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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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METRONIDAZOLE (NDA-018930)

(METRONIDAZOLE)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

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07/08/2024 (SUPPL-16)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

WARNINGS

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) including toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens- Johnson syndrome (SJS), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported with the use of metronidazole. Symptoms can be serious and potentially life threatening. If symptoms or signs of SCARs develop, discontinue Metronidazole tablets immediately and institute appropriate therapy.

PRECAUTIONS

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Advise patients that Metronidazole tablets may increase the risk of serious and sometimes fatal dermatologic reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Instruct the patient to be alert for skin rash, blisters, fever or other signs and symptoms of these hypersensitivity reactions. Advise patients to stop Metronidazole tablets immediately if they develop any type of rash and seek medical attention.

6 Adverse Reactions

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Central Nervous System: The most serious adverse reactions reported in patients treated with metronidazole have been convulsive seizures, encephalopathy, aseptic meningitis, optic and peripheral neuropathy, the latter characterized mainly by numbness or paresthesia of an extremity. Since persistent peripheral neuropathy has been reported in some patients receiving prolonged administration of metronidazole, patients should be specifically warned about these reactions and should be told to stop the drug and report immediately to their physicians if any neurologic symptoms occur. In addition, patients have reported headache, syncope, dizziness, vertigo, incoordination, ataxia, tinnitus, hearing impairment, hearing loss, confusion, dysarthria, irritability, depression, weakness, and insomnia (see WARNINGS).

Hypersensitivity: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) (see WARNINGS), urticaria, erythematous rash, flushing, nasal congestion, dryness of the mouth (or vagina or vulva), and fever.

12/15/2021 (SUPPL-15)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

4 Contraindications

Additions and/or revisions underlined

Cockayne Syndrome

Metronidazole tablets are contraindicated in patients with Cockayne syndrome. Severe irreversible hepatotoxicity/acute liver failure with fatal outcomes have been reported after initiation of metronidazole in patients with Cockayne syndrome (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

6 Adverse Reactions

Additions underlined

Hepatic: Cases of severe irreversible hepatotoxicity/acute liver failure, including cases with fatal outcomes with very rapid onset after initiation of systemic use of metronidazole, have been reported in patients with Cockayne Syndrome (latency from drug start to signs of liver failure as short as 2 days) (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

03/05/2021 (SUPPL-14)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

PRECAUTIONS

Additions underlined

Drug Interactions

Drugs that Prolong the QT interval

QT prolongation has been reported, particularly when metronidazole was administered with drugs with the potential for prolonging the QT interval.

6 Adverse Reactions

Additions underlined

Cardiovascular: QT prolongation has been reported, particularly when metronidazole was administered with drugs with the potential for prolonging the QT interval. Flattening of the T- wave may be seen in electrocardiographic tracings.