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What Are The Side Effects Of Metronidazole?
Question: Hello. I'm traveling to Mexico in a week, and I am unfortunately very susceptible to getting diarrhea when I eat just about anything in Mexico. Awhile back, someone told me to take Vermox (Mebendazole) the day I arrived as a preventative medicine. I have done that now twice and each time I've not had stomach issues. Is this just coincidence, or is taking Vermox without symptoms preventative? If no, what can I take as a preventative? What about Amoebriz which is Mebendazole and Quinfamide? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Not recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.
Well it is not medically justified to take any antibiotic including metronidazole if there is no sign of infection or high risk that infection can occur.
I don think that there there is either of these risks in your case. Food may be more or less appropriately prepared,but if you avoid street food,then you should not be worried about food poisoning.It would be better to drink probiotics few days prior to travel. metronidazole may be effective against intestinal worms,but other intestinal infections such as campylobacter, salmonella or staphyloccoucs wont be affected by metronidazol.
Also, if you take it repeatedly,it may cause resistency and in future, antibiotics may not work in your body when real infection occur.
WIsh you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards
Not recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.
Well it is not medically justified to take any antibiotic including metronidazole if there is no sign of infection or high risk that infection can occur.
I don think that there there is either of these risks in your case. Food may be more or less appropriately prepared,but if you avoid street food,then you should not be worried about food poisoning.It would be better to drink probiotics few days prior to travel. metronidazole may be effective against intestinal worms,but other intestinal infections such as campylobacter, salmonella or staphyloccoucs wont be affected by metronidazol.
Also, if you take it repeatedly,it may cause resistency and in future, antibiotics may not work in your body when real infection occur.
WIsh you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you! I do have a follow-up question: You referenced Metronidazole, but my question was about Mebendazole (Vermox). From what I found online, Mebendazole isn't an antibiotic and Metronidazole is, right? Please help me understand. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
My mistake,sorry. It is not antibiotic,but it is antihelmintic medication.
But the point is the same.
It is not recommended to take it as a preventative measures unless sometimes for people who live in endemic areas( if intestinal worms occur regularly in a particular area) and are in contact with possible infection each day. It is seen in some XXXXXXX countries or XXXXXXX Mexico is not ine of it.
ALso for travelers,there is no need for this type of prevention and it may just bring some other difficulties and drug side effects
Hi
Detailed Answer:
My mistake,sorry. It is not antibiotic,but it is antihelmintic medication.
But the point is the same.
It is not recommended to take it as a preventative measures unless sometimes for people who live in endemic areas( if intestinal worms occur regularly in a particular area) and are in contact with possible infection each day. It is seen in some XXXXXXX countries or XXXXXXX Mexico is not ine of it.
ALso for travelers,there is no need for this type of prevention and it may just bring some other difficulties and drug side effects
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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