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NCI Drug Dictionary


metronidazole hydrochloride 
The hydrochloride salt of a synthetic nitroimidazole derivative with antiprotozoal and antibacterial activities. Although its mechanism of action is not fully elucidated, un-ionized metronidazole is readily taken up by obligate anaerobic organisms and is subsequently reduced by low-redox potential electron-transport proteins to an active, intermediate product. Reduced metronidazole causes DNA strand breaks, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis and bacterial cell growth. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
US brand names:Flagyl
Metro I.V.
Satric
Abbreviation:METRO