metronidazole and free radicals can interact with DNA leading to inhibition of DNA synthesis and DNA degradation leading to death of the bacteria. The precise mechanism of action of metronidazole is unknown. Metronidazole has a limited spectrum of activity that encompasses various protozoans and most Gram-negative and Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. Metronidazole has activity against protozoans like Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis, for which the drug was first approved as an effective treatment.

CNS Activity

Curator's Comment: In animal studies, metronidazole readily penetrated the blood-CSF/blood-brain barrier, and data regarding the entry into human CSF and brain abscess confirmed this finding

Originator

Curator's Comment: was synthesized by France's Rhone-Poulenc laboratories and introduced in the mid-1950s under the brand name Flagyl

Approval Year

Targets

Targets

Primary TargetPharmacologyConditionPotency
Conditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Curative
FLAGYL

Approved Use

INDICATIONS & USAGE Metronidazole vaginal gel USP, 0.75% is indicated in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly referred to as Haemophilus vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Corynebacterium vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis). NOTE: For purposes of this indication, a clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is usually defined by the presence of a homogeneous vaginal discharge that (a) has a pH of greater than 4.5, (b) emits a “fishy” amine odor when mixed with a 10% KOH solution, and (c) contains clue cells on microscopic examination. Gram’s stain results consistent with a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis include (a) markedly reduced or absent Lactobacillus morphology, (b) predominance of Gardnerella morphotype, and (c) absent or few white blood cells. Other pathogens commonly associated with vulvovaginitis, e.g., Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, and Herpes simplex virus should be ruled out.

Launch Date

1963
Curative
FLAGYL

Approved Use

INDICATIONS & USAGE Metronidazole vaginal gel USP, 0.75% is indicated in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly referred to as Haemophilus vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Corynebacterium vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis). NOTE: For purposes of this indication, a clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is usually defined by the presence of a homogeneous vaginal discharge that (a) has a pH of greater than 4.5, (b) emits a “fishy” amine odor when mixed with a 10% KOH solution, and (c) contains clue cells on microscopic examination. Gram’s stain results consistent with a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis include (a) markedly reduced or absent Lactobacillus morphology, (b) predominance of Gardnerella morphotype, and (c) absent or few white blood cells. Other pathogens commonly associated with vulvovaginitis, e.g., Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, and Herpes simplex virus should be ruled out.

Launch Date

1963
Curative
FLAGYL

Approved Use

INDICATIONS & USAGE Metronidazole vaginal gel USP, 0.75% is indicated in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly referred to as Haemophilus vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Corynebacterium vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis). NOTE: For purposes of this indication, a clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is usually defined by the presence of a homogeneous vaginal discharge that (a) has a pH of greater than 4.5, (b) emits a “fishy” amine odor when mixed with a 10% KOH solution, and (c) contains clue cells on microscopic examination. Gram’s stain results consistent with a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis include (a) markedly reduced or absent Lactobacillus morphology, (b) predominance of Gardnerella morphotype, and (c) absent or few white blood cells. Other pathogens commonly associated with vulvovaginitis, e.g., Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, and Herpes simplex virus should be ruled out.

Launch Date

1963
Cmax

Cmax

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
16.54 mg/L
15 mg/kg single, intravenous
dose: 15 mg/kg
route of administration: intravenous
experiment type: single
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: unhealthy
age: CHILD
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
6.77 μg/mL
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: FEMALE / MALE
food status: FASTED
6 μg/mL
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: UNKNOWN
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
12 μg/mL
500 mg single, oral
dose: 500 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: UNKNOWN
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
40 μg/mL
2000 mg single, oral
dose: 2000 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: UNKNOWN
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
25 μg/mL
7.5 mg/kg 4 times / day steady-state, intravenous
dose: 7.5 mg/kg
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: STEADY-STATE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: UNHEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
AUC

AUC

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
75.23 μg × h/mL
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: FEMALE / MALE
food status: FASTED
T1/2

T1/2

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
7.76 h
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: FEMALE / MALE
food status: FASTED
8 h
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: UNKNOWN
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
8 h
500 mg single, oral
dose: 500 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: UNKNOWN
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
8 h
2000 mg single, oral
dose: 2000 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: UNKNOWN
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
8 h
unknown, oral
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
Funbound

Funbound

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
80%
unknown, oral
METRONIDAZOLE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
Doses

