Metronidazole
Last updated: 21/04/2021
(Also known as: metronidazol ; MTZ)
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
Human health
Used to treat infections caused mainly by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and protozoa
Current
1957, introduced
Cattle, Dogs, Cats, Horses, Donkeys
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C₆H₉N₃O₃
CC1=NC=C(N1CCO)[N+](=O)[O-]
No data
VAOCPAMSLUNLGC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI=1S/C6H9N3O3/c1-5-7-4-6(9(11)12)8(5)2-3-10/h4,10H,2-3H2,1H3
Yes
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams
Common Name
Relationship
Link
metronidazole
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Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Antiprotozoal
Imidazole
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Synthetic
Systemic. Metronidazole is reduced as it enters the target cell where it interacts with bacterial or protozoal DNA causing a loss of helical structure and strand breakage in the DNA leading to eventual death of the cell
[DNA, binder], [Oxygen-insensitive NADPH nitroreductase, potentiator], [Periplasmic (Fe) hydrogenase 1, antagonist]
443-48-1
207-136-1
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120401
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QJ01RA04
Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for systemic use
No
Prohibited
171.15
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2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol
1-(β-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5- nitroimidazole
Evidence of use in third world countries
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White to pale yellow crystalline solid
Stomorgyl 10 Film-coated Tablets
Merial Animal Health Ltd
UK National authorisation
Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Stomorgyl 2 Film-coated Tablets
Merial Animal Health Ltd
UK National authorisation
Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Stomorgyl 20 Film-coated Tablets
Merial Animal Health Ltd
UK National authorisation
Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Usually supplied in tablet form for oral administration
9500
High
5000
Ethanol
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500
Ether
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500
Chloroform
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158
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
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9.55 X 10-01
Calculated
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-0.02
Low
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2.38
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Strong acid
0.04
Low volatility
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No absorption >290 nm
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16.1
soil-manure slurry mix Slightly persistent DT₅₀ range 9.7–26.8 days,
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Soil adsorption and mobility
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R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 4 = Verified data
Mobile
47
General literature states Kd range 0.54-0.67 mL g⁻¹, Koc range 39-56 mL g⁻¹, soils=4
0.77
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 4 = Verified data
Mobile
56.1
1.35
General literature Kf range 0.74-0.80 mL g⁻¹, Kfoc range 50.0-71.8 mL g⁻¹, 1.n range 1.27-1.43, soils=4
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Known soil and groundwater metabolites
None
2-hydroxy metronidazole
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Humans/Animals (Liver)
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1-acetic acid-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole
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1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-carboxylic acid-5-nitroimidazole salt
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-
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Terrestrial ecotoxicology
> 500
Rat
Moderate
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> 5000
Anas platyrhynchos
Low
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1060
Cyprinodon variegatus
Low
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> 1000
Daphnia magna
Low
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182
Americamysis bahia
Low
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40.4
Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata
Low
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
High (class III)
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> 500
Rat
Moderate
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Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 3640 mg kg⁻¹
Mouse
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Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 870 mg kg⁻¹
Mouse
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Eliminated with some hepatic metabolism mainly in the faeces but some also lost with urine
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Carcinogen
Endocrine disruptor
?Possibly, status not identified
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative
No data found
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
No data found
yes
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
?Possibly, status not identified
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
 
?Possibly, status not identified
No data found
 
May cause headaches, nausea and diarrhoea Associated with the development of leukopenia, neutropenia and increased risk of peripheral neuropathy
No information available
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None - not a ppp
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metronidazole
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metronidazol
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Record last updated:
21/04/2021
Contact:
aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal , 22 (4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242