Metrox Tablet 500mg/400mg

About Metrox Tablet 500mg/400mg

Metrox Tablet 500mg/400mg Uses

• Intestinal amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica
• Amoebic dysentery with loose, blood streaked stools
• Chronic or recurrent amoebic infections after an incomplete earlier treatment
• Asymptomatic cyst carrier states of Entamoeba histolytica
• Mixed intestinal parasitic infections that include giardiasis

Metrox Tablet 500mg/400mg Benefits

• Clears both the active trophozoite stage and the dormant cyst stage in one course
• Lower relapse risk compared with a single antiamoebic agent used alone
• A short treatment course, usually five to ten days depending on the case
• An affordable option suited for outpatient treatment across Pakistan
• A combination used in Pakistani gastroenterology practice for decades

Amoebic dysentery is a common gut infection across Pakistan, driven by contaminated water and street food during hot, humid months. Hospitals in Lahore and Karachi see a steady rise in cases each summer, and clinics in Islamabad and Rawalpindi report a similar seasonal pattern. Public health data from these four cities points to poor sanitation and inconsistent water treatment as the main drivers of the infection. Doctors in general medicine and gastroenterology departments across these cities commonly prescribe a diloxanide furoate and metronidazole combination like Metrox Tablet once amoebiasis is confirmed through a stool test. The tablet is stocked at most pharmacies in these urban centers, making it accessible for patients who need prompt treatment. Amoebic infection can spread beyond the gut and affect the liver if left untreated, so early and complete treatment matters. Patients in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are advised to complete the full course even after symptoms ease, since stopping early allows resistant cysts to survive and cause a relapse weeks later.

Metrox Tablet works through two complementary actions against Entamoeba histolytica, the parasite responsible for amoebic dysentery. Metronidazole is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the gut wall and liver, where it interferes with the parasite's DNA and kills the invasive trophozoite form. This action explains why metronidazole alone can control symptoms like abdominal pain and bloody stools fairly quickly. Diloxanide furoate behaves differently. It stays mostly within the intestinal lumen and is not well absorbed into the bloodstream, so it targets the cyst form of the parasite that survives in the gut lining. Cysts are the stage responsible for transmitting the infection to others through contaminated food and water. By combining a systemic amoebicide with a luminal amoebicide in one tablet, Metrox addresses both the disease causing invasive form and the transmission causing cyst form at the same time. This dual action is why combination antiamoebic tablets are generally preferred over metronidazole used alone, especially in regions like Pakistan where reinfection risk from shared water sources remains high.

Metrox Tablet is usually taken with meals to reduce stomach upset, since metronidazole can cause nausea on an empty stomach. A treatment course commonly runs five to ten days, and the exact duration depends on whether the infection is intestinal only or has spread to other organs. Patients should avoid alcohol during treatment and for at least two days after the last dose, because metronidazole can trigger a strong reaction with alcohol that includes flushing, headache and vomiting. A stool test after treatment helps confirm the infection has fully cleared, particularly in patients who remain asymptomatic cyst carriers. Missing doses or stopping the course early is a common reason for relapse, so patients are encouraged to finish the full prescription even if diarrhea improves within the first few days. Anyone with persistent fever, severe abdominal pain or blood in the stool despite treatment should return to their doctor promptly, since this can signal a more serious complication like amoebic liver abscess. Pregnant women and people with liver disease need dose adjustment under medical supervision before starting this combination.

Drug Class

• Antiamoebic combination
• Nitroimidazole antibiotic (metronidazole component)
• Luminal amoebicide (diloxanide furoate component)
• Antiprotozoal agent

Metrox Tablet 500mg/400mg formula

• Diloxanide Furoate 500mg
• Metronidazole 400mg

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Metrox Tablet 500mg/400mg?

• This tablet works best when taken with a meal to reduce stomach upset.
• Each dose should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water.
• The prescribed dose and duration, usually five to ten days, should be followed exactly.
• Doses are best spaced evenly through the day for steady drug levels.
• Alcohol should be avoided during treatment and for two days after the last dose.
• The full course should be completed even if diarrhea improves within a few days.

Drug Interactions

• Alcohol: A severe reaction with flushing, cramping and vomiting can occur when alcohol is combined with metronidazole.
• Warfarin: Metronidazole can increase its blood thinning effect, raising bleeding risk.
• Lithium: Blood lithium levels can rise to unsafe levels when taken together.
• Phenytoin and Phenobarbital: These seizure medicines can lower metronidazole's effectiveness by speeding up its breakdown in the liver.
• Cimetidine: This acid reducing drug can slow metronidazole clearance and raise its blood levels.

Risks and warnings

• Alcohol Interaction: A disulfiram like reaction with flushing, nausea and vomiting can occur if alcohol is taken during or shortly after treatment.
• Liver Function: Caution is needed in patients with liver disease, since both active ingredients are processed by the liver.
• Pregnancy: Use in the first trimester should be avoided unless a doctor considers it clearly necessary.
• Neurological Effects: Numbness, tingling or seizures are rare but serious signs that need immediate medical attention.
• Blood Disorders: Long or repeated courses may lower white blood cell counts, so blood monitoring is advised for extended use.

Side Effects

• Nausea and metallic taste in the mouth
• Loss of appetite and mild stomach discomfort
• Headache and dizziness
• Dark colored urine

• Seizures or numbness in the hands and feet
• Severe skin rash or allergic swelling of the face and throat
• Persistent vomiting or signs of liver problems like yellowing skin

Storage Conditions

Store Metrox Tablet at room temperature, below 30 degrees Celsius. Keep it away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep the strip in its original packaging until use. Keep out of reach of children.