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Metronidazole 0.75% w/w gel – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: Prescription only (POM) Details

Medicine strength:
0.75% w/w (7.5 mg/gram)
Other strengths and forms:
Contains active substance:
ATC code:
Similar medicines:

Sources: Original (products.mhra.gov.uk) · About this document

Patient leaflet - Metronidazole 0.75% w/w gel

1. What Metronidazole is and what it is used for

  • Your doctor has prescribed this gel for your skin condition, rosacea.
  • It helps to treat the pimples, pustules (spots) and redness found with this condition.

  • Metronidazole contains the active substance metronidazole. Metronidazole

    belongs to a group of medicines called antiprotozoal and antibacterial agents and has been shown to help to control infection and inflammation in certain skin problems, such as rosacea.

2. What you need to know before you use Metronidazole

Do not use Metronidazole

  • If you are allergic to metronidazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (see

    section 6 for other ingredients). An allergic reaction may include a rash or itching. Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Metronidazole.

  • Do not get the gel in your eyes. If you do so, rinse thoroughly with large amounts

    of warm water or eye wash.

  • If you suffer from any blood disorders do not use Metronidazole unless your doctor

    says you can.

  • This product should not be used in children.

  • Do not go out into strong sunlight (including sun-bathing) and avoid exposure to

    ultra-violet light (eg solariums, sun-lamps) while you are using this product.

  • Avoid prolonged and unnecessary use of this medicine.

Other medicines and Metronidazole.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

  • Using metronidazole could interfere with drugs used to thin the blood (anticoagulants)

    such as warfarin and dicoumarin. Contact your doctor for advice if you are taking medicines to thin your blood, or if you suffer from any other blood disorders.

Metronidazole with alcohol

Metronidazole taken by mouth can react with alcohol. This reaction is unlikely with metronidazole Gel because it is only applied on the skin. However, you are advised not to drink alcohol while you are using Metronidazole Gel.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

  • If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it may not be advisable to use this product,

    unless your doctor considers it essential.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Metronidazole Gel contains:

  • methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216)

    which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed),

  • 30mg propylene glycol (E1520) in each gram which is equivalent to 3% w/w, it

    may cause skin irritation.

3. How to use Metronidazole

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor had told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Adult and the elderly

  • First wash and dry the affected areas of your skin.

  • Apply a thin layer of the gel to all the affected areas - be careful also not to get it in

    your eyes.

  • Rub the gel in well.
  • Always replace the cap and wash your hands after use.

  • Your gel should be used in this way twice a day, (morning and evening), or as

    advised by your doctor.

    Package leaflet: Information for the user Metronidazole 0.75% w/w Gel

    metronidazole

    • Your doctor will decide how long you need to use Metronidazole to keep your rosacea under control.

If you use more Metronidazole than you should or accidentally swallow the gel

  • This product is for use on the skin only. Do not swallow it. If you accidentally do so, seek medical advice.

If you forget to use Metronidazole

  • Although this gel works best if you use it regularly as directed, don't worry if you forget to use your gel at the right time. When you do remember, start using it again in the same way as before.

If you stop taking Metronidazole

Rosacea may respond slowly to antibiotics. It is important that you continue using Metronidazole until your doctor tells you to stop. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

  • dry skin
  • redness of the skin (erythema)
  • itching of the skin (pruritus)
  • skin discomfort (burning, pain of skin / stinging)
  • skin irritation
  • worsening of rosacea

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

  • numbness (hypothesia) and tingling (paraesthesia) in the fingers or toes
  • metallic taste (dysgeusia)
  • feeling sick (nausea)

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

  • contact dermatitis
  • swelling of the face
  • peeling skin (exfoliation)

If skin irritation should occur either use the gel a little less often or even stop using it until the irritation settles down. Seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist if necessary.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Metronidazole

  • Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the tube and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
  • Once opened use within 17 weeks (4 months).
  • This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Metronidazole contains

The active substance is metronidazole. One gram of gel contains 7.5 mg of Metronidazole.

The other ingredients are carbopol 980, disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), propylene glycol (E1520), sodium hydroxide(for pH adjustment) & purified water.

What Metronidazole looks like and contents of the pack

Colourless to pale yellow homogeneous gel, which may turn to slightly brown colour over time.

White closed mouth aluminium collapsible tube with lacquered and crimp sealant inside closed with white FEZ HDPE cap with puncture tip; pack sizes of 30g & 40g Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Brown & Burk UK Limited

Micro House

Bury Street

Ruislip

HA4 7TL

United Kingdom

This leaflet was last revised in 05/2026.

Size: 110(L) x 300(W) mm

Front Side

Size: 110(L) x 300(W) mm

Back Side

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 25298/0424

Last revision stated in the text: May 2026 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Metronidazole 0.75% w/w gel

Prescription needed? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substance Metronidazole
Strength 0.75% w/w (7.5 mg/gram)
Pharmaceutical form Cutaneous gel
Colourless to pale yellow homogeneous gel, which may turn to slightly brown colour over time.
How is it taken Cutaneous
Excipients carbopol 980, disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) propylene glycol (E1520), sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) purified water
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 3 years
Once opened use within 17 weeks (4 months)
Storage This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.
Drug group (ATC) Chemotherapeutics for external use
  1. D Dermatologicals
    1. D06 Antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for dermatological use
      1. D06B Chemotherapeutics for topical use
        1. D06BX Other chemotherapeutics
          1. D06BX01 metronidazole
Marketing authorisation PL 25298/0424 (first authorised 1 July 2026)
Marketing authorisation holder Brown & Burk UK Limited
Codes BNF 13100102

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.