Rodazid Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole compound that possesses antibacterial and antiprotozoal activities. It is effective against anaerobic protozoal parasites and against a broad range of anaerobic bacteria.
Metronidazole has strong antibacterial activity against anaerobic cocci, anaerobic gram-negative organisms and anaerobic spore-forming gram-positive organisms.
Bactericidal actions of metronidazole against obligate anaerobes include its penetration into the bacterial cell, reductive activation and toxic effect of the reduced intermediate products. The intermediate product of metronidazole reduction causes cell death through its interaction with bacterial DNA.
Pharmacokinetics: After oral intake, metronidazole is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, is widely distributed in body tissues and penetrates well into the cerebrospinal fluid. It appears in most body tissues and fluids including bone, liver, bile, cerebral and liver abscess, saliva, seminal fluid and vaginal secretions. Concentrations are achieved similar to those in plasma. Absorption of metronidazole may be delayed but is not reduced overall by food. Maximum concentration occurs in the serum after about one hour. Metronidazole has an elimination half-life of about 8 hours. Its half-life is said to be longer in neonates and in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Metronidazole is metabolized mainly in the liver.
Majority of the dose of metronidazole is excreted in the urine mainly as metabolites, including an acid oxidation product, a hydroxy derivative and a glucuronide. A small amount appears in the feces.
Metronidazole diffuses across the placenta and rapidly enters the fetal circulation. It is found in breast milk of nursing mothers.