title: Metronidazole: an alternate therapy for antibiotic-associated colitis.
abstract: The results of treatment of 13 consecutive cases of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis with oral metronidazole are described. The diagnosis was made by typical sigmoidoscopic appearance with a confirming characteristic colonic biopsy specimen and/or stools positive for Clostridium difficile cytotoxin. All patients responded with the disappearance of diarrhea between 1 and 5 days. Two patients experienced relapse when the therapy was discontinued. Our experience with metronidazole shows that it is an effective treatment for antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. The response to metronidazole treatment compares favorably with that usually obtained with vancomycin.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D014640:Vancomycin