A family member has been prescribed topical metronidazole for a bacterial vaginal infection. While reading the informational pamphlet, one of the side effects listed is "upset stomach". And she appears to be experiencing this side effect. It doesn't appear serious enough to stop the medication. But what I can't figure out is, how does a topical vaginal medication (this is not a pill to be swallowed, it is the cream to be inserted with the applicator) cause an upset stomach? I don't understand the connection at all. Can anyone explain this?
The skin, especially mucous membranes, can take up medication just like if you were to swallow them. Since this is an antibioticum it can cause the same side effects oral or intravenous antibiotics may have, including an upset stomach. Taking probiotics during and after treatment may be helpful.
My best guess is that since its topical, it enters the bloodstream and therefore could potentially give you an upset tummy. I wouldn't guess this side effect is common, but it is a potential one. Hope this makes sense.
Anything you put on your skin (no matter where) will get absorbed into the body and affect other parts of the body. It would be like drinking a beer and wondering why it affects your brain.
Hi E.,
The answer to your question is that anything you put on your skin is absorbed just as if you ingested it by mouth. In less than 15 seconds it is absorbed into your blood stream. That is why anything you use topically should be as safe as if you were eating it. I hope she feels better soon & if you have any more questions about health, beauty & wellness needs that are safe to use I'd love to talk with you more. Take care, G
Like the others wrote, yes it is being absorbed into your system and for some people, metronidazole is very upsetting to the stomach. Be sure you are not consuming any alcohol or anything with alcohol in it, ie: cough medicine, wine, etc. while using metronidazole.
http://www.drugs.com/disease-interactions/metronidazole-t...
All manufacturers of medications, OTC and RX, must report ALL complaints that a person has during a trial of this drug before it hits the market. Perhaps this is related to the actual medicine, as it does get into the bloodstream despite being just locally applied, and is causing her upset stomach. Or, perhaps it is just a reportable "side effect" potentially unrelated. Sometimes it is best not to read all random side effects of a medicine, especially if it is not bothersome or significant enough to warrant discontinuation, as power of suggestion is....powerful.
Anything consumed or applied to the body can travel through the bloodstream and cause side effects. And if it wasn't absorbed by the body it wouldn't be effective as a medication in the first place.
