Flagyl/Metronidazole/Ciproflaxacin Club

This is a place to provide information for other parents about you and your child's experiences with Flagyl/Cipro.

It is also an area to ask questions and please bear in mind that there is no such thing as a dumb question. If you haven't found an answer to what you are seeking then there is every likelihood that it has never been asked and therefore you won't be alone in wanting to know, so ask away!

This is a list of questions for those parent's that have travelled the Flagyl/Cipro path and hopefully by answering them newbies to the treatment will have many, if not all, of their questions answered.

1. Why was your child prescribed Flagyl/Cipro?

2. Is your child diagnosed with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis?

3. Was your child on only Flagyl/Cipro or were they prescribed other medication at the same time? If others, which?

4. What dose and regime of Flagyl/Cipro was prescribed?

5. Has the dose been changed over time and why?

6. Did your child have any adverse/allergic reactions?
If so what were they and how was it dealt with.

7. Is there a preference for brand or generic preparations?

8. Are there any preparations that need to be made to make the tablet easier to take?

9. Is there a time of day that is preferable?

10. Can you still administer tablets if you are unwell or have an infection?

11. Did Flagyl/Cipro work for your child and how long was it prescribed for (how long has your child been on it)?

12. If it didn't work or treatment has been discontinued why is that?

13. How many times has your child flared while on Flagyl/Cipro?

15 How is the treatment monitored for success (i.e. what tests and how often)?

16. What indications/results does your GI look for that would indicate a problem, either that the medication is 'failing' or that the medication is causing an adverse or concerning reaction?

17. How often are bloods drawn?

18. How is the cost of the medication covered?

19. Any other tips or information?

Thank you to those that are able to contribute to gathering of this information and if you think of any other questions that would be useful please let me know and I will add them.

For those wishing additional information please have a look at the Flagyl article and/or the Ciprofloxacin article located in the wiki.

Thanks,
Dusty

All these answers pertain to Matt and Flagyl.

1. Why was your child prescribed Flagyl/Cipro?
He was prescribed it for a week as an initial treatment on diagnosis. When complications set in he was prescribed it for 3 months until surgery and then for 3 months post op as the Crohn's specialist believed it would help establish remission and then maintain for a longer period of time.

2. Is your child diagnosed with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
Crohn's Disease.

3. Was your child on only Flagyl/Cipro or were they prescribed other medication at the same time? If others, which?
Pre-op - Prednisone and Imuran and then Augmentin Duo Forte for an intra abdominal abscess. Post-op - Imuran.

4. What dose and regime of Flagyl/Cipro was prescribed?
Pre-op 400mg three times a day. Post-op 200mg three times a day.

5. Has the dose been changed over time and why?
Pre-op was a treatment dose and post-op was a maintenance dose.

6. Did your child have any adverse/allergic reactions? If so what were they and how was it dealt with.[/B]
No.

7. Is there a preference for brand or generic preparations?
Definitely brand. They had a smooth coating compared to powdery finish of the generics so Matt found the brand much more palatable.

8. Are there any preparations that need to be made to make the tablet easier to take?
No. We had ordinary Flagyl so it can be taken with or without food but the extended release version must be taken on an empty stomach.

9. Is there a time of day that is preferable?
No but if taking multiple doses allow a reasonable time between them.

10. Can you still administer tablets if you are unwell or have an infection?
Yes.

11. Did Flagyl/Cipro work for your child and how long was it prescribed for (how long has your child been on it)?
I do believe that it help stabilise his condition pre-op. Post-op I don't know but he is still in remission 2.5 years post op.

12. If it didn't work or treatment has been discontinued why is that?
N/A.

13. How many times has your child flared while on Flagyl/Cipro?
Nil.

15. How is the treatment monitored for success (i.e. what tests and how often)?
Blood test, WCC (White Cell Count). At his worst he was having daily blood tests then pre-op and post-op he was having weekly tests.

16. What indications/results does your GI look for that would indicate a problem, either that the medication is 'failing' or that the medication is causing an adverse or concerning reaction?
Not really applicable as it is not being used as a long term/maintenance medication.

17. How often are bloods drawn?
At the time as per Q15.

18. How is the cost of the medication covered?
He was receiving a month's supply at a time. Due to the amount of tablets being dispensed the GP had to ring for authorisation and it was covered under the PBS on the one script.

19. Any other tips or information?
1. Many people have issues with the taste of the tablet. Matt had no issues with it and I don't know if the brand tablets make a difference with this.
2. You must not consume alcohol when taking Flagyl and for 48 hours after completing the course. Drinking alcohol when taking Flagyl can make you feel very sick, vomit, have stomach cramps, headaches and flushing.

Dusty.

1. Why was your child prescribed Flagyl/Cipro?
Was prescribed Flagyl to treat a flare.

2. Is your child diagnosed with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
Crohn's

3. Was your child on only Flagyl/Cipro or were they prescribed other medication at the same time? If others, which?
Was already on Pentasa

4. What dose and regime of Flagyl/Cipro was prescribed?
Sorry the dose l can't remember. It was one in the morning and one at night

5. Has the dose been changed over time and why?
No it was only a short course.

6. Did your child have any adverse/allergic reactions?
If so what were they and how was it dealt with.
She had nausea first thing in the morning. I tried giving her toast or a few biscuits but it didn't help much.

7. Is there a preference for brand or generic preparations?
No

8. Are there any preparations that need to be made to make the tablet easier to take?
No preparation but straight after taking it she'd put a lolly in her mouth to get rid of the horrible taste.

9. Is there a time of day that is preferable?
After breakfast and after dinner

10. Can you still administer tablets if you are unwell or have an infection?
Yes

11. Did Flagyl/Cipro work for your child and how long was it prescribed for (how long has your child been on it)?
It was prescribed for 3 weeks and yes it did work it. It got her flare under control and her ESR and CRP went down.

12. If it didn't work or treatment has been discontinued why is that?


13. How many times has your child flared while on Flagyl/Cipro?


15 How is the treatment monitored for success (i.e. what tests and how often)?
Blood test

16. What indications/results does your GI look for that would indicate a problem, either that the medication is 'failing' or that the medication is causing an adverse or concerning reaction?
Was only used short term

17. How often are bloods drawn?
After the 3 weeks course

18. How is the cost of the medication covered?
Under healthcare card $5.90

19. Any other tips or information?