Can we use metronidazole during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Putting an end to the controversy.
OBJECTIVE
Two of my patients have been diagnosed with giardiasis, and I would like to treat them with the drug of choice for this infection, metronidazole (Flagyl). One of them is 6 weeks pregnant and the other is breastfeeding a 2-month-old infant, and I have received conflicting information about the safety of this drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding. What should I do?


CONCLUSIONS
Although metronidazole has been on the market for almost 40 years, its use remains controversial during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Recent evidence has shown, however, that this drug is not associated with adverse effects during either pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Einarson
A
A
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
Ho
E
E
Koren
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole