Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

Other drug names:  A-Am  An-Az  B  C-Ch  Ci-Cz  D-Dh  Di-Dz  E  F  G  H  I-J  K-L  M-Mh  Mi-Mz  N-Nh  Ni-Nz  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q-R  S-Sn  So-Sz  T-To  Tp-Tz  U-V  W-Z  0-9

Antifungals, Azole  (Vaginal)

Printer-friendly versionE-mail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • FemCare2
  • Femizol-M4
  • Femstat 31
  • Gyne-Lotrimin2
  • Gyne-Lotrimin Combination Pack2
  • Gyne-Lotrimin32
  • Gyne-Lotrimin3 Combination Pack2
  • Miconazole-74
  • Monistat 16
  • Monistat 34
  • Monistat 3 Combination Pack4
  • Monistat 5 Tampon4
  • Monistat 74
  • Monistat 7 Combination Pack4
  • Mycelex-72
  • Mycelex-G2
  • Mycelex Twin Pack2
  • Terazol 35
  • Terazol 75
  • Vagistat-16

In Canada—

  • Canesten Combi-Pak 1-Day Therapy2
  • Canesten Combi-Pak 3-Day Therapy2
  • Canesten 1-Day Cream Combi-Pak2
  • Canesten 1-Day Therapy2
  • Canesten 3-Day Therapy2
  • Canesten 6-Day Therapy2
  • Clotrimaderm2
  • Ecostatin Vaginal Ovules3
  • GyneCure6
  • GyneCure Ovules6
  • GyneCure Vaginal Ointment Tandempak6
  • GyneCure Vaginal Ovules Tandempak6
  • Micozole4
  • Monazole 74
  • Monistat 3 Dual-Pak4
  • Monistat 3 Vaginal Ovules4
  • Monistat 74
  • Monistat 7 Dual-Pak4
  • Monistat 7 Vaginal Suppositories4
  • Myclo-Gyne2
  • Novo-Miconazole Vaginal Ovules4
  • Terazol 35
  • Terazol 3 Dual Pak5
  • Terazol 3 Vaginal Ovules5
  • Terazol 75

Note:

For quick reference, the following azole antifungals are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines
1.  Butoconazole (byoo-toe-KON-a-zole)
2.  Clotrimazole (kloe-TRIM-a-zole)
3.  Econazole (e-KON-a-zole)*
4.  Miconazole (mi-KON-a-zole)
5.  Terconazole (ter-KON-a-zole)
6.  Tioconazole (tye-oh-KON-a-zole)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

Vaginal azoles (A-zoles) 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.

Some vaginal azoles are available only with your doctor's prescription. Most are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine.

Vaginal azoles are available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For vaginal azoles, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the azoles. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—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.

Breast-feeding—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.

Children—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.

Older adults—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.

Other medicines—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. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other vaginal prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. When you are taking miconazole, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:



Proper Use of This Medicine

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 .

Dosing—

The dose of these medicines 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.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, insert 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.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your symptoms do not improve within 3 days or have not disappeared in 7 days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor. The 1- or 3-day treatments may take up to 7 days to completely clear up your infection. However, not all vaginal infections are caused by yeast. If symptoms occur again within 2 months, check with your doctor.

Vaginal medicines usually will come out of the vagina during treatment. To keep the medicine from getting on your clothing, wear a minipad or sanitary napkin. The use of nonmedicated tampons (like those used for menstrual periods) is not recommended since they may soak up the medicine.

To help clear up your infection completely and to help make sure it does not return, good health habits are also required.

If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Vaginal yeast infections are not usually spread by having sex and your sex partner does not need to be treated. However, if the sex partner has symptoms of local itching or skin irritation of the penis, he may benefit by being treated also.

If you use latex or rubber birth control devices (condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps), you should wait 3 days after treatment with azole antifungal agents before using them again. Many brands of vaginal azoles contain oils in the product that can weaken these devices. This increases the chances of a condom breaking during sexual intercourse. The rubber in cervical caps or diaphragms may break down faster and wear out sooner. Check with your health care professional to make sure the vaginal azole product you are using can be used with latex rubber birth control devices.

Check with your doctor before douching to obtain advice about whether you may douche and, if allowed, the proper method.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Revised: 03/16/2001

Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer

Copyright© 2003 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.