Metronidazole for acne - how to take, reviews and before and after photos

Composition and release form

Metronidazole is an antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent that has a wide spectrum of action.

This is the first drug from the group of nitroimidazoles, it was discovered and synthesized in France and was produced under the trade name “Flagyl”. It was then licensed and produced by Pfizer in the USA. After the patent expired, many generics appeared, among which are Metrogyl, Klion, Trichopolum and others. This distribution is due to the high efficiency of this product.

Now this drug, as a medicine, is available in several forms:

Dental gel (Metrogil);
Gel for external use (Metrogil, Rozamet);
Injection solution (solution for infusion);
Vaginal gel (Metrogil);
Tablets (Trichopol);
Candles (Klion-D).

The main active ingredient is Metronidazole , the molecule of which, when interacting with a bacterium, disrupts its DNA structure, which leads to its death.

How does metronidazole work?

The main principle of action of this antimicrobial agent is that it disrupts the intracellular transport of bacterial protein and inhibits DNA synthesis of the microorganism cell. Metronidazole is also integrated into the respiratory chain of protozoa, which disrupts the respiratory processes in the cell, and the microorganism dies. Such a complex effect on the bacterium leads to disruption of its structure and subsequent death. It destroys all bacteria and microorganisms that are sensitive to it and that cause inflammation, including ulcers and pimples.

Contraindications and possible harm

Metronidazole should not be used to treat acne during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The following contraindications exist for oral administration:

hypersensitivity;
disorders of the liver and kidneys;
CNS lesions.

It is better not to apply it locally in the presence of open wounds and various dermatitis. In addition, the drug is not recommended for use on dry and sensitive skin prone to allergies.

You cannot extend the course of treatment with Metronidazole, as this can cause the development of dysbiosis and cause additional stress on the liver. For local use, it is also not recommended to neglect this rule. Bacteria very quickly get used to the product and lose sensitivity to it, which makes the therapy useless.

Side effects

When using the drug, certain negative reactions may occur, in particular:

Immediate allergic reactions , namely: urticaria, anaphylactic shock, skin rashes, and skin hyperemia. They can occur both with long-term local use and when administered orally in the form of tablets.

Digestive system problems : diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth and pancreatitis (only when taken orally as tablets or infusions).

Stomatitis, candidiasis (when taken orally in tablet form).

Also, during treatment, you should avoid alcoholic beverages, since taking them together can cause a significant impact on your well-being and health in general (applies only to systemic action, when taken in the form of tablets or infusions).

Using Metronidazole for acne

Basically, this remedy is prescribed for the treatment of diseases occurring in the gastrointestinal tract, in particular those caused by Helicobacter pilori and anaerobic flora, which is resistant to many antibiotics, and some sexually transmitted infections. The use of Metronidazole to treat skin problems involves not only eliminating the problem in your intestines, but also in the tissues of the body. This substance has high bioavailability and penetrates into all fluids and tissues of the body. This should be remembered, especially for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The attending physician may prescribe a course that seems very short to you; this is done so that you can be sure of the effectiveness of the drug for you and see possible side effects. Also, if necessary, adjust the treatment program or discontinue the drug altogether. And if the drug is chosen correctly, and the cause of acne is a problem from the inside, then you will see the effect of the tablets on your skin within the first week.

Masks

Masks with metronidazole are an excellent remedy for acne on the face, which can remove inflammation in a few days and speed up the healing of your skin.

It should be noted that you should apply a mixture with this drug as a mask only if you have a large number of inflammations and acne per square centimeter of skin. This happens with acne or complications of rosacea and demodicosis. In the case of single pimples, it is necessary to apply the product pointwise.

With clay

To prepare this mask you will need:

Four tablets of trichopolum;
A few teaspoons of white or blue clay;
A little boiling water.

Now the tablets need to be finely ground and poured into a bowl, then pour boiling water over them and mix thoroughly. After this, pour clay into the resulting mixture until a thick consistency is obtained. Let this mixture brew for a while and cool so as not to burn your face, and you can safely apply it to your skin for 10 minutes.

We highly recommend not making this mask more than twice a week!

From peroxide and baby powder

To make such an effective mask you will need:

Two tablets of metronidazole or trichopolum;
Half a teaspoon of three percent hydrogen peroxide;
Half a teaspoon of baby powder;
Half a teaspoon of an alcohol solution of boric acid.

Now finely crush all the tablets and mix with baby powder. Then mix hydrogen peroxide and boric acid together and pour the resulting solution into the dry mixture, stirring gently to obtain a paste-like mass. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes and you can apply it directly to inflammation. ( specifically, not all over the face! )

If after application you notice a burning sensation on the skin, you should immediately wash the product off your face and not carry out this procedure again.

This means that your skin reacts strongly to the mixture of these ingredients. In the worst case scenario, it may even leave chemical burn marks on your skin. If everything is fine, then leave the mask on for ten minutes, and then carefully remove it with clean hands, rather than rinse it off. Wipe your face with lotion. And apply it every other day for several weeks.

Hydrogen peroxide

With aspirin

This mask will allow you to reduce the severity of inflammation on the skin and speed up its recovery. Because aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) present in the composition has an anti-inflammatory effect and makes pimples less noticeable.

Use of tablets

Metronidazole tablets act inside the body like an antibiotic and have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. They should be taken according to the instructions included with the drug after consultation with a doctor. You should not self-medicate. Not every case may require taking Metronidazole tablets.

The average dose of tablets is 250 mg twice a day. The tablet is swallowed whole and washed down with a sufficient amount of clean water. The tablets can also be used in homemade masks and lotions. This product is applied externally to inflamed skin and helps get rid of acne.

Complex treatment with Metronidazole is especially effective for mixed infections. The course of treatment is determined only by the doctor. Usually take tablets for 5-10 days. Therapy depends on the severity of the acne.

There are several types of acne:

I degree – localization of several pimples only on the face;
II degree – there are open and closed pimples with pus;
III degree – there are ulcers on the face, back and chest;
IV-V degrees – a large number of acne is caused by hormonal imbalance, acne is localized throughout the body.

Metronidazole can be prescribed for any degree of acne. The medication is quite effective for any skin infection and helps eliminate acne. If necessary, the treatment course with Metronidazole is repeated after 2-3 months.

Lotion

If you don't want to make masks and bother with making mash, you can make a simple lotion, which also shows excellent effectiveness when used to treat extensive skin inflammation.

To prepare it you will need:

200 milliliters of hot boiled water. (The water should not be boiling water! The optimal temperature is approximately 50 degrees)
Six crushed metronidazole tablets.

Lotion with metronidazole
Pour the powder into water and stir, wait until it cools down and pour into the bottle. Store in the refrigerator and wipe the affected areas several times a day, morning and evening.

Don't forget to shake before applying!

Gel: application features

If you want to use Metronidazole externally to combat rashes, ask your pharmacist to sell you Metrogyl gel (its main active ingredient is the named antibiotic). The transparent substance is used for spot treatment of acne several times a day. The composition is applied to previously prepared, cleaned areas in a thin layer. The duration of the course is determined in each specific case according to an individual scheme, but on average it does not exceed a period of 3-4 weeks.

Numerous reviews confirm the fact that Metrogyl gel is truly effective in combating acne of varying severity. Additional advantages of this product include light texture, rapid absorption into the skin, and a delicate effect on healthy skin.

Analogs

Among the analogues of Metronidazole in terms of action, several antibacterial drugs can be distinguished, which are also effective in the treatment of pimples and acne.

Levomycetin

One of them is the antibiotic Levomycetin. Having a wide spectrum of action, this drug quickly and effectively fights inflammation. You can prepare, as in the case of Metronidazole, mash and masks. Levomycetin can also be applied in the form of ready-made preparations: liniment of Syntomycin, Levomekol or Levosin.

Price from 60 rubles to 150.

Levomycetin tablets

Tetracycline

The next analogue is Tetracycline . Also a broad-spectrum antibiotic. We recommend paying attention to tetracycline ointment for both ophthalmic and external use.

Price from 25 rubles to 100 rubles.

Tetracycline tablets

Doxycycline

Doxycycline , similar in structure and action to tetracycline. Available in the form of capsules, tablets and solutab tablets, which quickly dissolve in water.

Price from 40 rubles to 500.

Doxycycline capsules

Reviews

We invite you to read the reviews of my friends who used metronidazole for acne on the recommendation of a doctor or on their own, and if you have any questions, you can always ask your question on our cosmetic forum.

Dermatologist Tatyana Landysheva prescribed me Metronidazole as a complex therapy for acne. I suffered from severe rashes for unknown reasons. I had blood tests and skin scrapings, but everything was fine. Then the doctor adjusted my diet and prescribed these pills in a weekly course. And Baziron, spot on and at night. I would like to note that a year has passed since the course of treatment, but no new, extensive rashes have appeared on my skin. Only occasionally single pimples, which I smear with baziron and they quickly go away.
Marina, 27 years old, Moscow

I use trichopolum as a component for mash. I make my own mash from calendula and aspirin. I take a bottle of pharmacy calendula tincture, add three aspirin tablets and four trichopolum tablets to it. I wipe the affected areas before going to bed, the effect is simply wonderful. Pimples quickly dry out and decrease in size, sometimes it doesn’t even reach full-fledged inflammation.
Olga, 24 years old, Odintsovo
Read also: How my son and I got ringworm from a cat

I use metronidazole in combination with clindamycin when I need to get rid of a pimple in an “inconvenient place” after depilation or sugaring in a few days. I crush the tablet of this product and pour clindamycin out of the pill, add a teaspoon of warm water. I mix it with my finger, dip a cotton ball into it and apply it to the pimple, cover it with a band-aid on top and leave it overnight. In the morning the inflammation becomes much less. I would like to note that be careful what kind of plaster you use, since a plaster with a high fixation force can leave severe irritation after tearing off. I use Bintley-M, it holds well and is easily removed without leaving any traces of glue or irritation.
Victoria, 32 years old, Moscow

Application of ointment

Metronidazole facial ointment for acne is applied externally. It should be applied to problem areas of the skin twice or thrice a day. Before starting the procedure, be sure to study the instructions and act according to them.

Ointment or gel is best applied to the skin in the morning after washing and at night before bed after hygiene procedures. The drug should not be rubbed in. Metronidazole ointment is quickly absorbed and does not cause discomfort. The drug does not leave any traces upon contact with clothing. The ointment should be applied to dry skin.

The effect of Metronidazole is noticeable after two weeks of treatment. Disgusting pimples dry out, the inflammatory process decreases and disappears from the skin. The functioning of the sebaceous glands returns to normal, which is why acne no longer appears.