Monistat (miconazole) is a medication that's used to treat vaginal yeast infections. It comes as creams, inserts, and suppositories that are placed into the vagina. Common side effects include mild vaginal burning, irritation, and itching. It's best not to have sex while using Monistat (miconazole) and to wait until your infection has gone away. There are several brand names of this medication (e.g., Monistat 1 Combination Pack, Monistat 3, Monistat 7), with the number representing how many days you have to take it. You can find Monistat (miconazole) over the counter, and it doesn't require a prescription from your provider.
Treatment of vaginal yeast infection
Relief of vaginal yeast infection symptoms (itching and irritation outside of the vagina)
Monistat (miconazole) is an antifungal medication. It kills the fungus causing the vaginal yeast infection by damaging its protective outer layer.
Source: DailyMed
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:
Blistering, burning, redness, skin rash, or other sign of skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Works as well as certain prescription options
Has mild side effects
Can use the 7-day version if you're pregnant
Available without a prescription
Can cause vaginal burning, itching, or irritation
Can stain clothes and bedsheets
Can't use tampons, douches, or spermicides while using Monistat (miconazole)
Interferes with Coumadin (warfarin) and raise the risk of bleeding or bruising
If this is your first vaginal yeast infection, talk to your healthcare provider before using Monistat (miconazole). The symptoms of a yeast infection (e.g., burning, itching, irritation) are similar to those of other vaginal or urinary tract infections. Monistat (miconazole) won't treat these other infections, so your provider can double check that you're getting the appropriate treatment for your symptoms.
Use Monistat (miconazole) at bedtime. For the 1-day version, you can use the medication at any time of day. Wear a pad or panty liner. This helps with possible leakage. The medication can also stain your clothes and bedsheets.
To insert Monistat (miconazole), lie flat on your back, bend your knees, and place the applicator into your vagina. Throw the applicator away after each dose. Don't reuse the applicators.
If there's a tube of miconazole cream provided in the packaging, you can apply a small amount of the cream to the outside of the vagina (vulva) and the area around the opening of the vagina. This cream will help with itching and irritation until Monistat (miconazole) starts to kick in.
Don't use tampons, douches, or spermicides while you're using Monistat (miconazole). They can affect how well the medication works. It's okay to use Monistat (miconazole) when you have your menstrual period, but just use pads or other sanitary napkins.
Monistat (miconazole) can damage condoms and diaphragms, so they won't work as well to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Don't have sex while using Monistat (miconazole). Sex can make your symptoms worse.
If you have frequent yeast infections (one infection a month or more), speak with your healthcare provider. While Monistat (miconazole) should still work for you, your provider can help figure out what's causing these frequent infections. There might be better treatment options for you.
Stop using Monistat (miconazole) and contact your healthcare provider if you don't feel any better in 3 days or if you're still having symptoms for longer than 7 days. You might need a different medication to treat your infection, or you might have a different type of infection other than a yeast infection.
If you experience lower stomach, back, or shoulder pain, fever, chills, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, let your healthcare provider know right away. These aren't typical symptoms for a yeast infection, and you might need medical attention.
Monistat (miconazole) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Monistat (miconazole) can cause condoms and diaphragms to weaken and break. This puts you at risk for an unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It's important to avoid having sex until your infection is cleared up. Sex can make your symptoms worse, and it's possible to give your infection to your partner.
If your vaginal yeast infection symptoms (itching, irritation, or thick discharge) haven't gotten any better after 3 days of using Monistat (miconazole), let your healthcare provider know. Also speak with your provider if your infection isn't completely cleared up after 7 days. Monistat (miconazole) shouldn't be used for more than 7 days in a row unless instructed by a provider. In both of these situations, you might need a different medication to treat your infection.
Monistat (miconazole) is available as vaginal creams, inserts, and suppositories. Read the package label carefully to see how many days you need to use the medication for (either 1, 3, or 7 days).
Vaginal cream only: Insert 1 applicatorful of medication into the vagina at bedtime.
For the 7-day treatment cream, use a new applicator each night for 7 nights in a row. You can also apply extra cream to the outside of the vagina 2 times a day for up to 7 days as needed for itching and irritation.
For the 3-day treatment cream, use a new applicator each night for 3 nights in a row.
Vaginal suppository only: For the 7-day treatment course, insert 1 suppository into the vagina at bedtime for 7 nights in a row.
Combination pack (vaginal suppository or insert and cream): Place 1 vaginal suppository or insert into the vagina at bedtime. These combination packs come with a small tube of miconazole 2% cream that you can apply to the outside of the vagina 2 times a day for up to 7 days as needed for itching and irritation.
For the 3-day pack, place a suppository or insert into the vagina for 3 nights in a row.
For the 1-day pack, use the vaginal insert for one time only at any time of day.
Using this medicine 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.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
First vaginal yeast infection and you haven't seen a provider about it yet
Treatment of vaginal yeast infection
Relief of vaginal yeast infection symptoms (itching and irritation outside of the vagina)
Treatment of infections caused by Candida:
Prevention of Candida fungal infections for people having a bone marrow transplant
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