Doses

DosePopulationAdverse events​
12.5 g single, oral
Overdose
Dose: 12.5 g
Route: oral
Route: single
Dose: 12.5 g
Sources:
unhealthy, 58 years
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 58 years
Sex: F
Sources:
Disc. AE: Hepatotoxicity...
AEs leading to
discontinuation/dose reduction:
Hepatotoxicity (9.6%)
Sources:
8.5 g single, oral
Overdose
Dose: 8.5 g
Route: oral
Route: single
Dose: 8.5 g
Sources:
unhealthy, 62 years
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 62 years
Sex: M
Sources:
1000 mg/m2 3 times / day steady, oral
Highest studied dose
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: steady
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, adult
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: adult
Sex: unknown
Sources:
DLT: Nausea and vomiting, Generalised onset motor seizure...
Dose limiting toxicities:
Nausea and vomiting (13.5%)
Generalised onset motor seizure (12.8%)
Neurotoxicity NOS (10.9%)
Sources:
5.3 mg/m2 3 times / week multiple, oral
Highest studied dose
Dose: 5.3 mg/m2, 3 times / week
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 5.3 mg/m2, 3 times / week
Sources:
unhealthy, adult
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: adult
Sex: unknown
Sources:
DLT: Gastrointestinal toxicity, Central nervous system toxicity...
Dose limiting toxicities:
Gastrointestinal toxicity (14.5%)
Central nervous system toxicity (13.7%)
Sources:
1350 mg 3 times / day steady, oral
Overdose
Dose: 1350 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: steady
Dose: 1350 mg, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, preterm newborn
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: preterm newborn
Sex: F
Sources:
AEs

AEs

AESignificanceDosePopulation
Hepatotoxicity 9.6%
Disc. AE
12.5 g single, oral
Overdose
Dose: 12.5 g
Route: oral
Route: single
Dose: 12.5 g
Sources:
unhealthy, 58 years
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 58 years
Sex: F
Sources:
Neurotoxicity NOS 10.9%
DLT
1000 mg/m2 3 times / day steady, oral
Highest studied dose
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: steady
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, adult
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: adult
Sex: unknown
Sources:
Generalised onset motor seizure 12.8%
DLT
1000 mg/m2 3 times / day steady, oral
Highest studied dose
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: steady
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, adult
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: adult
Sex: unknown
Sources:
Nausea and vomiting 13.5%
DLT
1000 mg/m2 3 times / day steady, oral
Highest studied dose
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: steady
Dose: 1000 mg/m2, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, adult
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: adult
Sex: unknown
Sources:
Central nervous system toxicity 13.7%
DLT
5.3 mg/m2 3 times / week multiple, oral
Highest studied dose
Dose: 5.3 mg/m2, 3 times / week
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 5.3 mg/m2, 3 times / week
Sources:
unhealthy, adult
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: adult
Sex: unknown
Sources:
Gastrointestinal toxicity 14.5%
DLT
5.3 mg/m2 3 times / week multiple, oral
Highest studied dose
Dose: 5.3 mg/m2, 3 times / week
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 5.3 mg/m2, 3 times / week
Sources:
unhealthy, adult
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: adult
Sex: unknown
Sources:
OverviewDrug as perpetrator​

