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Metronidazole Coupon - Metronidazole 70g of 0.75% gel package

metronidazole

Generic Metrogel-Vaginal
Used for Bacterial Vaginosis

Metronidazole vaginal gel is a prescription medication used to treat an infection of the vagina called bacterial vaginosis. It comes as prefilled vaginal applicators that are good for one-time use. Your dosing and length of treatment for metronidazole vaginal gel depend on your condition and what brand of metronidazole vaginal gel you're using. But typically, treatment lasts around 5 days.

Reviewed by:
reviewerKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewerAllison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on December 5, 2022
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What is Metronidazole vaginal gel?

What is Metronidazole vaginal gel used for?

  • Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

How Metronidazole vaginal gel works

Metronidazole vaginal gel is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. It works by damaging the DNA in bacteria and stopping the growth of bacteria in the vagina.

When does Metronidazole vaginal gel start working?Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
Full effect
WEEKS
MONTHS

Drug facts

Common BrandsVandazole, Nuvessa
Drug ClassNitroimidazole antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Metronidazole vaginal gel

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

Nuvessa:

  • Vaginal yeast infection (6%)

Vandazole:

  • Vaginal fungal and yeast infection (12%)
  • Headache (7%)
  • Itching (6%)
  • Stomach pain (5%)

Generic metronidazole vaginal gel:

  • Vaginal discharge (12%)
  • Vaginal yeast infection (10%)
  • Irritated vagina (9%)
  • Stomach upset (7%)
  • Headache (5%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Sore throat
  • Unusual taste
  • Rash
  • Breast pain
  • Vaginal itching
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
When do Metronidazole vaginal gel possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Headache
Nausea
Vaginal itching
Vaginal yeast infection

Source: DailyMed

The following Metronidazole vaginal gel 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Itching in the vagina

pain during sexual intercourse

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Less common

Burning on urination or need to urinate more often

burning or irritation of the penis of the sexual partner

feeling of vaginal pressure

itching, pain, stinging, or redness of the genital area

Some 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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Cramps

diarrhea

dizziness or lightheadedness

dryness of the mouth

feeling of a furry tongue

headache

heavy bleeding

loss of appetite

metallic taste or other change in taste sensation

mild skin dryness and burning

nausea

skin irritation

temporary skin redness

vomiting

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 Metronidazole vaginal gel

Pros

Cons

  • Should avoid alcohol
  • Not recommended for use while breastfeeding
  • Need to avoid sexual intercourse and use of vaginal products during treatment
  • Requires a prescription
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Pharmacist tips for Metronidazole vaginal gel

pharmacist
  • Before using metronidazole vaginal gel, read the instruction guide to better understand how to use it properly. Metronidazole vaginal gel should be inserted and applied vaginally while lying on your back with your knees bent or in any comfortable position.
  • If you're using metronidazole vaginal gel once a day, insert the dose at bedtime.
  • While using metronidazole vaginal gel, don't have sex or use tampons or other vaginal products until you've finished the treatment.
  • If you get metronidazole vaginal gel in your eyes, rinse your eyes with cool tap water and call your provider because it can cause burning.
  • Contact your provider if you experience vaginal irritation after using metronidazole vaginal gel. Your provider might need prescribe a different medication for you.
  • Metronidazole vaginal gel comes with one-time use, prefilled applicators, so throw away each applicator after using it.
  • Let your provider know all of the medications you're taking so they can check for interactions with metronidazole vaginal gel.
  • It isn't known if metronidazole vaginal gel is safe to use during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your provider before using metronidazole vaginal gel.
  • Metronidazole vaginal gel can pass into breast milk. If you're breastfeeding, discuss with your provider other ways to feed your baby during treatment with this medication. They might recommend that you pump and discard breastmilk while you're using metronidazole vaginal gel and for 2 days after your last dose.
  • Store the medication in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Don't freeze metronidazole vaginal gel because this could damage the medication.
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Common questions about Metronidazole vaginal gel

Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is an infection in the vagina. It happens when there's too much of certain bacteria in the vagina. While the cause of BV isn't fully clear, it's most common in sexually active females 15 to 44 years old. Many females don't have symptoms. But when they do, symptoms of BV include a white or gray vaginal discharge, a strong fish-like odor, or itching, burning, or pain in the vagina. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your provider so you can get the appropriate treatment.

