METRONIDAZOLE

METRONIDAZOLE- metronidazole injection, solution
Henry Schein, Inc.

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION

SAGENT®

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Metronidazole Injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs, Metronidazole Injection, USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

BOXED WARNINIG

WARNING
Metronidazole has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice and rats (see PRECAUTIONS). Its use, therefore, should be reserved for the conditions described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section below.

DESCRIPTION

Metronidazole Injection, USP is a sterile, parenteral dosage form of metronidazole in water.

Each 100 mL of Metronidazole Injection, USP contains a sterile, nonpyrogenic, isotonic, buffered solution of Metronidazole, USP 500 mg, Sodium Chloride, USP 740 mg, Dibasic Sodium Phosphate Dihydrate, USP 75 mg and Citric Acid Anhydrous, USP 40 mg in Water for Injection, USP. Metronidazole Injection, USP has a calculated osmolality from 270 to 310 mOsmol/kg and a pH from 4.5 to 6.0. Sodium content: 13.5 mEq/container.

Metronidazole is classified as a nitroimidazole antimicrobial and is administered by the intravenous route.

Metronidazole, USP is chemically designated 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-1-ethanol (C6H9N3O3):

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Not made with natural rubber latex.

The flexible container is fabricated from a specially formulated non-plasticized, thermoplastic copolyolephine. The amount of water that can permeate from the container into the overwrap is insufficient to affect the solution significantly. Solutions in contact with the flexible container can leach out certain of the container’s chemical components in very small amounts within the expiration period. The suitability of the container material has been confirmed by tests in animals according to USP biological tests for plastic containers.

CLINICAL PHARMAcOLOGY

Metronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial compound. Disposition of metronidazole in the body is similar for both oral and intravenous dosage forms, with an average elimination half-life in healthy humans of eight hours.

The major route of elimination of metronidazole and its metabolites is via the urine (60 to 80% of the dose), with fecal excretion accounting for 6 to 15% of the dose. The metabolites that appear in the urine result primarily from side-chain oxidation (1-[β-hydroxyethyl]-2-hydroxymethyl-5-nitroimidazole and 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-1-yl-acetic acid) and glucuronide conjugation, with unchanged metronidazole accounting for approximately 20% of the total. Renal clearance of metronidazole is approximately 10 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Metronidazole is the major component appearing in the plasma, with lesser quantities of the 2-hydroxymethyl metabolite also being present. Less than 20% of the circulating metronidazole is bound to plasma proteins. Both the parent compound and the metabolite possess in vitro bactericidal activity against most strains of anaerobic bacteria.

Metronidazole appears in cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and human milk in concentrations similar to those found in plasma. Bactericidal concentrations of metronidazole have also been detected in pus from hepatic abscesses.

Plasma concentrations of metronidazole are proportional to the administered dose. An eight-hour intravenous infusion of 100 to 4,000 mg of metronidazole in normal subjects showed a linear relationship between dose and peak plasma concentration.

In patients treated with metronidazole injection using a dosage regimen of 15 mg/kg loading dose followed six hours later by 7.5 mg/kg every six hours, peak steady-state plasma concentrations of metronidazole averaged 25 mcg per mL with trough (minimum) concentrations averaging 18 mcg per mL.

Decreased renal function does not alter the single-dose pharmacokinetics of metronidazole. However, plasma clearance of metronidazole is decreased in patients with decreased liver function.

In one study newborn infants appeared to demonstrate diminished capacity to eliminate metronidazole. The elimination half-life, measured during the first three days of life, was inversely related to gestational age. In infants whose gestational ages were between 28 and 40 weeks, the corresponding elimination half-lives ranged from 109 to 22.5 hours.

Microbiology
Mechanism of Action
Metronidazole, a nitroimidazole, exerts antibacterial effects in an anaerobic environment against most obligate anaerobes. Once metronidazole enters the organism by passive diffusion and activated in the cytoplasm of susceptible anaerobic bacteria, it is reduced; this process includes intra-cellular electron transport donors such as ferredoxin and transfer of an electron to the nitro group of the metronidazole leading to formation of a short-lived nitroso free radical. Because of this alteration of the metronidazole molecule, a concentration gradient is created and maintained which promotes the drug’s intracellular transport. The reduced form of metronidazole and free radicals may interact with DNA leading to inhibition of DNA synthesis, DNA degradation, and death of bacteria. The precise mechanism of action of metronidazole is unclear.

Drug Resistance
A potential for development of resistance exists against metronidazole.

Resistance may be due to multiple mechanisms that include decreased uptake of the drug, altered reduction efficiency, overexpression of the efflux pumps, inactivation of the drug, and/or increased DNA damage repair.

Metronidazole does not possess any clinically relevant activity against facultative anaerobes or obligate aerobes.

Antimicrobial Activity
Metronidazole has been shown to be active against most isolates of the following bacteria both in vitro and clinical infections as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section.

Gram negative anaerobes

Bacteroides fragilis group (B. fragilis, B. distasonis, B. ovatus, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. vulgatus)

Fusobacterium species
Gram positive anaerobes

Clostridium species

Eubacterium species

Peptococcus species

Peptostreptococcus species
The following in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown: Metronidazole exhibits in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC’s) of 8 mcg/mL or less against most (≥90%) isolates of the following bacteria; however, the safety and effectiveness of metronidazole in treating clinical infections due to these bacteria have not been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials.

Gram negative anaerobes

Bacteroides fragilis group (B. caccae, B. uniformis)

Prevotella species (P. bivia, P. buccae, P. disiens)
Susceptibility Testing
For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Metronidazole Injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs, Metronidazole Injection, USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Treatment of Anaerobic Infections
Metronidazole Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Indicated surgical procedures should be performed in conjunction with Metronidazole Injection, USP therapy. In a mixed aerobic and anaerobic infection, antibiotics appropriate for the treatment of the aerobic infection should be used in addition to Metronidazole Injection, USP.

Metronidazole Injection, USP is effective in Bacteroides fragilis infections resistant to clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and penicillin.

Intra-Abdominal Infections, including peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess, and liver abscess, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group (B. fragilis, B. distasonis, B. ovatus, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. vulgatus), Clostridium species, Eubacterium species, Peptococcus species, and Peptostreptococcus species.

Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group, Clostridium species, Peptococcus species, Peptostreptococcus species, and Fusobacterium species.

Gynecologic Infections, including endometritis, endomyometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and post-surgical vaginal cuff infection, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group, Clostridium species, Peptococcus species, and Peptostreptococcus species.

Bacterial Septicemia caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group and Clostridium species.

Bone and Joint Infections, as adjunctive therapy, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Infections, including meningitis and brain abscess, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections, including pneumonia, empyema, and lung abscess, caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group.

Endocarditis caused by Bacteroides species including the B. fragilis group.

Prophylaxis
The prophylactic administration of Metronidazole Injection, USP preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively may reduce the incidence of postoperative infection in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery which is classified as contaminated or potentially contaminated.

Prophylactic use of Metronidazole Injection, USP should be discontinued within 12 hours after surgery. If there are signs of infection, specimens for cultures should be obtained for the identification of the causative organism(s) so that appropriate therapy may be given (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of metronidazole and other antibacterial drugs, metronidazole should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antimicrobial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

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