Metronidazole vs Nitrofurantoin
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Nitrofurantoin was dispensed 3.6× as often as Metronidazole in May 2026 — 333,741 items versus 92,284 in England.
92,284items
Metronidazole · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
333,741items
Nitrofurantoin · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Metronidazole versus Nitrofurantoin: national items dispensed by month
▬ Metronidazole · ╌ Nitrofurantoin
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Metronidazole | Nitrofurantoin |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 92,284 | 333,741 |
| Items, last 12 months | 1,159,306 | 4,416,505 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £214,050 | £2,268,636 |
See the full profile for Metronidazole or Nitrofurantoin.