How does Flagyl work?
Flagyl tablets contain the active ingredient metronidazole, which is a type of medicine called an antibiotic. (NB. Metronidazole is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Metronidazole is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other micro-organisms called protozoa. Metronidazole works by entering bacterial and protozoal cells and interfering with their genetic material (DNA). It damages the DNA and also prevents the bacteria and protozoa from forming new DNA. This ultimately results in metronidazole killing the micro-organisms, which clears up the infection. Metronidazole kills a wide variety of bacteria that are known collectively as anaerobic bacteria. This means that they do not need oxygen to grow and multiply. Anaerobic bacteria can cause infections in areas of the body such as the bones, gut, pelvic cavity and gums. Metronidazole is used to treat these types of infections, as well as leg ulcers and pressure sores that are infected with anaerobi
