Metronidazole Benzoate — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Retail (no-insurance) prices we found for Metronidazole Benzoate range up to about $122.53 depending on pharmacy, form, and quantity. With a free pharmacy discount card, the lowest price we found was $53.43. Your actual price depends on the exact strength, quantity, and pharmacy — see the tables above.

Yes — our pricing data includes at least one generic listing for Metronidazole Benzoate. Generics contain the same active ingredient and are typically the lowest-cost option; check the price tables above for the generic rows specifically.

As of our 2026-08-18 snapshot, Metronidazole Injection was listed as in shortage (openFDA live API (api.fda.gov/drug/shortages)). Availability can change quickly and vary by pharmacy — call ahead, and see our shortage tracker for the latest snapshot.

Metronidazole Benzoate belongs to the bulk chemicals - me's class of antibiotics. WHO classifies it as an 'Access' antibiotic under its AWaRe stewardship framework.

• Metronidazole is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal agent commonly prescribed off-label in veterinary medicine to treat feline gastrointestinal conditions, including diarrhea, intestinal inflammation, and infections caused by bacteria or parasites, despite lacking FDA approval for animal use.
• Dosing ranges from 10 to 30 mg per kilogram of body weight, administered orally or intravenously every 12 hours. The medication must always be given with food to reduce the likelihood of side effects such as excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms.
• Although generally well-tolerated, metronidazole can cause toxicity when given at doses exceeding recommended levels or for extended durations. Potential adverse effects include gastrointestinal upset, neurological disturbances (tremors, seizures, abnormal eye movements), allergic reactions, and changes in white blood cell or liver enzyme levels.
• Metronidazole should not be used in pregnant or nursing cats, or those with hepatic or renal disease. It may interact with anti-epileptic drugs, acid-reducing agents, immunosuppressants, and anticoagulants. When metronidazole is ineffective, veterinarians may recommend dietary modification, probiotic supplementation, and further diagnostic testing to identify the underlying cause.

Persistent diarrhea in cats can frustrate pet owners and signal an underlying health issue that warrants veterinary attention. When conservative management fails, antibiotics often become a key treatment strategy. Metronidazole ranks among the most frequently prescribed medications in veterinary practice for addressing gastrointestinal infections and related digestive disorders in felines.

Metronidazole is both an antibiotic and antiprotozoal drug marketed as Flagyl in human medicine and prescribed across both human and animal healthcare. The medication targets anaerobic bacteria (microorganisms that survive without oxygen), microaerophilic bacteria (those thriving in low-oxygen conditions), and protozoa such as giardia. Because animal physiology differs significantly from human biology, understanding proper administration, efficacy, potential risks, and contraindications before giving this drug to your cat is essential. This guide covers how metronidazole functions in felines, administration techniques, possible adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinical situations in which it should be avoided.

In human medicine, metronidazole carries FDA approval for specific bacterial infections. The drug penetrates microorganisms and disrupts their cellular reproduction processes, ultimately destroying the pathogenic cells. While not formally approved by the FDA for veterinary use, veterinarians routinely prescribe metronidazole off-label in cats when medically indicated.

"Metronidazole is commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, inflammation of the intestines, or certain types of infections caused by bacteria or parasites," says Maria Baker, DVM, founder of Pet-How. According to Dr. Baker, metronidazole represents a reasonable treatment option for cats without a documented history of adverse reactions to the medication.

The drug eliminates anaerobic bacterial infections stemming from bacteria normally residing harmlessly in the body. These organisms can trigger infection when tissues are damaged or wounds expose deeper layers. Characteristic symptoms of anaerobic infections include elevated temperature, decreased appetite, delayed wound healing, and purulent discharge.

Metronidazole also effectively treats giardia, a protozoal gastrointestinal infection transmitted between cats through contact with infected stool. Research published in 2004 demonstrated that a dosing regimen of 25 mg/kg administered twice daily for seven days successfully halted giardia cyst shedding in cats and was deemed both effective and safe.

Additional uses of metronidazole in feline patients encompass management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), parasitic infections, dental infections (periodontal disease), skin and soft tissue infections, and gastric infections caused by helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Metronidazole is manufactured in multiple formulations: tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions, and injectable solutions. A powdered variant called metronidazole benzoate exists as a less bitter alternative; veterinarians frequently combine it with flavoring agents to facilitate administration in resistant cats.

According to Sara Ochoa, DVM, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of West Monroe and co-founder of howto-pets.com, several clinical factors influence dosing decisions. Veterinarians evaluate the cat's weight, the specific diagnosis, individual health status, treatment response, and planned therapy duration when calculating an appropriate dose.

Standard metronidazole dosing spans 10 to 30 mg per kilogram of body weight, given orally or intravenously at 12-hour intervals.

Administering metronidazole with food minimizes the risk of adverse effects. Dr. Ochoa recommends the following practical approaches for delivering this medication to your cat:

Tablet form can be crushed into fine powder and thoroughly mixed into a small portion of wet food. Alternatively, a pet-specific pill gun allows you to safely deposit the tablet deep in the cat's throat with minimal discomfort. Monitor to confirm the cat actually swallows the medication rather than spitting it out. If your cat struggles with pill administration, request a liquid version from your veterinarian.

