Metronidazole (antibiotic) is making me feel VE... - Thyroid UK

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Metronidazole (antibiotic) is making me feel VERY hypo? As though my NDT isn't working?

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10 years ago•20 Replies

I've just found something on line which says this antibiotic shouldn't be handed out to people with hypothyroidism. I think it was a Canadian web-site. But there is nothing in the PIL that mentions hypothyroid contraindications.? I feel dreadful tonight. Very hypo. Having been taking this for 5 days now. I know that metronidazole can make one feel bad anyway but I do feel Massively hypo now.

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20 Replies

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gabkad10 years ago

joesmum, how much longer do you have to take this? I took it back in 1987 but don't recall if it made me feel crappy. Metallic taste in the mouth though. A person takes antibiotics because they are sick with something to begin with which can make a person feel awful. So it's kind of difficult to determine if it's what's being treated or the treatment.

Then you have the Herxheimer reaction when there's massive die off of whatever the metronidazole is killing.

And definitely don't drink alcohol because it has an antabuse effect.

• in reply togabkad10 years ago

One more day then I've finished them. They were prescribed for a dental abscess. Fortunately I don't drink so that's not a problem but I definitely feel acutely hypo. Feet at an all time burning. Tongue swollen. Pins and needles in tongue are dreadful. Insomnia, nausea, depression, exhausted,emotional.

gabkad• in reply to10 years ago

joesmum, let the dentist know that you have had this reaction so it can be recorded in your chart and in future another antibiotic can be prescribed if necessary. Maybe call them up tomorrow and let the dentist know what's going on.

Are you allergic to the penicillin types? Usually it's one of those that are prescribed.

• in reply togabkad10 years ago

Unfortunately I can't take penicillin. But apparently Metronidazole is first line treatment for stubborn abscesses!

gabkad• in reply to10 years ago

Zithromax works as well, 2 pills on day 1, 1 pill per day. 5 days. But it's not cheap like metronidazole. I think choice seems to be determined by $.

shawsAdministrator10 years ago

It could be. This is a link and although it may not be your antibiotic there still could be a connection:-

thyroid.about.com/b/2008/02...

Ask your GP to do a TSH test at least to see if has risen.

silverfox710 years ago

Just put this in Mediguard-a site designed to show up any contraindications. It didn't flag up anything for me, registered with them as taking thyroxine-but it did say that was on hold which I've aways thought meant they don't know of any interaction but they have no knowledge that they isn't one either.

Says common side effects, each one 4% are dizziness, drowsy, eye irritation and nausea and vomiting.

You haven't mentioned how you are feeling so may be these cover it and 4% isn't such a high number. (I'm NOT suggesting you haven't a problem).

If you are in the UK and still concerned you could always send in a yellow card report. I sent one in a few months back as I felt similar and didn't know if it was the Mercury Pharma thyroxine or the fact of the medication I was taking for tonsillitis was blocking it.

Hope you soon feel better. I've a feeling that my dentist has it on file not to give it as it made me violently sick which isn't good with a dental problem!

tingles10 years ago

A lot of those symptoms sound very much like low b12!? Have you had you levels checked? X

Rover31210 years ago

I have hashimotos and was prescribed this antibiotic by my dentist last year. Not sure if there is a thyroid connection but I felt really dreadful after a few days with muscle weakness and felt very spaced out and and ccouldn't move out of bed or speak. Stopped taking and got my dentist and thr pharmacist to make a note on my records about it, it was quite a frightening experience I would be interested to know if there is a link to hyphypothyroidism too.

• in reply toRover31210 years ago

Here is the link. I think it's Canadian

Look at the bottom.

medbroadcast.com/drug_info_...

sidneymark70• in reply toRover3127 years ago

I have just found this from Rover312 re having hashimotos and taking metronidazole. Had a dental abscess last Friday and started taking it along with my levothyroxine. I feel exactly the same as Rover312. Really frightened. Cant stop falling asleep and muscle weakness and totally spaced out. There must be a link. Anybody please?

helvellaAdministrator• in reply tosidneymark707 years ago

There is nothing wrong in doing so, but responses on threads that are over three years old, and which were started by someone no longer a member (that is what user name Hidden means), tend to get poor numbers of responses.

I suggest you start a new thread.

sidneymark70• in reply tohelvella7 years ago

oh ok thank you. Will start a new thread. Not thinking straight. This shows me how much I need medication for hypothyroidism though as I guess the antibiotic is stopping the levoythyroxine from getting into my blood stream? Very angry with dentist. I did put this down on my form before he gave me the antibiotic.

helvellaAdministrator• in reply tosidneymark707 years ago

It sometimes feels as if dentists like to prescribe metronidazole so that they can gloat as they tell you that you must avoid alcohol while taking it.

paigie10 years ago

I am not hypothyroid (have been hyper but seems to be cured by R.I.) but I was prescribed Metro..... twice, for foot ulcers & u.t.i. I felt so terrible, with stomach cramps, nausea, headaches, fatigue, brain fog, etc. that I stopped taking it & asked to have it written on to my files. Never again ! So maybe you are intolerant of it too. Try a

different antibiotic. Good Luck.

Rover31210 years ago

Thanks it is very interesting. I mentioned my reaction to a hospital consultant a few months latet anf he basically accused me of drinking alcohol whilsti was taking them! I don't drink much anyway and never while on medication but basically that was his explanation even though I protested!

Ritaritarita10 years ago

I felt really bad when I took it too, just got off it. And yes it made me feel hyper and sick. And made my other med not work, and the aftermath was feeling very depressed. Just trying to pull myself up, the thought of a root canal does not help.

10 years ago

I'm not taking it today!

Rover31210 years ago

I stopped taking it and switched tablets to amoxycillin which were fine. It really was a hohorrible experience I would hate to think of others reacting in the same way because of inappropriate advice and lack of knowledge of the medical profession.

helvellaAdministrator4 years ago

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We often close posts that were originated by people who have left - there is no point in wasting our time making replies. Occasionally, the thread might still be active and popular and will be left. More often, it is simply a case of none of the admins noticing!

We recommend that you write a brand new post to ask your question. The past addition to this thread was itself over three years ago and that was answered with advice that the thread was very old even then!

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As this thread is out-of-date, I shall now close it to replies.

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