The group of nitroimidazole derivatives includes such drugs: tinidazole, nimorazole, pretomanid, megazol, azanidazole, ornidazole, dimetridazole, metronidazole.<br /><br />The basis of nitroimidazoles is imidazole, which is converted by nitrification (with nitric and sulfuric acids) into 5-nitro-1H-imidazole.<br /><br />Metronidazole is a drug with the formula 2-(2-methyl-5-nitroimidazol-1-yl) ethanol (IUPAC). Cream-colored crystalline powder with a slight odor, molar mass 171 g/mol, melting point 159-163 °C, solubility in water 11 g/l.<br /><br />The most famous names of metronidazole are: flagyl, trichopolum.<br /><br />Trichopolum contains the following chemical elements: carbon (42%), hydrogen (5.3%), nitrogen (24.5%), oxygen (28%).<br /><br />Identifiers (registration codes) for metronidazole: CAS number: 443-48-1, EU number: 207-136-1, NSC number 757118, PubChem CID: 4173; DrugBank: DB00916; ChemSpider: 4029; KEGG: D00409; UNII: 140QMO216E; CheBI: 6909; NIAID ChemDB: 007953.<br /><br />The story of metronidazole begins in 1955 when Nakumura discovers aomycin (nitroimidazole). In 1956, Hori demonstrates the antiprotozoal properties of nitroimidazole. In 1957, 5-NIMZ-metronidazole was synthesized. In 1960, this drug was first used to treat trichomonas infection, and in 1961 and 1969 for the treatment of giardiasis and balantidiasis.<br /><br />The price of metronidazole varies between $0.00015/tablet in Iran to $1.83 in the UK.<br /><br />Metronidazole can be administered orally, parenterally, rectally and topically.<br /><br />Flagyl is readily absorbed in the intestines, and after 1 hour quickly forms high concentrations in the blood, which can be maintained for therapeutic purposes up to 6 hours. It spreads in various organs and tissues: in the central nervous system, liver, prostate gland, brain, lungs, bone tissue.<br /><br />Metronidazole is excreted mainly in the urine (about 50%, according to other sources 10-20%), up to 50% is destroyed in the liver and about 7% is excreted in the bile.<br /><br />Such microorganisms are sensitive to Trichopolum: balantidia, trichomonads, fusobacteria, clostridia, anaerobic cocci, bacteroids, amoeba, giardia.<br /><br />Many aerobic bacteria are sensitive to metronidazole, including staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.<br /><br />The mechanism of action of metronidazole on anaerobic bacteria is that it acts on the RNA (ribonucleic acid) of the bacteria, destroying them.<br /><br />Trichopol shows synergy with rifampicin and nalidixic acid.<br /><br />Metronidazole is resistant to purulent exudate enzymes, for this reason it can be used for purulent wounds.<br /><br />The use of flagyl in ulcerative and pseudomembranous colitis is due to the fact that it has a decongestant effect and stimulates the regeneration of the intestinal mucosa.<br /><br />This medicine is used in the treatment of trichomoniasis in women and men, amoebic dysentery, giardiasis and balantidiasis.
