When taking these tablets, you should follow the directions given to you by the doctor. Swallow the tablets whole - do not crush or chew the tablets - with a drink of water, during or after a meal.

If you take more tablets than required, you should contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. If you forget to take a dose, do not double up doses. Take the dose as soon as your remember and then take the next dose at the correct time.

The active ingredient in these tablets is metronidazole. The other ingredients in the tablets may vary depending on the make of the tablets. Please read the information leaflet for the full details.

You should not take the metronidazole tablets if you are allergic to any ingredients in the tablets. You should speak to your doctor before taking the tablets if you have or have ever had a liver problem, you are having kidney dialysis or if you have a disease of the nervous system.

You should make sure to mention if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, especially if you take anti-coagulants, lithium, medicines used to treat epilepsy, 5-fluorouracil, busulfan, ciclosporin or disulfiram.

You should avoid drinking alcohol whilst taking the metronidazole as it may make you feel sick, confused, have an abnormally fast heart beat or get headaches. If this happens, stop drinking alcohol and speak to your doctor.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you should not take metronidazole as this may affect the pregnancy and metronidazole may pass into the mother's milk.

As with all medicines, metronidazole can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them. Please read the information leaflet regarding potential side effects. If you experience any odd side effects whilst using the cream or any of the side effects get severe, speak to your doctor.