Drug Mechanism: How does Metronidazole work?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites.
Anaerobic bacteria are single-cell living organisms that thrive in low oxygen environments and can cause disease in the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis) liver (liver abscess), and pelvis (abscess of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes). Giardia lamblia and ameba are parasites that can cause abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea in infected individuals.
Metronidazole selectively blocks some of the cell functions in these microorganisms, resulting in their demise.
