Oral Child: PO 30–50 mg/kg/day q8h Amoebiasis Adult: 800 mg tid for 5 days (intestinal infection); 5-10 days (extra-intestinal infection). Max: 2.4 g/day. Trichomoniasis Adult: 2 g as a single dose, 200 mg tid for 7 days or 400 mg bid for 5-7 days. Sexual partners should also be treated. Repeat treatment 4-6 wk between courses as necessary. Giardiasis Adult: 2 g once daily for 3 days, 400 mg tid for 5 days or 500 mg bid for 7-10 days. Bacterial vaginosis Adult: 2 g as a single dose or 400 mg bid for 5-7 days. Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis Adult: 200 mg tid for 3 days. Anaerobic bacterial infections Adult: Initially, 800 mg followed by 400 mg 8 hrly. Alternatively, 7.5 mg/kg 6-8 hrly. Max: 4 g/day. Duration of treatment is usually for 7 days depending on the severity of infection. Prophylaxis of postoperative anaerobic bacterial infections Adult: 400 mg 8 hrly 24 hr prior to surgery followed by post-op IV or rectal admin until oral therapy is possible. Eradication of H. pylori associated with peptic ulcer disease Adult: 400 mg bid in combination w/ another antibacterial and a PPI or 400 mg tid, if given w/ omeprazole and amoxicillin. Initial treatment is given for 1 wk. Leg ulcers and pressure sores Adult: 400 mg tid for 7 days. Acute dental infections Adult: 200 mg tid for 3-7 days. Intravenous Children: IV 22.5–40 mg/kg/day q8h Anaerobic bacterial infections Adult: 500 mg infused as 100 mL of a 5 mg/mL soln at 5 mL/min 8 hrly. Alternatively, 15 mg/kg infused over 1 hr, followed by 7.5 mg/kg infused over 1 hr 6 hrly. Max: 4 g/day. Substitute oral therapy as soon as possible. Prophylaxis of postoperative anaerobic bacterial infections Adult: 500 mg shortly before operation and repeated 8 hrly. Alternatively, 15 mg/kg infused over 30-60 min and completed approx 1 hr before surgery, followed by 7.5 mg/kg infused over 30-60 min at 6 and 12 hr after the initial dose. Hepatic impairment: Severe: 1/3 of usual dose once daily.