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miconazole
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm, Yeast Infection
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm, Yeast Infection
Miconazole (Monistat) is used to treat a vaginal yeast infection in adults and children 12 years and older. It's available over the counter as vaginal creams, inserts/suppositories, or combination kits. The entire treatment lasts 1, 3, or 7 days, depending on the product. Common side effects include mild vaginal burning, irritation, and itching.
What is Miconazole (Monistat)?
What is Miconazole (Monistat) used for?
- Vaginal yeast infections
- Itching and irritation caused by a vaginal yeast infection
How Miconazole (Monistat) works
Miconazole (Monistat) is an antifungal medication. It kills the fungus by damaging its protective outer layer.
When does Miconazole (Monistat) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Monistat 1 Combination Pack, Monistat 3, Monistat 7 |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antifungal |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Over-the-counter |
More on Miconazole (Monistat) essentials
Side effects of Miconazole (Monistat)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Vaginal burning
- Vaginal irritation
- Vaginal itching
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Headache
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The following Miconazole (Monistat) side effects have also been reported
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.
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Pros and cons of Miconazole (Monistat)
Pros
- Available over the counter
- Many treatment options (1, 3, or 7 days)
- Targets infection directly at the site
Cons
- Can cause vaginal burning, itching, or irritation
- Might be messy or cause leakage
- Requires vaginal insertion
Pharmacist tips for Miconazole (Monistat)
- Use miconazole (Monistat) at bedtime to help keep the medication in place and reduce leakage. The 1-day version can be used at any time.
- Miconazole (Monistat) might leak, so wearing a pad or pantyliner can help keep you comfortable.
- If your miconazole (Monistat) pack includes a cream, you can apply a small amount to the outside of your vagina. This can help with itching and irritation.
- Use miconazole (Monistat) for the full treatment course, even if symptoms improve early. This helps prevent the infection from coming back and becoming harder to treat.
- Don't use tampons, douches, or spermicides while using miconazole (Monistat). They can make it work less well.
- Miconazole (Monistat) can damage condoms and diaphragms, so they won't work as well to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Avoid sex while using miconazole (Monistat) since it can make your symptoms worse.
- If you use a blood thinner called warfarin, ask a healthcare professional if it's safe to use miconazole (Monistat). That's because this combination can raise your risk of bleeding or bruising.
- Talk to your OB/GYN if you get yeast infections often (like once a month). Miconazole (Monistat) could still work, but you might need a different plan.
- Stop using miconazole (Monistat) and contact your OB/GYN provider if you don’t feel better after 3 days or still have symptoms after 7 days.
- Tell your OB/GYN provider right away if you have pain, fever, chills, or bad-smelling discharge. These might not be signs of a yeast infection.
How to use miconazole (Monistat):
- Some products come with applicators, but you might need to fill them with cream or an insert/suppository before use. Read the instructions to see how to prepare it.
- Place the applicator into your vagina as far as it'll comfortably go.
- Press the plunger to release the insert/suppository or cream into the vagina, and then remove the applicator.
- Check if the applicator is reusable or disposable. Wash reusable ones well after each use.
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Risks and warnings for Miconazole (Monistat)
Miconazole (Monistat) 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.
Damage to condoms and diaphragms
Miconazole (Monistat) can weaken condoms and diaphragms, making them more likely to break. This can raise your risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It's important to avoid having sex until your infection is fully cleared. Sex can worsen your symptoms, and it's possible to pass the infection to your partner.
Symptoms don't go away
If your symptoms (like itching, irritation, or thick discharge) don’t improve after 3 days of using miconazole (Monistat), tell a healthcare professional. Also contact your care team if your infection isn’t gone after 7 days. You might need a different treatment. Don’t use Miconazole (Monistat) for more than 7 days in a row unless your prescriber tells you to.
Miconazole (Monistat) dosage
The average cost for 30 tubes of 2% of Miconazole (Monistat) is $11.95 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Typical dosage for Miconazole (Monistat)
Miconazole (Monistat) comes as vaginal creams, inserts/suppositories, or combination kits. Check the package to see how many days to use it (1, 3, or 7 days).
-
Vaginal cream only: Insert 1 applicatorful into the vagina at bedtime.
- 7-day treatment: 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.
- 3-day treatment: Use a new applicator each night for 3 nights in a row.
-
Vaginal insert/suppository only:
- 7-day treatment: Insert 1 suppository into the vagina at bedtime for 7 nights in a row.
-
Combination kit (insert/suppository and cream): Place 1 insert/suppository into the vagina at bedtime. You can also use the cream on the outside of the vagina up to 2 times a day for up to 7 days as needed for itching and irritation.
- 3-day pack: Place an insert/suppository into the vagina for 3 nights in a row.
- 1-day pack: Place an insert/suppository one time at any time of day.
Interactions between Miconazole (Monistat) and other drugs
Miconazole (Monistat) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Miconazole (Monistat). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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 this medicine, 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 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.
- Ethinyl Estradiol
How much does Miconazole (Monistat) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Miconazole (Monistat) (generic)
$8.75
What are alternatives to Miconazole (Monistat)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Miconazole (Monistat). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Miconazole (Monistat) images
