Metronidazole inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase and causes acetaldehyde to accummulate in the bloodstream. A disulfiram like reaction occurs when consuming alcohol and the patient may complain of symptoms such as facial flushing, throbbing headache and palpitations. A patient taking metronidazole orally should abstain from drinking alcohol while taking metronidazole and for 48 hours after stopping it.
Uncommonly, reactions have been reported whilst using vaginal metronidazole.
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