Drug as perpetrator​

TargetModalityActivityMetaboliteClinical evidence
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
The effect of therapeutic drugs used in inflammatory bowel disease on the incidence and growth of colonic cancer in the dimethylhydrazine rat model.
1992 Nov
Treatment of experimental pneumocystosis: review of 7 years of experience and development of a new system for classifying antimicrobial drugs.
1992 Sep
Antituberculosis activity of certain antifungal and antihelmintic drugs.
1999
Metronidazole ototoxicity--report of two cases.
1999 Apr
Metronidazole therapy in mice infected with tuberculosis.
1999 May
Drug-associated acute pancreatitis: twenty-one years of spontaneous reporting in The Netherlands.
1999 Sep
Do ethanol and metronidazole interact to produce a disulfiram-like reaction?
2000 Feb
Mesalamine-induced chest pain: a case report.
2000 May
Convulsions induced by metronidazole treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated disease in chronic renal failure.
2000 May
A simple, efficient and inexpensive program for preventing prematurity.
2001
[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: the first case in Congo].
2001 Apr-Jun
Technology evaluation: CEA-TRICOM, Therion Biologics Corp.
2001 Aug
[Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of intestinal typhoid perforations in children of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire].
2001 Dec
[A comparative study on wound healing treated by different doses of bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)].
2001 Feb
Vector-driven hyperexpression of a triad of costimulatory molecules confers enhanced T-cell stimulatory capacity to DC precursors.
2001 Jul-Aug
Enhancing the potency of peptide-pulsed antigen presenting cells by vector-driven hyperexpression of a triad of costimulatory molecules.
2001 May 14
Retrospective analysis of drug-induced urticaria and angioedema: a survey of 2287 patients.
2001 Nov
Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy in a uremic patient: a case report.
2001 Sep
[The efficacy of the Helicobacter pylori eradication in people of an advanced age].
2002
Synthesis, biological evaluation, and binding mode of novel 1-[2-(diarylmethoxy)ethyl]-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazoles targeted at the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.
2002 Apr 11
Role of P53 functionality in the genotoxicity of metronidazole and its hydroxy metabolite.
2002 Apr 25
Allergic contact dermatitis from 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol in Metrogel.
2002 Jan
Metronidazol as a probable cause of severe liver injury.
2002 Jan-Feb
Lack of disulfiram-like reaction with metronidazole and ethanol.
2002 Jun
Effectiveness of metronidazole gel on cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth in heart transplant patients.
2002 Mar
[Microbiologic characteristics of wound infectious process in use of ion-exchange sorbents].
2003
[Anaerobic bacteria in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) after thoracic surgery].
2003
An unexpected and severe neurological disorder with permanent disability acquired during short-course treatment with metronidazole.
2003
An open label crossover trial of effects of metronidazol on hyperlipidaemia.
2003 Aug
Renal papillary necrosis induced by naproxen.
2003 Aug
Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy and inferior olivary hypertrophy: lesion analysis with diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient maps.
2003 Dec
Solvent effects in permeation assessed in vivo by skin surface biopsy.
2003 Dec 18
[Vulvar amebiasis. Report of a case and review of the literature].
2003 Feb
A triad of costimulatory molecules synergize to amplify T-cell activation in both vector-based and vector-infected dendritic cell vaccines.
2003 May
A comparison of 15% azelaic acid gel and 0.75% metronidazole gel in the topical treatment of papulopustular rosacea: results of a randomized trial.
2003 Nov
Modified vaccinia virus ankara recombinants are as potent as vaccinia recombinants in diversified prime and boost vaccine regimens to elicit therapeutic antitumor responses.
2003 Nov 15
Ruthenium(II) sulfoxide-maltolato and -nitroimidazole complexes: synthesis and MTT assay.
2003 Nov 17
Bronchospasm and laryngeal stridor as an adverse effect of oxytocin treatment.
2003 Oct
Cardiac diphtheria in a previously immunized individual.
2003 Sep
MR imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging changes in metronidazole (Flagyl)-induced cerebellar toxicity.
2003 Sep
Crohn's disease--when to operate?
2004
Reduced stem cell mobilization in mice receiving antibiotic modulation of the intestinal flora: involvement of endotoxins as cofactors in mobilization.
2004 Jan 1
A case of clarithromycin-induced manic episode (antibiomania).
2004 Mar
Patents

Sample Use Guides

Trichomoniasis: In the Female: One-day treatment − two grams of FLAGYL, given ither as a single dose or in two divided doses of one gram each, given in the same day. Anaerobic Bacterial Infections: In the treatment of most serious anaerobic infections, intravenous metronidazole is usually administered initially. The usual adult oral dosage is 7.5 mg/kg every six hours (approx. 500 mg for a 70-kg adult). A maximum of 4 g should not be exceeded during a 24-hour period. Amebiasis: Adults: For acute intestinal amebiasis (acute amebic dysentery): 750 mg orally three times daily for 5 to 10 days. For amebic liver abscess: 500 mg or 750 mg orally three times daily for 5 to 10 days. Pediatric patients: 35 to 50 mg/kg/24 hours, divided into three doses, orally for 10 days.
Route of Administration: Other
Cells incubated with lethal drug (Metronidazole (MTZ)) concentration exhibit unchanged DNA profile, only about 50% of cells are positive for γH2A and lose an ability to attach to a surface after few hours of incubation. It is likely that the early reaction of cells to lethal concentration of MTZ is not primarily initiated by the reaction to DNA damage but rather by the immediate interaction of MTZ with biomolecules where activated MTZ is generated.
Substance Class Chemical
Created
by admin
on Wed Apr 02 12:03:00 GMT 2025
Edited
by admin
on Wed Apr 02 12:03:00 GMT 2025
Record UNII
8LKQ4FU9YN
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version
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Name Type Language
Metronidazole citrate disodium
Common Name English
Disodium metronidazole citrate
Preferred Name English
disodium 2-hydroxy-2-[2-[2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-imidazol-1-yl)ethoxy]-2-oxo-ethyl]butanedioate
Systematic Name English
Code System Code Type Description
PUBCHEM
165412101
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 12:03:00 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 12:03:00 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
8LKQ4FU9YN
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 12:03:00 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 12:03:00 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
Related Record Type Details
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