2-Methyl-5-nitroimidazole-1-ethanol; 2-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-ethanol; Anagiardil; Arilin; Bayer 5360; Cimetrol 500LPCI; Clont; Deflamon; Dentamet gel; Efloran; Elyzol; Entizol; Flagesol; Flagil; 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole; NSC 50364; NSC 69587; Nidazole

Metronidazole is an antibacterial and antiprotozoal drug. It is commonly used to treat a condition called amebiasis. Amebiasis can cause diarrhea in people with HIV/AIDS. If the amebiasis is severe or does not respond to treatment with metronidazole alone, iodoquinol or diloxanide furoate may be added. Another intestinal condition called giardiasis is also treated with metronidazole. Other conditions that this drug may be prescribed to treat are trichomoniasis, anaerobic bacterial infections, bacterial vaginosis, Helicobacter pylori and antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. Preparations of metronidazole have been used with some success in treating the skin inflammations and eruptions caused by rosacea.