miconazole
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.
What is Monistat (miconazole)?
What is Monistat (miconazole) used for?
- Treatment of vaginal yeast infection
- Relief of vaginal yeast infection symptoms (itching and irritation outside of the vagina)
How Monistat (miconazole) works
Monistat (miconazole) is an antifungal medication. It kills the fungus causing the vaginal yeast infection by damaging its protective outer layer.
Drug facts
Side effects of Monistat (miconazole)
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
The following Monistat (miconazole) 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 Monistat (miconazole)
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Pharmacist tips for Monistat (miconazole)
- 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.
Common questions about Monistat (miconazole)
Most people will start to feel relief within the first 24 hours after the first dose of Monistat (miconazole). Don't worry if it takes a little longer for you though. Symptom relief typically occurs within the first 3 days after starting Monistat (miconazole). And you'll most likely feel completely better within 7 days of treatment. If you don't feel any improvement within 3 days or you're still having symptoms for over a week, please contact your healthcare provider.
Monistat (miconazole) can cause mild vaginal burning, itching, or irritation when you use it. If you're not sure whether you have a yeast infection or something else, talk with your healthcare provider first before using this medication.
No. Monistat (miconazole) is an antifungal, meaning it treats infections caused by a fungus. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and require treatment with an antibiotic. Sometimes, the symptoms of a yeast infection and a UTI are similar. So if you're not sure which type of infection you have, give your healthcare provider a call to make sure you get the appropriate treatment.
Before having any kind of sex, make sure that you've finished your Monistat (miconazole) treatment course and that your yeast infection and symptoms are completely gone. It typically takes about 7 days after you start using Monistat (miconazole) for your infection to be fully treated. But, keep in mind that the time infections take to go away can vary. Having sex while you have a vaginal yeast infection and while you're using Monistat (miconazole) can worsen your symptoms.
If you're pregnant, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you can use the particular Monistat (miconazole) product you have. The CDC guidelines recommend using only the 7-day treatment courses of Monistat (miconazole) to help with vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy.
Tampons can absorb some of the Monistat (miconazole) in the vagina. They also might make your symptoms worse when they're inserted into the vagina. While it's okay to use Monistat (miconazole) during your menstrual period, it's best to stick to pads and panty liners until your yeast infection is better.
Both fluconazole (Diflucan) and Monistat (miconazole) work equally well to treat vaginal yeast infections. The choice for most people comes down to personal preference and convenience. While fluconazole (Diflucan) is a pill that's taken only once, it does require a prescription and tends to cause side effects like nausea and stomach pain. Monistat (miconazole) is available over the counter and can cause or worsen vaginal burning, itching, and irritation. Learn more about the similarities and differences between fluconazole (Diflucan) and Monistat (miconazole). Speak with your provider about which medication is right for you.
Each Monistat (miconazole) product works equally well and takes 7 days to fully treat your yeast infection. They differ in the number of days you need to use the medication and the strength of the medication. Monistat 1 Combination Pack is a 1-day course that provides the highest dose of miconazole. Monistat 3 is a 3-day course that provides a moderate dose of miconazole. And Monistat 7 is a 7-day course with the lowest dose of miconazole. No matter which version you choose, if your symptoms don't start to improve after 3 days or if you still have symptoms after 7 days, talk with your healthcare provider.
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Risks and warnings for Monistat (miconazole)
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.
Damage to condoms and diaphragms
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.
Treatment failure
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) dosage
Typical dosage for Monistat (miconazole)
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).
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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.
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Vaginal suppository only: For the 7-day treatment course, insert 1 suppository into the vagina at bedtime for 7 nights in a row.
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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.
Interactions between Monistat (miconazole) and other drugs
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 Monistat (miconazole) cost?
$4.67
Monistat (miconazole) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Monistat (miconazole) will not be safe for you to take.
- First vaginal yeast infection and you haven't seen a provider about it yet
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