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Metronidazole for Diverticulitis User Reviews (Page 2)

Brand names: Flagyl, Metro, Likmez, Flagyl IV, Flagyl 375 Metro IV

Metronidazole has an average rating of 6.3 out of 10 from a total of 215 reviews for the treatment of Diverticulitis. 46% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 22% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Metronidazole

  • nonic...
  • August 27, 2016

Flagyl (metronidazole) "This drug caused uncontrollable diarrhea and stomach upset and I had to stop taking it after just 2 days. This was given for mild diverticulitis and I got better with a liquid diet for several days then low fiber soft food then graduated to regular foods. I had another bout of diverticulitis 4 months later and just did the diet - didn't go to doctors of use antibiotics. For my mild cases this is the way to go. This drug caused more harm than good."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 11, 2013

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I have been taking Flagyl and Cipro for Diverticulitis and it seems to be helping. After my stay in the hospital where the doctor put me on a food rest for several days, including IV antibiotics he prescribed these two meds. There are some issues I have had taking them such as low energy level, limited concentration when getting tired, but most of all nausea. I recommend if you are going to be taking either or both of these meds always take with plenty of food (meal time not just a snack), don't plan on doing too much (you won't have the energy), and ask your Doctor for a as needed prescription of a nausea medicine just in case you need it. I have needed something for nausea at least once daily since on the medicine."

6 / 10
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  • Vetus...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 22, 2019

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Used Flagyl in combo with Cipro after 4 days of IV antibiotics for a bad diverticulitis flare up. No major side effects provided that I used probiotics and yogurt religiously during the week long course. I would take a probiotics about 1-2 hours before dosage, then eat a yogurt, then another probiotic 1-2 hours after each dose. I was on a soft diet anyhow. Very little nausea but quite manageable with ginger and peppermint tea and some rest. Also drinking lots of water helped as well keep things moving and somewhat normal."

8 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • PKid
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 7, 2019

"Was put on Cypro and Flagyl for Diverticulitis. Worked very well. Still have some pain but most of the issues have gone away. I do have some fatigue but that could also be a result of having a major infection. The bottom line is things would be far worse without these antibiotics."

8 / 10
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  • rckym...
  • April 27, 2014

"1st time and hopefully last time with diverticulitis. On Cipro and Flagyl. No pain after 48 hours. Followed clear liquid diet plus plain probiotic yogurt for 2 days to keep diarrhea at bay and NOT get thrush then switched to a low fiber diet. Doctor only gave nuts/raw veggie restriction but I decided to give colon a rest. Dark urine despite drinking 64 oz water each day. Also take probiotic in the morning. I've read other posts saying meds would be stopped or reduced...NOT a good idea in order to completely eliminate the bacteria. I've heard the infection can return, not as a new infection, but because the bacteria count was diminished, not wiped out. A pharmacist told me to take the Flagyl first, then take the Cipro 2hours later. That's helped!"

8 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Brodied
  • June 18, 2010

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I took Flagyl several times before I had surgery to remove part of my colon. It was quickly effective every time I took it. I had no negative side effects. The worst was a bad taste in my mouth. Would take again if needed."

10 / 10
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  • kb78
  • February 7, 2015

"I was put on metronidazole 500 mg and Cipro 500 mg twice daily for diverticulitis. I noticed the pain eased up after 2 days. I'm on day 5 and I feel horrid. Diarrhea, headache, tired, dizzy, nauseous, foggy headed, anxiety, depression and body pain. I don't know if I can do this for 5 more days!"

6 / 10
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More FAQ

  • diver...
  • May 3, 2015

Flagyl (metronidazole) "This is my third day on flagyl and cipro, 3 flagyl and 2 cipro per day. The flagyl does not leave an awful taste in my mouth but some food smells awful...the herbs and flowers in my garden smell nice however. I also feel very anxious, but know now this is a possible side effect. It is a slow depressing recovery but flagyl worked for me before. I will be very careful what I eat from now on and I am going to try some liquid meals and eat gelatinous foods...chicken stew, avocados, beetroots, prunes....its very hard to maintain a healthy diet when you have to work."

7 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • November 13, 2015

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Day 3 on Flagyl and Cipro. I thought I was having a heart attack. This stuff has horrid side effects. Discomfort in my chest and arm. Foggy headed feeling, dizziness, unbalanced, headache, very nauseous, metal taste, very blurry eyesight. No energy, at 55 it is not a good thing to feel this way, especially when you are overweight and out of shape. This is only day 3 I don't think I can take this stuff for 7 more days. They say the IV kind is worse though. Supposedly it's helping (I do feel less pain in my abdomen I think). IF I make it through this stuff I bet I will watch what I eat and make better choices in the future. I called the pharmacy and the doc and both said to stay on it, cipro 2X daily and flagyl 4X daily. Scary stuff."

