In Reply: Metronidazole Use

Abstract

We appreciate the thoughtful comments included in this letter about the possible toxicity of metronidazole and the efficacy of ampicillin for the treatment of nonspecific vaginitis. The concern about carcinogenicity is real, but metronidazole is still believed to be the drug of choice for the treatment of nonspecific vaginitis (NSV) with consistent cure rates of 80% to more than 90%. The data concerning carcinogenesis are not uniform. Studies in mice and rats fed the drug (as 0.05% to 0.06% of the bulk diet) have shown an increase in tumors, however, studies in hamsters have been negative.