Uses of Novamet

Novamet is an antibacterial drug of the nitro-5 imidazole family. The drug has excellent effect in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections associated with anaerobic bacteria and amoebiasis in humans. Belonging to the group of prescription drugs, to ensure the effective use of Novamet, patients also need to follow the instructions of a specialist doctor, and refer to more information about the uses of Novamet in the article below. .

1.1. What is Novamet? Novamet belongs to the group of drugs that treat parasites, infections, viruses, and fungi. The main ingredient is Metronidazole 0.5%.
The drug is prepared in the form of a solution for infusion in a 100ml vial.
Novamet recommended for use in children and adults.
1.2. What does Novamet do? Metronidazol is an antibacterial drug that works well against Giardia, Trichomanas vaginalis, gram-negative anaerobic bacteria including Clostridium, Bacteroides, Helicobacter but has no effect on aerobic bacteria.
Novamet is prescribed by doctors to treat infections caused by Bacteroides fragilis and other strains of Bacteroides such as Eubacteria, Fusobacteria and Anaerobic cocci such as:
Intra-abdominal infections - appendicitis, peritonitis cholecystitis, cholecystitis, liver abscess, postoperative wound infection. Infections in gynecology and obstetrics: Postpartum, pelvic peritonitis, pelvic cellulitis. Lower respiratory tract infections: Empyema, necrotizing pneumonia, lung abscess. Central nervous system infections: Brain abscess, meningitis. Other complicated infections such as gas gangrene, sepsis, osteomyelitis. Prophylaxis of postoperative infections caused by anaerobic bacteria. Treatment of liver abscess caused by amoeba and life-threatening cases or acute gastrointestinal toxicity. Contraindications:
Patients who are allergic to the main active ingredient Metronidazole or any of the excipients of the drug. The patient has a history of blood disorders due to occasional leukopenia during treatment. Patients with neurological diseases. Women who are pregnant in the first trimester or women who are breastfeeding.

2.1. How to take Novamet Drug Novamet is administered intravenously, the drug is infused within 30 to 60 minutes. Medicines must be administered by qualified medical personnel, in medical facilities. Adhere to the correct dosage, route and time of infusion for the patient. Do not arbitrarily add or reduce the prescribed dose 2.2. Dosage of Novamet Adults and children over 12 years of age: Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria: Adults: Start with a dose of 15mg/kg, maintain 7.5mg/kg body weight/ for the next 6 to 8 hours , not more than 4g/24 hours; Children: 35 - 50mg/kg body weight/day divided into 3 times. Prevention of infection during surgery: 15mg/kg body weight 1 hour before surgery, then 6 to 12 hours after that, use a dose of 7.5mg/kg body weight. Systemic amoebic infections: Adults: 500 - 750mg every 8 hours a day for 10 days; Children: 35 - 50mg/kg body weight for 24 hours in 3 divided doses a day for 10 days. Patients with hepatic impairment: Dosage reduction is required. Children < 12 years old: Depending on the degree of infection and clinical symptoms, the doctor should consider the duration of treatment. Depending on the weight of the child, the volume of infusion should be based on a ratio of 7.5 mg/kg body weight. Infuse at a rate of 5ml/min over 20 minutes, then repeat infusion after 8 hours. Handling missed dose: Novamet is administered by medical staff at medical facilities, so it is possible to avoid missed doses. But if it happens accidentally, it is necessary to administer the injection as soon as you remember, but note that the dose needs to be followed by the dose prescribed by the doctor, so it is necessary to calculate the time to continue injecting the next dose. Never give a double dose infusion. Overdose management: Metronidazole overdose: Includes nausea, vomiting, ataxia, cerebrovascular accident and peripheral neurological symptoms. Therapeutic approach applies supportive measures to the patient when needed. Activated charcoal and mild bleach can be used. Use Diazepam or Phenytoin to limit complications.

Do not use Novamet after the expiry date indicated on the package, the drug's sensory is cloudy, the vial is leaky, the sealing cap is open. Monitor white blood cell counts when there is a history of blood dyscrasias or during high-dose and/or prolonged treatment. In the case of patients with leukopenia, continued treatment depends on the severity of the infection. Because the active substance metronidazole is eliminated in high concentrations in breast milk, Novamet should not be used in lactating women, or if used, breast-feeding must be temporarily discontinued. It is not known whether metronidazole affects embryonic development, so Novamet should not be administered to pregnant women during the first trimester.

When using metronidazole, there have been rare but rare reports. Further studies have not been performed to determine the frequency and severity of these side effects, especially with high doses and prolonged use, which are common in severe anaerobic infections.
Common when using Novamet to treat Trichomonas and amoeba: Fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine. Rare cases of peripheral neuropathy with intravenous metronidazole: Ataxia, mild reversible neutropenia, metallic taste in tongue, sensation of redness in the vagina or urethra, tongue hair growth, digestive disorders, diarrhea. Rare: Prolonged high-dose metronidazole treatment in some radiation-sensitive patients, mild seizures have been reported.

If drinking alcohol during treatment can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, blushing. Concomitant administration of disulfiram and metronidazole may result in psychiatric disturbances or possibly exacerbation of neurological conditions. Concomitant use of substances that produce liver enzymes such as phenytoin and phenobarbitone will reduce the elimination half-life and increase the metabolism of metronidazole. Concomitant use of Novamet with cimetidine is contraindicated due to the effect of prolonging the elimination half-life and reducing the plasma clearance of metronidazole. Metronidazole has been reported to enhance the anticoagulant effect of coumarin anticoagulants and prolong the prothrombin time. Therefore, oral anticoagulants should be discontinued at least 24 hours prior to intravenous metronidazole.

The shelf life of Novamet is 24 months from the date of manufacture. Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, places with heat or places that are too humid such as bathrooms. Ideal storage temperature 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. Keep out of reach of small children in the family and pets.