7 / 10
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  • Claud...
  • October 27, 2015

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I cringe when I think about having to take cipro and flagyl. I'm nauseous, dizzy, light headed, ache, and foggy headed. Can't function and sleep all the time. I miss a weeks worth of work because I feel so bad."

2 / 10
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  • Shelby
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 5, 2020

"This is my second flare up with diverticulitis since March of 2020. My own fault due to my bad choice in foods. This combination of flagyl and cipro make my stomach ache, urine is dark and foul smelling, my stomach pulses, headache is mild, joints hurt, nausea, dizzy first 3 days. It is very stressful on your body. My diverticulitis is better but the side effects of the treatments take a toll on your body. I find too if I stick to taking a good probiotic with slippery elm and drink daily a full glass with a teaspoon of psyllium husk mixed in I do not have any issues. But if I backside and slack off performing this daily regimen then I flare up. Pizza, especially pepperoni is a BIG NO-NO"

10 / 10
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  • Deb
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 5, 2020

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Having nausea everyday about 3 hours after taking Flagyl, also started feeling cramps in both calves on day 3. Only have 1 1/2 days left! Will be taking probiotics and eating yogurt as was suggested by someone in this comment stream!"

7 / 10
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  • metal...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 7, 2015

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Seems effective. Second use with diverticulitis. Both times combined with Cipro. Had some side effects but not sure which medication they came from. Plus the diverticulitis itself causes gas, bloating, diarrhea, headache, nausea so how do you know what was meds and what was the illness? I experienced urine discoloration-slight rusty tone. I can say that the taste of the Flagyl pill is horrible. Also, after starting the meds I became over sensitive to smells and everything I ate or drank, even water, tasted disgusting. (Not so bad as I'm not supposed to be eating foods). I found that if I swallow the Flagyl with a sip of a smoothie (from supermarket) it slips down easy with no sticking and no bad taste."

9 / 10
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  • ammulle
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 9, 2014

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Had my first flare with diverticulitis 4 months ago, ended up in the emergency room. Prescribed Bactrim and Flagyl and four days bed rest. Pain subsided after 2 days on the meds, but felt pretty crummy for the next week, and had to deal with loss of taste and bad taste in my mouth. Didn't attribute feeling so yucky with the meds. Had a second milder diverticulitis flare up four days ago. Went to the doc 2 days ago and I'm back on Bactrim and Flagyl. Came back to work today and I am SO NAUSEOUS! The bad taste in my mouth has returned, and I really don't feel well at all. I really DO NOT want to end up where I was last Jan when I went to the emergency room - so I'm still taking the Flagyl. Doc gave me Zofran for the nausea, it helps some."

6 / 10
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  • Kimike
  • November 18, 2016

"I did a google search for being on Cipro and Flagyl for diverticulitis for a few days because I was thinking there has to be a reason why these meds make me feel so bad and there has to be someone else who has shared this same Horrible experience! And then I read all of your reviews and as awful as these meds are they do actually help to make the pain go away and it's nice to know I'm not suffering alone! :)"

3 / 10
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  • Delta
  • April 7, 2016

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I have taken this for Diverticulitis and BV. It works. Had bleeding and severe almost septic Diverticulitis, was in hospital for 5 days and this cured it. Gets rid of BV too, just make sure to take Rephresh Pro-B pill immediately after finishing course of flagl and continue for a few months if you want to keep vagina healthy. Side affects of flagyl are diarrhea and slight nausea but bearable, just take it in the middle of meal. If you have horrible affects from it you are having allergic reaction, not side affects. I know bc my mom is allergic to flagyl. If taking for diverticulitus, take high grade probiotic for 2 months after finishing course of antibiotics to replenish good bacteria in gut."

9 / 10
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  • Jen
  • July 23, 2016

"I was recently prescribed both Metronidazole and Cipro for diverticulitis---this is the second time I've had an issue with diverticulitis since being diagnosed approximately 2 years ago. I have learned a few things this time around that has reduced the negative side effects. I no longer take these medications at the same time---they are spaced an hour or two apart and both are taken with a slice of toast--nothing more. If I take this medication after a meal, it causes problems. This has greatly reduced (eliminated) the stomach pains and nausea that I experienced before. Limit food intake while having a diverticulitis attack for the first couple of days--replace with water. You need to flush out the infection and there will be diarrhea."

