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Metronidazole
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial [EPC] | EPC | All 15 members |
| Nitroimidazoles [CS] | CS | All 15 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 077197-001 | METRONIDAZOLE | LOTION | METRONIDAZOLE | Prescription | AB |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original application | 1 | Approved | May 24, 2006 | — |
Review documents
- 0 · Original application · May 25, 2006
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260128). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS AND USAGE Metronidazole topical lotion is indicated for topical application in the treatment of inflammatory papules and pustules of rosacea. CLINICAL STUDIES A controlled clinical study was conducted in 144 patients with moderate to severe rosacea, in which metronidazole topical lotion was compared with its vehicle. Applications were made twice daily for 12 weeks during which patients were instructed to avoid spicy foods, thermally hot foods and drinks, alcoholic beverages, and caffeine. Patients were also provided samples of a soapless cleansing lotion and, if requested, a moisturizer. Metronidazole topical lotion was significantly more effective than its vehicle in mean percent reduction of inflammatory lesions associated with rosacea and in the investigator's global assessment of improvement. The results of the mean percent reduction in inflammatory lesion counts from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment and the investigators' global assessment of improvement at week 12 are presented in the following table: Efficacy Outcomes at Week 12 Mean Percent Reduction in Inflammatory Lesion Counts from Baseline Metronidazole Topical Lotion N=65 Vehicle Lotion N=60 55% 20% Investigators' Global Assessment of Improvement (percent change from baseline) Worse No Change Minimal Improvement Definite Improvement Marked Improvement Clear Metronidazole Topical Lotion N=65 5% 12% 11% 32% 32% 8% Vehicle Lotion N=60 15% 27% 23% 15% 20% 0% The scale is based on the following definitions: Worse: Exacerbation of either erythema or quantitative assessment of papules and/or pustules. No Change: Condition remains the same. Minimal Improvement: Slight improvement in the quantitative assessment of papules and/or pustules, and/or slight improvement in erythema. Definite Improvement: More pronounced improvement in the quantitative assessment of papules and/or pustules, and/or more pronounced improvement in erythema. Marked Improvement: Obvious improvement in the quantitative assessment of papules and/or pustules, and/or obvious improvement in erythema. Clear: No papules or pustules and minimal residual or no erythema.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply a thin layer to entire affected areas after washing. Use morning and evening or as directed by physician. Avoid application close to the eyes. Patients may use cosmetics after waiting for the metronidazole topical lotion to dry (not less than 5 minutes).
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS Metronidazole Topical Lotion is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to metronidazole or to other ingredients of the formulation.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingADVERSE REACTIONS In a controlled clinical trial, safety data from 141 patients who used metronidazole topical lotion (n=71), or the lotion vehicle (n=70), twice daily and experienced a local cutaneous adverse event which may or may not have been related to the treatments include: local allergic reaction, metronidazole topical lotion 2 (3%), lotion vehicle 0; contact dermatitis, metronidazole topical lotion 2 (3%), lotion vehicle 1 (1%); pruritus, metronidazole topical lotion 1 (1%), lotion vehicle 0; skin discomfort (burning and stinging), metronidazole topical lotion 1 (1%), lotion vehicle 2 (3%); erythema, metronidazole topical lotion 4 (6%), lotion vehicle 0; dry skin, metronidazole topical lotion 0, lotion vehicle 1 (1%); and worsening of rosacea, metronidazole topical lotion 1 (1%), and lotion vehicle 7 (10%). The following additional adverse experiences have been reported with the topical use of metronidazole: skin irritation, transient redness, metallic taste, tingling or numbness of extremities, and nausea.
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug LabelingDrug Interactions: Oral metronidazole has been reported to potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and coumarin anticoagulants, resulting in a prolongation of prothrombin time. The effect of topical metronidazole on prothrombin time is not known.
Description
openFDA Drug LabelingDESCRIPTION Metronidazole Topical Lotion, 0.75% contains metronidazole, USP, at a concentration of 7.5 mg per gram (0.75% w/w) in a lotion consisting of benzyl alcohol, carbomer 941, cyclomethicone, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, light mineral oil, PEG-100 stearate, polyethylene glycol 400, potassium sorbate, purified water, steareth-21, stearyl alcohol, and sodium hydroxide and/or lactic acid to adjust pH. Metronidazole is an imidazole and is classified therapeutically as an antiprotozoal and antibacterial agent. Chemically, metronidazole is 2-methyl-5-nitro-1 H -imidazole-1-ethanol. The molecular formula is C 6 H 9 N 3 O 3 and molecular weight is 171.16. Metronidazole is represented by the following structural formula: Structural Formula
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED Metronidazole Topical Lotion, 0.75% is supplied in the following size: 2 fl. oz. (59 mL) plastic bottle – NDC 68308- 712 -59 Storage: Store at controlled room temperature 68° - 77°F (20° - 25°C). Protect from freezing. Marketed By: Mayne Pharma Raleigh, NC 27609 1-844-825-8500 Product of Canada P58196-0 Revised Sept 2024
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: METRONIDAZOLE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0168-0383-60 | 0168-0383 | Fougera Pharmaceuticals, LLC | 59 mL in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (0168-0383-60) | May 24, 2006 |
| 68308-712-59 | 68308-712 | Mayne Pharma Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (68308-712-59) / 59.7 g in 1 BOTTLE | February 10, 2025 |
| 0168-0383 | 0168-0383 | Fougera Pharmaceuticals, LLC | — | May 24, 2006 |
| 68308-712 | 68308-712 | Mayne Pharma Inc. | — | February 10, 2025 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.