Vitazol Topical

If your rosacea does not improve within 3 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor. However, treatment of rosacea may take up to 9 weeks or longer before you see full improvement.

Stinging or burning of the skin may be expected after this medicine is applied. These effects may last up to a few minutes or more. If irritation continues, check with your doctor. You may have to use the medicine less often or stop using it altogether. Follow your doctor's directions.

You may continue to use cosmetics (make-up) while you are using this medicine for rosacea. However, it is best to use only “oil-free” cosmetics. Also, it is best not to use cosmetics too heavily or too often. They may make your rosacea worse. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Dry skin
• redness or other signs of skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
• stinging or burning of the skin
• watering of eyes

• Metallic taste in the mouth
• nausea
• tingling or numbness of arms, legs, hands, or feet

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

This medication is used on the skin to treat a certain skin disorder known as rosacea, a type of adult acne. It may help to decrease redness, swelling and the number of pimples caused by rosacea.

This medication is an antibiotic. For the treatment of rosacea, metronidazole is believed to work by decreasing swelling (inflammation). Some brands of this medication also contain sunscreens (see also Notes section).

How to use Vitazol Cream

Use this medication on the skin only. Wash and dry your hands before and after applying this medication. Wash and dry the area to be treated. Wait 15 minutes, then apply a thin layer of medication usually once or twice daily, or as directed by your doctor. Wait 5 minutes before applying cosmetics.

Avoid using this medication around the eye area, unless directed by your doctor. Watery eyes or tearing of the eyes may occur if this medication is applied too close to the eyes. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this occurs, rinse your eyes with large amounts of cool water.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day.

It may take about three weeks before any improvement is seen, and up to nine weeks for full benefit. If no improvement is seen after three weeks, consult your doctor.

Stinging, burning, skin irritation, dryness, redness, metallic taste, nausea, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: tingling or numbness of the hands and feet.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

Sun exposure can worsen rosacea. Limit exposure to the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and using a sunscreen that is SPF 15 or greater. If your brand already contains a sunscreen, you should use a regular sunscreen (without the metronidazole) on areas of skin not treated with this medication.

Avoid certain triggers that may worsen rosacea such as wind, hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, and extreme cold. Discuss with your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.Information last revised June 2017. Copyright(c) 2017 First Databank, Inc.

Applies to metronidazole topical: topical cream, topical gel, topical kit, topical lotion, vaginal gel with applicator

General

Topical: The most frequently reported side effects were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache.

Vaginal: The most frequently reported side effects were fungal infection, vulvovaginal candidiasis, headache, vulvovaginal pruritus, nausea, diarrhea, metrorrhagia, breast pain, infection, rash, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, pruritus, and dysmenorrhea.[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Mild dryness (17.1%), mild scaling (16.2%)
Common (1% to 10%): Moderate dryness, moderate scaling, mild pruritus, moderate pruritus, severe pruritus, mild stinging/burning, moderate stinging/burning, severe stinging/burning, local allergic reaction
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Severe dryness, severe scaling
Frequency not reported: Application site reaction, condition aggravated, transient redness[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea, breast pain, metrorrhagia, vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal pruritus, urinary tract infection, vaginal itching/irritation/burning/numbness, pelvic discomfort, vaginal discharge
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vaginal mycosis, urine discolored, vulva edema, menstrual discomfort/irregularities, vaginal spotting/bleeding
Frequency not reported: Breast enlargement, dysuria, female lactation, labial edema, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, salpingitis, urinary frequency, vaginitis, vulvovaginal disorder[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, gastritis, tooth disorder, gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal cramps, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation, dry mouth, abdominal bloating/noise
Frequency not reported: Dyspepsia, flatulence, gingivitis[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tingling/numb extremities, taste metallic, dysgeusia, paresthesia, hypothesia
Frequency not reported: Peripheral neuropathy, ataxia
Postmarketing reports: Taste perversion[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, nasal congestion
Frequency not reported: Asthma, rhinitis[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash, contact dermatitis, dry skin, skin discomfort, burning/stinging, erythema, worsening of rosacea, skin irritation
Frequency not reported: Acne, sweating, urticaria, skin exfoliation, facial edema, zoster lesion, nose pustule, vesicular bullous eruption
Postmarketing reports: Hyperpigmentation, pigmentation disorder, hypertrichosis[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fungal infection (12%), flu syndrome (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Infection, influenza, abscess, pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue
Frequency not reported: Mucous membrane disorder[Ref]

Psychiatric

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, difficult sleep, irritability
Frequency not reported: Insomnia[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Back pain, cramp[Ref]

Oncologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Basal cell carcinoma
Frequency not reported: Skin cancer[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Eye irritation, watery eye
Postmarketing reports: Eyelid edema[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Liver function test abnormal[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Appetite decreased
Frequency not reported: Anorexia, hypomagnesemia[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Pyelonephritis[Ref]

Some side effects of Vitazol may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.