Tablet
200 mg
Oral suspension
100 mg/5 ml
Solution for injection
500 mg/100 ml
Pessary
500 mg
Gel
0.75% w/w
Dosage Forms
Uses
Dose and Duration
Amoebiasis
Adult: 800 mg every 8 hours for 8–10 days
Child: 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 8–10 days
Giardiasis
Adult and child over 10 years: 2 g once daily for 3 days or 400 mg every 8 hours for 5 days
Child 7–10 years: 1 g once daily for 3 days
Child 3–7 years: 600–800 mg once daily for 3 days
Child 1–3 years: 500 mg once daily for 3 days
Tetanus, tropical ulcer, infection in haemorrhoids
400 mg every 8 hours for 5 days
Bacterial vaginosis; abnormal vaginal and urethral discharge
syndrome
2 g single dose. Also treat partner
Pelvic inflammatory disease
400 mg every 12 hours for 14 days. Also treat partner
Helicobacter pylori eradication (in combination with amoxicillin
and omeprazole)
400 mg every 8 hours for 7–14 days
Mouth and teeth infections
400 mg every 8 hours for 5 days
Prophylaxis against anaerobic post-operative infections
Adult and child over 12 years: IV injection of a single dose of 1000–1500 mg 30–60 minutes pre-operatively
Child < 12 years: 20–30 mg/kg as a single dose given 1–2 hours before surgery
Neonate with gestation age < 40 weeks: 10 mg/kg as a single dose before operation
Or 500 mg IV immediately before, during or after operation, then 500 mg every 8 hours for 24–48 hours
Acute inflammatory exacerbation of rosacea (gel)
Adult and child above 12 years: apply a thin layer of gel twice daily after washing the affected area for 3–4 months. Treatment may be considered for another 3–4 months if there is a clear benefit of therapy
Deodorisation of smell associated with malodorous fungating
tumours (gel)
Adult: clean wound thoroughly. Apply gel to cover the complete area and cover with a non-adherent dressing 1–2 times daily as necessary