Metronidazole vs Nitrofurantoin
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Nitrofurantoin was dispensed 3.6× as often as Metronidazole in March 2026 — 361,710 items versus 100,803 in England.
100,803items
Metronidazole · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
361,710items
Nitrofurantoin · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Metronidazole versus Nitrofurantoin: national items dispensed by month
▬ Metronidazole · ╌ Nitrofurantoin
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Metronidazole | Nitrofurantoin |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 100,803 | 361,710 |
| Items, last 12 months | 1,158,695 | 4,429,854 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £230,360 | £2,481,311 |
See the full profile for Metronidazole or Nitrofurantoin.