Depending on the brand, vaginal discharge can be a possible side effect of metronidazole vaginal gel. It should go away soon after completing a full course of treatment. If it doesn't, let your provider know. They can make sure you don't have a vaginal yeast infection, which is another side effect of metronidazole vaginal gel.

Metronidazole vaginal gel is available as two brands (Nuvessa and Vandazole) and a generic. Vandazole and generic metronidazole vaginal gel are both the same strength (0.75%) and typically used every night at bedtime (or sometimes twice a day, if using the generic) for about 5 days. Nuvessa vaginal gel is available in a higher strength (1.3%) and only needs to be used once at bedtime as a one-time dose. All three products can be used to treat bacterial vaginosis. But Nuvessa is approved in females 12 years and older, while Vandazole can be used by all females who've already started their periods.

The manufacturers of metronidazole vaginal gel recommend not to have sex while you're using it. Additionally, don't use tampons, douches, or other vaginal products during your treatment.

Drinking alcohol or using topical products that contain alcohol while you're using metronidazole vaginal gel might result in throbbing in the head and neck, irregular heart beat, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. This reaction seems to be more of a concern with oral (by mouth) forms of metronidazole, but the manufacturers still recommend to avoid alcohol since the risk is still there. Ask your provider when it's safe to have a drink after your treatment with metronidazole vaginal gel, since this will depend on the brand you're using. But typically, your provider will recommend might need to wait 1 to 3 days after you finish treatment before having a drink.

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Risks and warnings for Metronidazole vaginal gel

Metronidazole vaginal gel 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.

Vaginal yeast infections

Using metronidazole vaginal gel can raise your risk for vaginal yeast infections. This is because the medication can also affect the good bacteria in your vagina that usually keep fungi from overgrowing. When fungi overgrow in your vagina, it can sometimes result in a yeast infection. There are many different over-the-counter and prescription treatments available for vaginal yeast infections. Let your provider know if you have redness, pain, or burning around your vagina, or if you have thick, white vaginal discharge. These could be signs of a vaginal yeast infection, and you might need treatment for it.

Nervous system problems

  • Risk factors: Use of oral and IV metronidazole | History of nervous system problems

Certain nervous system problems (e.g. seizures, numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, damage to the eye) have been reported in people who use oral or intravenous (IV) metronidazole. Let your provider know if you have a history of nervous system problems before using metronidazole vaginal gel.

Possible risk of cancer

Animal studies show that there's a link between oral metronidazole and cancer. There hasn't been any cancer studies with metronidazole vaginal gel, but keep in mind that it gets absorbed much less in your body compared to the oral version of this medication. Make sure you use metronidazole vaginal gel exactly as prescribed to you. If you have concerns about the possible risk of cancer, speak with your provider.

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Metronidazole vaginal gel dosage

The average cost for 1 package of 70g of 0.75% gel of Metronidazole vaginal gel is $22.53 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 83.93% off the average retail price of $140.20.
packagePackage
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
70g of 0.75% gel1 package$22.53$22.53

Typical dosage for Metronidazole vaginal gel

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Interactions between Metronidazole vaginal gel and other drugs

Metronidazole vaginal gel 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 Metronidazole vaginal gel. 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 not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

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.

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How much does Metronidazole vaginal gel cost?

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Metronidazole vaginal gel (generic)
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Metronidazole vaginal gel 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 Metronidazole vaginal gel will not be safe for you to take.

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What are alternatives to Metronidazole vaginal gel?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Metronidazole vaginal gel. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Metronidazole vaginal gel
Used for:
  • Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
$22.53Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Vaginal bacterial infections (bacterial vaginosis)
$6.94Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$8.32Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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Metronidazole vaginal gel images

This medicine is Colorless Package.
This medicine is Colorless Package.
yellow - Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel
This medicine is Yellow Package.yellow - Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel
yellow - Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel
This medicine is Yellow Package.yellow - Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel
This medicine is Colorless Package.
yellow - Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel
This medicine is Yellow Package.yellow - Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel
This medicine is Colorless Package.

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