Metronidazole

Metronidazole is an antibiotic.

It's used to treat skin infections, rosacea and mouth infections, including infected gums and dental abscesses. It's also used to treat conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

It's also used for infected insect bites, skin ulcers, bed sores and wounds, and to treat and prevent bacterial and parasitic infections.

Metronidazole is only available on prescription.

It comes as tablets, gel, vaginal gel, cream, a liquid you drink or a suppository which is a medicine that you push gently into your anus (bottom). It's also given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital.