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How long does it take for metronidazole to work?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 29, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

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.


References
  • Metronidazole Tablets 500 mg Medicines.org.UK. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5882/smpc#gref
  • Metronidazole Northern Devon Healthcare. https://www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Metronidazole-sexual-health-clinics.pdf

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