Liquid suspensions require precise measurement using a syringe calibrated for the suspension's concentration. To enhance palatability, combine the prescribed liquid dose with small amounts of wet food or a favorite treat, ensuring your cat consumes the entire portion to receive the full therapeutic amount.

Compounded formulations work well for cats refusing medicated food or displaying behavioral resistance. Ask your veterinarian about creating a flavored liquid or specially prepared treat containing the medication. When oral administration proves impractical or cases are more severe, your veterinarian can administer metronidazole intravenously, typically requiring hospitalization for proper infusion management.

According to Dr. Ochoa, the timeframe for therapeutic benefit varies by individual cat and infection severity. "In general, the medication starts to take effect within a few hours to a few days after starting the treatment," she explains. Chronic conditions such as IBD may require several weeks before meaningful improvement becomes apparent.

Dr. Ochoa emphasizes that "It's important to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed by the veterinarian—even if the cat's symptoms seem to have resolved. This is to ensure complete eradication of the infection and prevent relapse."

The unpleasant bitter flavor of metronidazole frequently causes minor reactions in felines, including excessive drooling, gagging, or foaming at the mouth. Dr. Ochoa notes that more serious adverse effects, though less common, can also develop:

Gastrointestinal disturbances may manifest as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or reduced appetite. These effects are typically mild and often subside spontaneously within several days despite being uncomfortable for the cat.

Neurological complications occur rarely but can be significant. High doses and extended treatment periods create risk for tremors, confusion, abnormal movement patterns, nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), and seizures. Any unusual behavioral changes or muscle twitching during therapy warrants immediate veterinary evaluation.

Allergic responses may present as facial edema, urticaria, pruritus, or respiratory compromise. Report these signs promptly to your veterinarian.

Leukopenia (low white blood cell count), though uncommon, can occur in some cats. Since white blood cells defend against infection, a reduced count may compromise immune function. Periodic blood work allows monitoring of cell counts during extended treatment.

Elevated liver enzymes occasionally develop during metronidazole therapy in both dogs and cats. Blood testing to assess hepatic function is typically recommended when treatment extends over longer periods.

Metronidazole elimination typically requires 24 to 48 hours after the final dose. However, individual variation exists; Dr. Ochoa notes that metabolic rate, age, and overall health status can accelerate or slow drug clearance from the system.

Studies of metronidazole benzoate confirmed safety in cats with giardia infections when administered orally twice daily for one week, with no observed signs of toxicity in study subjects. However, veterinary experts stress the importance of establishing a definitive diagnosis before treatment. For instance, antibiotics like metronidazole could exacerbate diarrhea if its cause remains unidentified; confirming giardia presence through fecal examination before administering therapy helps avoid this complication.

Toxic effects emerge when metronidazole dosing exceeds recommended levels or continues for prolonged intervals. Research documented neurological dysfunction—specifically generalized seizures—when one cat received metronidazole at 222 mg per kilogram daily. Another cat administered metronidazole at 58 mg per kilogram for half a year developed gait disturbances, balance difficulties, and cognitive changes. Both cats recovered following hospitalization and medication discontinuation.

Inform your veterinarian of all medications your cat receives to identify potential drug interactions. Metronidazole efficacy decreases when combined with anti-epileptic agents such as phenobarbital and phenytoin. These drugs accelerate metronidazole metabolism, causing the antibiotic to clear from the system faster and reducing its therapeutic window.

Coadministration with cimetidine, an acid-reducing medication, raises the risk of adverse metronidazole effects; dose adjustment or selection of an alternative antacid may become necessary.

Concurrent use of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressive agent, may amplify cyclosporine side effects since metronidazole can elevate cyclosporine concentrations in the bloodstream.

When a cat takes warfarin alongside metronidazole, the latter drug slows warfarin breakdown. "This can result in an enhanced anticoagulant effect of warfarin, potentially leading to an increased risk of bleeding," notes Dr. Baker. Watch closely for bleeding indicators—epistaxis, bruising, hematuria, or melena—when both drugs are used together.

Certain clinical scenarios make metronidazole inappropriate. Dr. Baker identifies these as cats with documented hypersensitivity or prior adverse reactions to the drug. Additionally, when diarrhea etiology remains uncertain or the cat has concurrent disease, metronidazole may not represent the optimal choice.

Because metronidazole passes into lactation secretions, nursing cats and young kittens should not receive it. Pregnant cats must avoid this medication due to potential teratogenic effects. Cats with existing liver or kidney compromise typically require alternative medications.

When cats fail to respond to metronidazole therapy, implementing supportive dietary management becomes important. "Try feeding your cat a bland diet consisting of easily digestible foods such as boiled chicken or plain cooked rice," Dr. Baker suggests. "This soothes the digestive system and provides some relief." Probiotic supplementation can restore beneficial intestinal flora. Diagnostic fecal testing remains critical for identifying underlying parasitic or other intestinal diseases.

Dr. Baker underscores the significance of adequate hydration for "managing diarrhea and preventing dehydration." Contact your veterinarian for professional guidance if therapy fails or metronidazole toxicity signs emerge.

Sources:

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• www.petmd.com
• journals.sagepub.com
• cdn.ymaws.com
• ivcjournal.com