10 / 10
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  • Toosick
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 22, 2020

"Diagnosed in ER with acute moderate diverticulitis 9 days ago. Prescribed 14 days of both Metronidazole and Flagyl, with double dose of Metronidazole 3x daily. The side effects are making me sicker! I’ve lost 10 pounds, and the pain that had mostly gone by day 3 is back, along with vomiting. I can’t eat anything at all, I have severe diarrhea and insomnia. Heading to ER again later to see my gastro specialist. Medical reports and studies I’ve been reading say that these medications should NOT be prescribed for diverticulitis unless a bacterial infection has been confirmed. I’m not taking any more unless my doctor can convince me that the agony is worth it and that I’m not going to be worse off afterwards."

1 / 10
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  • Seven...
  • November 3, 2016

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Taking Flagyl and Cipro for diverticulitis, and got all the symptoms as everyone else. Dry mouth, headaches, funny taste in mouth, diarrhea and generally feel sluggish, tired and beside myself. Though I was the only one feeling like crap but the pain is gone and I too am on a better diet. Seven days left and I am throwing these empty bottles in the trash!"

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • April 17, 2012

Flagyl (metronidazole) "This med was prescribed along with Cipro for diverticulitis. The side effects were strong. I felt dizzy, my balance was off when walking, drowsiness, general fuzzy headed feeling. When my pain subsided after 3 days, I stopped taking it but continued the Cipro. I was taking 500mg 3 times a day of the Flagyl. Doc wants me to continue taking at least 1 per day, but can't drive or function so not going to continue."

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  • Anonymous
  • February 27, 2012

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I have taken this medicine once before and it made me have flu like symptoms, diarrhea, terrible taste in my mouth in general feel awful when I am on this. I agree with person above almost worse than having the pain from diverticulitis. I am also taking Cipro so no dairy products, antacids tablets. Basically I try to force my self to eat and drink and sleep through the worst of the systems. This is miserable and depressing. As soon as I can I plan to try to eat the recommended about of Fiber 25-30 grams. I never want to have diverticulitis again twice in 5 months is to much. I have 1 more week of meds, feels like a life time. "

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  • Dragn...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 26, 2016

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I was prescribed Flagyl and cipro Sunday night when I went to ER for severe abdominal pain. CT scan revealed acute colitis. Day 3 of antibiotics and now feeling nauseous, light headed, no appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Pain gone but will suffer through if it clears up those pesky parasites. Doc said could be short or long term. I vote for short. The docs should warn of possible side effects to prepare a person."

8 / 10
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  • Deaths...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 27, 2017

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I have never had any issues, until I was diagnosed with a very minor case diverticulitis and was prescribed this drug. It has been nine months and counting, and my life has changed. This drug cause severe stomach pain, numbing of the arms, and a trip to the ER. After two or three doses, I had to quit. The biggest outcome of this was gastritis, something I've never had in my life. Nearly every night I wake up sick. I am on multiple drugs to combat this gastritis, but my condition is getting worse. As an active person (hiking, running, biking and such), this has hampered all of these activities. My sleep is very poor now. I have no idea what I can eat or not eat. I dare not drink alcohol and cannot eat after 6p lest I suffer all night."

1 / 10
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  • RaRa
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 20, 2017

"I was diagnosed with a mild case of diverticulitis. I had severe abdominal pain mainly on left side, low grade fever and headache. I was prescribed Flagyl every 6 hours for 10 days and bactrim every 12 hours for 10 days. Ugh... 60 pills..... I felt much better abdominal wise after 2 days but the side effects were horrible! Sour stomach and headaches.. After day 4 I decided to do some research. I learned that you should space these meds at least an hour apart. (helped a ton). You should also eat a piece of bread with or have something on your stomach when you take them. Drink as much water as you can and take prebiotics and probiotics to help your stomach stay balanced. I was also recommended taking a Leaky Gut Repair health supplement"

10 / 10
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  • Garde...
  • June 20, 2015

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Prescribed Flagyl and Cipro for diverticulitis and both worked well. Hard to tease out which caused some of the side effects, however Flagyl seemed the milder of the two. Bad pill taste is no problem but the metallic taste tainted everything. So glad to hear others experienced heightened/changed sense of smell! I thought I was going crazy! No nausea with the Flagyl alone but about an hour after adding the cipro the exhaustion and nausea are awful. Also, dark urine and diarrhea which are unsettling but sound normal."

8 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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