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Metronidazole counselling — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardInfectionsMetronidazole counsellingGPhC CRA

A patient taking oral metronidazole 400 mg for a dental infection asks when they may drink alcohol after the final tablet. What is the product-specific advice?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Avoid alcohol throughout treatment and for at least 48 hours after the final dose

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as C · A = shown as D · C = shown as E

A is wrong because completion of absorption does not remove the documented alcohol interaction. B is wrong because avoidance is preventive, not symptom-triggered. C is correct for this oral product: no alcohol during therapy or for at least 48 hours after the last dose because a disulfiram-like reaction may cause flushing, vomiting, tachycardia and headache. D imposes an unsupported universal seven-day interval. E is wrong because neither a small amount nor food creates an exception.

Reference: Metronidazole 400 mg tablets SmPC. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12817/smpc