Metronidazole 400 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Amoebic dysentery and amoebic liver abscess; Giardiasis – diarrhoea caused by Giardia.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.66 to ₹1.64 per tablet across 6 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metronidazole Tablets IP 400mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹6.57 | ₹0.66 | 19 October 2026 |
| Aldezol 400 | Albert David Ltd | 10 | ₹8.86 | ₹0.89 | 19 October 2026 |
| Flagyl 400 | Abbott | 20 | ₹32.68 | ₹1.63 | 19 October 2026 |
| Aristogyl 400 | Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹16.28 | ₹1.63 | 19 October 2026 |
| Metrogyl 400 | J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 20 | ₹32.76 | ₹1.64 | 19 October 2026 |
| Metron 400 | Alkem Laboratories Ltd | 15 | ₹24.57 | ₹1.64 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Amoebic dysentery and amoebic liver abscess.
- Giardiasis – diarrhoea caused by Giardia.
- Bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas infection.
- Dental and gum infections.
- Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria in the gut, pelvis or after surgery.
- Helicobacter pylori infection, in combination with other medicines.
How to take it
Take one 400 mg tablet 2 to 3 times a day, after food, with a full glass of water, exactly as prescribed. Swallow it whole. Courses run 5 to 10 days depending on the infection. Do not drink alcohol during the course and for at least 48 hours after the last dose.
Side effects
Common
- Metallic taste in the mouth.
- Nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain.
- Diarrhoea.
- Headache, dizziness.
- Dark-coloured urine (harmless).
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hands or feet (nerve damage) with long courses – stop and tell your doctor.
- Fits, confusion, problems with balance or speech.
- Severe allergic reaction or severe skin rash.
- Severe, persistent diarrhoea.
Safety information
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours afterwards. Combining them causes flushing, severe vomiting, headache and palpitations (disulfiram-like reaction).
Pregnancy
Avoid in the first 3 months of pregnancy unless your doctor says it is essential. Tell your doctor if breastfeeding – the medicine passes into breast milk.
Kidney problems
No dose change usually needed for mild to moderate kidney disease.
Liver problems
Dose is reduced in severe liver disease. Tell your doctor.
Children
Children get weight-based doses as syrup or lower-strength tablets, only on prescription.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. Do not double.
Interactions
- Alcohol and products containing alcohol (some cough syrups, tonics) – severe reaction.
- Warfarin – strongly increases bleeding risk; INR must be monitored.
- Lithium – levels can rise.
- Phenytoin, phenobarbital – lower metronidazole levels.
- Disulfiram – avoid together (confusion, psychosis).
- Busulfan, fluorouracil, ciclosporin – levels may rise.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink alcohol with Metrogyl 400?
No. Alcohol with metronidazole causes a very unpleasant reaction – flushing, pounding headache, vomiting and palpitations. Avoid alcohol throughout the course and for 48 hours after the last tablet.
Metrogyl 400 before or after food?
After food. Taking it with a meal reduces nausea and the metallic taste.
Is Metrogyl 400 good for loose motions?
Only if the diarrhoea is caused by amoeba, giardia or certain bacteria. Most loose motions are viral and need only ORS. A doctor should decide, often after a stool test.
Metrogyl 400 vs Flagyl 400 – any difference?
Both are metronidazole 400 mg. They are the same medicine from different companies.
Why does my urine look dark on Metrogyl?
Metronidazole can turn urine reddish-brown. This is harmless and stops after the course. Dark urine with yellow eyes, however, needs a doctor.
Is Metrogyl 400 safe in pregnancy?
It is generally avoided in the first trimester unless essential, and used later only on a doctor's advice. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Can I take Metrogyl 400 with Norflox or ofloxacin?
Doctors sometimes combine metronidazole with a quinolone for infective diarrhoea or pelvic infections, and combination brands exist. Take such combinations only on prescription – they are often overused.
Does Metrogyl 400 need a prescription?
Yes. Metronidazole is a Schedule H medicine in India.
Sources
- NHS – Metronidazole (19 October 2026)
- MedlinePlus – Metronidazole (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms