Is brown discharge after taking Metronidazole normal?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
Is brown discharge after taking Metronidazole normal?
Brown discharge after taking Metronidazole could be normal, although it is not listed as a common side effect (1,2). If you’re near your menstrual cycle or you’re just done with it, the drug discharge could simply be old blood. However, you need to observe the quantity of your discharge.
Leftover blood should be in small quantities, like spots. If your discharge is heavy, you should talk to your healthcare provider. Another possibility of such discharge is the concomitant use of Metronidazole with birth control pills.
The antibiotic can make your pills ineffective and it may lead to hormonal changes in your body. The brown discharge could be a result of hormonal action (3).
What does research suggest?
There is limited research on brown discharge caused by Metronidazole use. However, it is believed that the mechanism responsible for this occurrence is the impact of Metronidazole on the normal bacteria present in the feminine area (1,4).
Metronidazole works by targeting and killing certain bacteria or parasites in the body. However, it can also affect the balance of bacteria in the private area, leading to changes in discharge.
The brown discharge that some individuals may experience after taking Metronidazole is thought to be a result of the alteration in the feminine area microbiota (1,4).
This can disrupt the normal pH levels and create an environment where old blood or other substances mix with secretions from the feminne area, leading to the appearance of brown-coloured discharge.
It’s important to note that not everyone will experience brown discharge while taking Metronidazole, and the occurrence and severity of side effects can vary from person to person.
What to do if you are concerned about Metronidazole-induced brown discharge from the private area?
If you are concerned about brown discharge from the feminine area while taking Metronidazole, it is important to reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance and reassurance.
It’s possible that the brown discharge is a normal side effect of the medication, but it’s always a good idea to discuss any concerns or persistent symptoms with your healthcare provider.
They may recommend monitoring the discharge, adjusting the dosage or duration of the medication, or suggesting additional tests if needed. Remember, your healthcare provider is there to support you and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Final words
To sum up, Metronidazole can trigger temporary brown feminine-area discharge and it’s not usually considered dangerous. However, people are different and they can respond differently to medications.
It is crucial to ensure the safe and effective use of Metronidazole and not pair it with anything that is not compatible either with the antibiotic or your current symptoms – like the excessive use of alcohol.
If you are concerned about anything or your symptoms don’t get better while taking Metronidazole, please reach out to your doctor or pharmacist.
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References
1.-
Weir CB, Le JK. Metronidazole. 2023 Feb 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30969550. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539728
2.-
Rosenblatt JE, Edson RS. Metronidazole. Mayo Clin Proc. 1983 Mar;58(3):154-7. PMID: 6600804. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6600804/
3.-
Bishop GB. Vaginal Discharge. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd ed. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 172. PMID: 21250124. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK281
4.-
Hernández Ceruelos A, Romero-Quezada LC, Ruvalcaba Ledezma JC, López Contreras L. Therapeutic uses of metronidazole and its side effects: an update. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Jan;23(1):397-401. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201901_16788. PMID: 30657582. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30657582/
