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Antifungal, azole (vaginal route)

Available brands

3 Day Vaginal Cream, Femizol-M, Gynazole-1, Gyne-Lotrimin, Monistat 1, Mycelex-3, Mycelex-7, Terazol 3, Terazol 7, Tioconazole 1, Vagistat-1, Zazole, Canesten 2, Canesten 3, Canesten 6 Day, Canesten Combi-Pak 1 Day, Canesten Combi-Pak 3 Day, Canesten External Cream, Clotrimaderm, Gyne Cure, Gyno-Trosyd, Miconazole 3 Day Ovule Treatment, Miconazole Nitrate, Monistat 1 Combination Pack Vaginal Ovule

About this medication

Vaginal azoles are used to treat yeast (fungus) infections of the vagina. For first-time users, make sure your doctor has checked and confirmed that you have a vaginal yeast infection before you use the vaginal azole antifungal medicines that do not require a prescription. Vaginal yeast infections can reoccur over time and, when the same symptoms occur again, self-treating with these medicines is recommended. However, you should see your doctor if the symptoms occur again within 2 months. Vaginal antifungal azoles are available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Before using this medication

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Studies on these medicines have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of vaginal azoles in children with use in other age groups. It is recommended that these medicines not be used in children up to 12 years of age. Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of vaginal azoles in the elderly with use in other age groups, they are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults. Studies have not been done in humans for use of all azole antifungals during the first trimester of pregnancy. These medicines are safe and effective when used for at least 7 days during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. However, check with your doctor before using this medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy. Also, use of 1- and 3-day treatments may not be effective during pregnancy. It is not known whether vaginal azoles pass into the breast milk. However, these medicines have not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

How to use this medication

Vaginal azoles usually come with patient directions. Read them carefully before using this medicine. Use this medicine at bedtime, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The vaginal tampon form of miconazole should be left in the vagina overnight and removed the next morning. This medicine is usually inserted into the vagina with an applicator. However, if you are pregnant, check with your doctor before using the applicator. Some of the vaginal suppositories or tablets come packaged with a small tube of cream. This cream can be applied outside of the vagina in the genital area to treat itching. The packages are called combination, dual, or twin packs. To help clear up your infection completely,it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.Do not miss any doses. Also, do not stop using this medicine if your menstrual period starts during the time of treatment. The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Keep out of the reach of children. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Keep the vaginal cream, ointment, and suppository forms of this medicine from freezing.

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