Metrogyl syrup dose for a 5-year-old
Metrogyl is a brand of metronidazole. The calculator below is pre-filled for a 5-year-old using a reference weight — replace it with the child's measured weight and check whether your bottle states metronidazole base or benzoate.
Pediatric dosing
Amoebic dysentery / amoebic liver abscess
Giardiasis
Anaerobic infection (oral)
Anaerobic / intra-abdominal infection — IV (hospital) Hospital
Metronidazole dose chart by age and weight
Amoebic dysentery / amoebic liver abscess. Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.
| Age | Weight | Dose (mg) | Suspension 100 mg/5 mL | Suspension 125 mg/5 mL (as benzoate 200 mg/5 mL) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 4.3 kg | 43 mg | 2.2 mL | 1.7 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 3 months | 6.1 kg | 61 mg | 3.1 mL | 2.4 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 6 months | 7.6 kg | 76 mg | 3.8 mL | 3 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 9 months | 8.6 kg | 86 mg | 4.3 mL | 3.4 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 1 year | 9.3 kg | 93 mg | 4.7 mL | 3.7 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 18 months | 10.6 kg | 106 mg | 5.3 mL | 4.2 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 2 years | 11.8 kg | 118 mg | 5.9 mL | 4.7 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 3 years | 14.1 kg | 141 mg | 7.1 mL | 5.6 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 4 years | 16.2 kg | 162 mg | 8.1 mL | 6.5 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 5 years | 17.5 kg | 175 mg | 8.8 mL | 7 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 6 years | 19 kg | 190 mg | 9.5 mL | 7.6 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 8 years | 24.4 kg | 244 mg | 12 mL | 9.8 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 10 years | 31.1 kg | 311 mg | 15.5 mL | 12.5 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
| 12 years | 39.4 kg | 394 mg | 19.5 mL | 16 mL | Every 8 hours with food |
Strengths in the calculator
- Suspension 100 mg/5 mL (Oral)
- Suspension 125 mg/5 mL (as benzoate 200 mg/5 mL) (Oral) — Metronidazole benzoate 200 mg ≈ metronidazole 125 mg — check whether the label states the base or the benzoate.
- Suspension 200 mg/5 mL (Oral)
- Tablet 200 mg (Oral)
- Tablet 400 mg (Oral)
- IV infusion 5 mg/mL (500 mg/100 mL) (Intravenous)
Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.
Safety
Contraindications and cautions
- Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours after (disulfiram-like reaction).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Legacy FDA category B. Avoid high-dose regimens in the first trimester if non-urgent; commonly used later in pregnancy when indicated.
Present in breast milk; avoid single 2 g doses or interrupt feeding for 12–24 hours after them.
Clinical notes
Metallic taste and nausea are common; give with food. Check the suspension label: benzoate strengths differ from base strengths.
Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose
400–800 mg — Every 8 hours with food (max 800 mg per dose, 2400 mg per day).
Other names and brands
Also known as Metro.
- India: Metrogyl, Flagyl
- USA: Flagyl
Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.
Frequently asked questions
What is the metronidazole dose for children?
Amoebic dysentery / amoebic liver abscess: 10–15 mg/kg/dose · every 8 hours with food · max 800 mg/dose. Usual duration: 5–10 days, followed by a luminal agent. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.
How many mL of suspension 100 mg/5 mL for an 11.8 kg child?
For amoebic dysentery / amoebic liver abscess, an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 118 mg per dose — 5.9 mL of Suspension 100 mg/5 mL, every 8 hours with food. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.
From what age can metronidazole be given?
Age range in PediaRx: 1 month – adult. The calculator does not calculate a dose below 1 month. Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.
Is metronidazole safe in pregnancy?
Legacy FDA category B. Avoid high-dose regimens in the first trimester if non-urgent; commonly used later in pregnancy when indicated.
Sources and editorial process
- BNF for Children — Metronidazole — NICE / BMJ Group / Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children, 2nd edition (2013) — World Health Organization
Dosing data last updated 2026-09-27. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.
Related calculators
Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.
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