Metrogel 0.75% Gel

What is Metrogel?

Metrogel is an effective, prescription-only topical treatment which is mainly used to treat rosacea.

Metrogel comes in the form of a clear gel, containing the powerful antibiotic metronidazole as the active ingredient.

It can be prescribed for adults over the age of 18 years to treat inflammation, redness and spots caused by the skin condition rosacea.

Metrogel is manufactured by Galderma and comes in 40g tubes.

What is Metrogel used for?

Metrogel is used to treat spots, pimples and redness that are caused by rosacea, a chronic skin condition.

Rosacea mainly affects the face, usually occurring on the cheeks, nose, forehead, chin and eyelids. It can result in increased redness in these areas of the face (also referred to as flushing), as well as acne-like outbreaks.

Rosacea symptoms can vary from person to person, but may include the following:

• Dry skin
• Swelling around the face
• Yellow patches of skin
• Sore, crusty eyelids
• Redness
• Swelling
• A burning sensation
• A stinging sensation when washing the skin
• Small, visible or broken blood vessels in the skin
• Tiny spots or pus-filled pimples

Metrogel can help you to treat these symptoms and clear up skin irritation and inflammation.

Metrogel should not be used to treat acne or other skin conditions. For more information on the best treatment options for acne, visit our dedicated acne treatments and advice page.

If you are unsure as to the cause of your breakouts and you think it may be rosacea, you should speak to your GP for advice and get a diagnosis. From there, you can get prescribed the right treatment for your skin condition.

How does Metrogel treat rosacea?

Metrogel contains the active ingredient metronidazole. Metronidazole is a powerful antibiotic and antimicrobial agent that belongs to a group of medicines called nitroimidazole antibiotics.

When applied directly to the skin in the affected area, the active agent metronidazole targets the bacteria that cause rosacea. It prevents the growth of bacteria by damaging their DNA, which means they are no longer able to multiply. Once the bacteria can no longer grow, the infection becomes under control, and the irritation and inflammation caused by rosacea is reduced.

As well as reducing inflammation of the skin, Metrogel also works to clear up the spots and pimples associated with rosacea.

Metrogel for bacterial vaginosis (BV)

Metrogel contains the same antibiotic, metronidazole, as the treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV).

However, it is not recommended that Metrogel is used to treat infections of the genitals like BV.

At The Independent Pharmacy, we do offer various treatments that can be used to treat BV.

You can find out more about the different treatments available on our bacterial vaginosis treatments page, which also contains helpful information and advice about the condition.

If you are looking for a metronidazole gel to treat BV, you can buy Zidoval vaginal gel discreetly from The Independent Pharmacy here. You can also buy Metronidazole tablets to treat BV, which contain metronidazole here.

Metrogel alternatives

If you are looking for a substitute for Metrogel, there are a few other medicines that will work just as well.

This may be topical metronidazole gel, oral metronidazole tablets, or other medicines which contain other active ingredients to treat rosacea. These may be applied topically to the affected area, or taken via oral administration.

At The Independent Pharmacy, we prescribe and sell various treatments for rosacea in different dosage forms to suit people's individual needs.

These treatments include Finacea, Dermalex, Rozex and Soolantra creams and gels. We also provide treatment in tablet or capsule form. All of these can be viewed and purchased on our rosacea treatments page.

If you are unsure how to treat your rosacea or what might be the best treatment for you it is best to discuss this with a doctor or pharmacist.

Other metronidazole gel-based treatments

If you are specifically looking for a metronidazole gel-based treatment, Rozex gel is an alternative to Metrogel which also contains metronidazole as the active ingredient.

Sources

• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/metronidazole.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metronidazole/
• Metrogel, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/922/pil

Metrogel application

Metrogel is easy to use:

• Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before you start the application
• First, wash the skin in the affected area with warm water and mild soap and dry gently
• Squeeze a small amount of gel onto your fingertips and apply a thin layer of the gel to all the affected areas
• Rub the gel in well
• Replace the cap and wash your hands after use

Metrogel should be applied in this way twice a day, morning and evening. It is only to be applied directly to the affected skin twice a day. Do not use more than this, or more than your doctor advises.

If you forget to use your gel at the right time or miss a dose for whatever reason, don’t worry. Just leave the missed dose, and take your next dose/application as before.

Most people will need to use Metrogel for up to 9 weeks to clear up the infection causing the inflammation and irritation.

Metrogel can be used by people over the age of 18 years old to treat rosacea.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Metrogel.

Metrogel ingredients

Metrogel contains the active ingredient metronidazole.

Metrogel comes as a 0.75% gel, which means that each 1 gram of gel contains 7.5mg of metronidazole.

Metrogel also contains the inactive ingredients: phosphoric acid, hydroxybenzoic acid esters, bronopol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, propylene glycol.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Metrogel.

Metrogel should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Metrogel side effects

Metrogel may cause some people to experience side effects, although not everyone experiences them in the same way.

The most common side effects are mild and will improve once you stop using the gel.

The most commonly reported side effects include:

• Skin irritation
• Dry, itchy skin
• Reddening of the skin
• Burning, pain, and stinging of the skin
• Worsening of rosacea

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Metrogel.

If these side effects do not improve, or you experience more adverse reactions or serious side effects, or if you are concerned in any way, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Metrogel allergic reaction

Serious allergic reactions from this treatment are very rare, but it is possible. This is known as anaphylaxis.

If a serious allergic reaction occurs, you will experience symptoms including:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty talking
• Swelling of the face, mouth, lips, tongue or throat
• Changes to the skin such as itching and redness, swelling or rashes

If you are experiencing an allergic reaction, contact the emergency services or go straight to your local A&E.

Metrogel warnings

Here are a few important points to note about taking Metrogel:

• If you suffer from a blood disorder, speak to a doctor before using Metrogel
• Do not spend prolonged time in sunlight or exposing your skin to UV light when using this medicine
• If you are currently using or have recently stopped using any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines you should tell your doctor or a pharmacist before starting to use Metrogel

Your GP will be able to advise you on how to proceed if you suffer from any health conditions or take prescribed or non-prescribed medicine which put you at risk should you use Metrogel. They may suggest alternative rosacea treatment options if appropriate.

Metrogel and alcohol

Taking Metronidazole orally can react with alcohol. Although this is very unlikely with Metrogel because it is only applied to the skin, you are advised not to drink alcohol while you are using it.

Alcohol can also increase symptoms of rosacea and so only drinking small amounts during a flare-up is advisable.

Metrogel and drug interactions

When topical metronidazole is applied to the skin, it is only absorbed into the bloodstream in very small amounts. This means it is very unlikely to affect any other medicines that you are taking at the same time.

Very rarely, people taking anticoagulant (blood clotting) medicines such as warfarin or coumarin have found that using Metrogel has enhanced the effect of their anticoagulant. Contact your doctor for advice if you take this medication or suffer from blood disorders.

You can find more drug information in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Metrogel & pregnancy

If you are suffering from rosacea and are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist before using Metrogel. They will be able to advise you about the best course of treatment.