Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Metronidazole (BQ10)

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic that disrupts bacterial and parasitic DNA by generating reactive free radicals after being reduced in anaerobic environments.

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic that disrupts bacterial and parasitic DNA by generating reactive free radicals after being reduced in anaerobic environments. Used for Anaerobic bacterial infections, Trichomoniasis, Amebiasis.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

The drug is activated by anaerobic organisms' electron transport systems, which reduce the nitro group to form reactive intermediates that damage DNA and inhibit nucleic acid synthesis. This mechanism makes it effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites while having minimal activity against aerobic organisms. It is bactericidal and antiprotozoal in action.

Approved indications

• Anaerobic bacterial infections
• Trichomoniasis
• Amebiasis
• Giardiasis
• Clostridioides difficile infection
• Bacterial vaginosis

Common side effects

• Metallic taste
• Nausea
• Headache
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol
• Darkened urine

Key clinical trials

• Sequential Versus Quadruple Therapy in the Second-line Treatment (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Metronidazole (BQ10) CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Metronidazole (BQ10) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• National Taiwan University Hospital portfolio CI