
metronidazole
Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) is a prescription antibiotic used to treat a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women who have started their menstrual periods. It's applied inside the vagina using a disposable applicator, usually once or twice a day for 5 days. Common side effects include vaginal yeast infection, headache, and itching.
What is Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole)?
What is Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) used for?
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
How Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) works
Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. It works by damaging the DNA of certain bacteria and stopping them from growing in the vagina.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vandazole |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Nitroimidazole antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole)
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
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%)
- Vaginal irritation (9%)
- Stomach discomfort (7%)
- Headache (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
Vandazole:
- Nausea
- Period cramps
- Sore throat
- Rash
- Infection
- Diarrhea
- Breast pain
- Spotting between periods
Generic metronidazole vaginal gel:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unusual taste
- Dizziness
- Cramping
- Reduced appetite
The following Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) 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:
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
dizziness or lightheadedness
dryness of the mouth
feeling of a furry tongue
headache
loss of appetite
metallic taste or other change in taste sensation
mild skin dryness and burning
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 (Vandazole)
Pros
- Considered a first-choice treatment option for bacterial vaginosis
- Targets bacteria directly in the vagina
- Usually only taken for 5 days
Cons
- Should avoid alcohol during treatment at for at least 3 days after
- Not recommended for use while breastfeeding
- Can cause vaginal irritation
Pharmacist tips for Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole)
- Before using metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole), read the Instructions for Use. This will help you understand how to use the medication correctly.
- If you're using metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) once a day, insert the dose at bedtime. If you’re using it twice a day, use one applicator in the morning and one in the evening.
- While using metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole), avoid having sex or using tampons or other vaginal products until you finish treatment. These can affect how well the medication works.
- If you get metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) in your eyes, rinse them with cool tap water right away. Contact your prescriber if irritation continues.
- Contact your prescriber if you notice vaginal irritation while using metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole). They might need to recommend a different treatment for you.
- Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) comes with one-time use applicators, so throw away each applicator after using it.
- Let your prescriber know all of the medications you're taking so they can check for interactions with metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole).
- Don't drink alcohol while using metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) and for at least 3 days after your last dose. Alcohol can make you feel very sick while this medication is in your body.
- [Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) can sometimes cause a vaginal yeast infection. Contact your prescriber if you notice symptoms like itching, burning, or thick discharge.
- Pregnancy: It isn't known if metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) is safe to use during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your prescriber before using it.
- Breastfeeding: Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) can pass into breast milk. If you're breastfeeding, talk with your prescriber about feeding options during treatment. They might recommend pumping and throwing away breast milk while using the medication and for 2 days after your last dose.
- Store metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) at room temperature. Don't freeze the medication because this could damage it.
How to use metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole)
- To prepare a dose, remove the cap and use the pointed tip to puncture the seal. Screw the applicator onto the tube and gently squeeze the tube until the plunger stops.
- Unscrew the applicator from the tube and replace the cap. Keep the tube closed until your next dose.
- Insert the applicator into your vagina in a comfortable position, such as lying on your back with your knees bent.
- Gently insert the applicator as far as it will comfortably go, then slowly press the plunger to release the gel.
- Remove the empty applicator and throw it away. Don't reuse it.
Risks and warnings for Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole)
Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) 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.
Nervous system problems
- Risk factors: Use of oral and IV metronidazole | History of nervous system problems
Certain nervous system problems have been reported in people who use oral or intravenous (IV) metronidazole. These problems can include seizures, brain conditions, meningitis, and nerve damage.
Tell your prescriber if you have a history of nervous system problems before using metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole). Stop using it and contact your prescriber right away if you notice unusual nervous system symptoms like numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
Possible risk of cancer
Animal studies have found a link between oral metronidazole and cancer. There haven’t been cancer studies with metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole), but this form of the medication is absorbed into your body much less than the oral version. Use metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) exactly as prescribed. If you’re concerned about the possible cancer risk, talk with your prescriber.
Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) dosage
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70g of 0.75% gel | 1 package | $25.07 | $25.07 |
Typical dosage for Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole)
- Vandazole (metronidazole 0.75%) vaginal gel: The typical dose is to insert 1 applicatorful into the vagina daily at bedtime for 5 days.
- Generic metronidazole 0.75% vaginal gel: The typical dose is to insert 1 applicatorful into the vagina once or twice daily for 5 days.
Interactions between Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) 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 not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amprenavir
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Disulfiram
- Dronabinol
- Dronedarone
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
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.
- Alfuzosin
- Amiodarone
- Amitriptyline
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Atazanavir
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buserelin
- Busulfan
- Capecitabine
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabrafenib
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Doxifluridine
- Droperidol
- Ebastine
- Efavirenz
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Eribulin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Famotidine
- Felbamate
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fluorouracil
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fosphenytoin
- Galantamine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Itraconazole
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lofexidine
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mebendazole
- Mefloquine
- Methadone
- Mifepristone
- Mizolastine
- Moxifloxacin
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Nafarelin
- Nelfinavir
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olanzapine
- Ondansetron
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Papaverine Hydrochloride
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentamidine
- Perphenazine
- Pimavanserin
- Pipamperone
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Ribociclib
- Risperidone
- Ritonavir
- Selpercatinib
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tamoxifen
- Tegafur
- Telaprevir
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tolterodine
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Vorinostat
- Warfarin
- Zuclopenthixol
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.
- Carbamazepine
- Cholestyramine
- Cyclosporine
- Lithium
- Milk Thistle
How much does Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) cost?
$25.07
Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole) 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 (Vandazole) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to parabens
- Have taken disulfiram (Antabuse) in the past 2 weeks
- Alcohol use
What are alternatives to Metronidazole vaginal gel (Vandazole)?
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