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Proper Use
If this medicine upsets your stomach, it may be taken with meals or a snack. If stomach upset continues (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea), check with your doctor. If you are taking the extended–release formulation, you should try to take it an hour before or two hours after your meal.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take 4 doses per day, the doses should be spaced about 6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your doctor.
If you are using the injection form of this medicine: A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for 1 hour.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
- For bacterial infections:
- Adults and teenagers—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 7.5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, up to a maximum dose of 1 gram, every six hours for at least seven days.
- Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 7.5 mg per kg of body weight every six hours; or 10 mg per kg every eight hours.
- For amebiasis infections:
- Adults and teenagers—500 to 750 milligrams (mg) three times per day for five to ten days.
- Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 11.6 to 16.7 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight three times per day for ten days.
- For trichomoniasis infections:
- Adults and teenagers—A single dose of 2 grams; or 1 gram two times per day for one day; or 250 milligrams (mg) three times per day for seven days.
- Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight three times per day for seven days.
- For bacterial infections:
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
- For bacterial vaginosis:
- Adults and teenagers—750 milligrams (mg) once a day for seven days.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For bacterial vaginosis:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
