Skip to main content

How long does it take metronidazole to leave your system?

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 17, 2023.

I just need to know how long approximately it takes for metronidazole in the pill form to leave your system. I was told 24 hours?

Official answer

by Drugs.com

It will take about 44 hours (5.5 x elimination half life 8 hrs) for metronidazole to be cleared from your system.

The elimination half life of metronidazole is approximately 8 hours. It takes 5.5 x elimination half life for a medicine to be completely cleared from the body. Therefore it will take about 44 hours (5.5 x 8 hrs) for it to be cleared from your system.

For more information see: https://www.drugs.com/pro/metronidazole-capsules.html

Read next

Drinking alcohol while taking metronidazole is not recommended because the combination of metronidazole and alcohol can cause a reaction (often referred to as a disulfiram-like reaction) in some people. Symptoms may include flushing, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. There has been one reported death associated with this reaction. The product information and health professionals recommend not to drink alcohol during metronidazole treatment and for 3 days after finishing the course. Continue reading

Metronidazole starts to work 1 to 2 hours after you take it, because it is quickly absorbed, and it reaches its maximum concentration after 20 minutes to 3 hours. But it may take a couple of days before you start to feel better or notice an improvement in your symptoms. It is important that you still finish the course of metronidazole that your doctor has prescribed, even if you feel better, because the infection may still be present, and it could flare up or recur if you haven’t finished the course. Continue reading

About 10% of women report a vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis) as a side effect of metronidazole treatment. Although metronidazole spares vaginal lactobacilli, which are naturally resistant to nitroimidazoles such as metronidazole, it does not restore a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiome and disruption in the normal vaginal microbiota can persist. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer