It is available in numerous medicines - both alone and in combination with other active ingredients - suitable for various routes of administration and used to treat different types of disorders. In particular (but not exclusively), the active ingredient in question is active against anaerobic bacteria and against some types of protozoa (such as, for example, Trichomonas vaginalis).
As mentioned, metronidazole is available in different pharmaceutical forms such as: skin creams and gels; creams, gels, pessaries and vaginal solutions; tablets; capsules; solution for infusion.
Medicines formulated as solutions for infusion are hospital-use drugs (OSP - range H) that are used in the treatment of severe bacterial infections (bacteraemia, septicemia) in adults and children.
The other medicines containing metronidazole, on the other hand, can be sold in pharmacies, some of them can only be dispensed upon presentation of a repeatable medical prescription (RR) but being classified as class A drugs, their cost can be reimbursed by the National Health System ( SSN), wholly or partially depending on the case; while others do not require a prescription as they are SOP drugs (ie, No Prescription Required). In the latter case, however, the cost of the medicines is entirely borne by the citizen (class C drugs).
