Metronidazole for thrush in women: how to take it, is treatment effective?

"Metronidazole" for thrush: instructions, effectiveness

Women often have to deal with various infections. Every third representative of the fairer sex regularly and unsuccessfully fights thrush. Curing this disease can sometimes be quite difficult. Doctors often prescribe Metronidazole for this. This drug really helps with thrush. But not everyone. Some patients speak extremely negatively about this medicine. Today’s article will tell you about the effectiveness of the drug “Metronidazole” for thrush. You can also read the information from the instructions.

What it is?

The drug "Metronidazole" is available in the form of tablets, suppositories, gel and solutions for internal administration. The main component is the substance of the same name - metronidazole. Its content in preparations varies. For example, tablets may be available in doses of 250 or 500 mg. Therefore, you should pay special attention to this before starting treatment.

The drug is an antimicrobial and antiprotozoal agent, a nitromidazole derivative. The active substance is able to penetrate into the deep layers of mucous membranes and tissues. After use, the medication is partially eliminated after 6-8 hours.

Treatment of thrush with Metronidazole: prescription of the drug

The drug is often prescribed by gynecologists to eliminate pathogenic microflora in the vagina. The instructions indicate the following conditions as indications for use:

• discharge from the genital tract with an unpleasant odor;
• itching and burning in the vagina;
• curdled clots;
• vaginitis and urethritis;
• inflammatory processes in the pelvis in women.

In addition, the product is used to treat intestinal infections, meningitis, sepsis, alcoholism, ulcers and so on. Before you start using Metronidazole for thrush, you need to get tested. Only in this case will the prescription of the medication be correct and justified. Bacteriological culture and determination of the sensitivity of microorganisms will make it possible to find out whether the drug Metronidazole will be effective in this particular case.

Use of suppositories and gel

How to use Metronidazole for thrush? Instructions for use involve the introduction of vaginal gel and suppositories. It is in this form that gynecologists most often prescribe drugs. Remember that before use you must perform hygiene procedures and wash your hands. The dosage of drugs is determined in accordance with their release form.

• Suppositories contain 0.125; 0.25 and 0.5 grams of metronidazole per suppository. A woman is recommended to take 1 gram of the drug per day, divided into 2 applications (morning and evening). Therefore, the number of suppositories administered per day can range from 2 to 8 pieces. The duration of treatment is determined individually, but usually does not exceed 10 days.
• The vaginal gel is inserted using an applicator. It is recommended to use 5 grams in the morning and evening. The duration of therapy is 5 days.

The use of Metronidazole for thrush using the described methods involves the use of disposable sanitary pads. Candles are greasy and can stain laundry. Vaginal gel usually does not leave a residue, but it also tends to leak. Experts recommend staying in a horizontal position for some time after administering medications. This way the drug will be distributed as correctly and evenly as possible.

"Metronidazole" - tablets for thrush

Less commonly, gynecologists prescribe the drug for oral use. Treatment of thrush in this way, according to experts, is less effective. The fact is that vaginal products act directly on the affected area.

The method of using the drug to eliminate candidiasis will be as follows: 500 mg of metronidazole per day is indicated. The appointment can be one-time or divided into two stages. Much depends on individual characteristics. Duration of therapy is 10 days. Metronidazole tablets are often combined with the use of vaginal suppositories.

Contraindications

When prescribing Metronidazole for the treatment of thrush, the doctor compares the potential harm of the drug with the expected beneficial effect. Among the contraindications:

• Pregnancy;
• Lactation;
• Allergy to the active substance or auxiliary components of the drug;
• Hematopoietic disorders, in particular leukopenia, including a history;
• Liver dysfunction;
• Epilepsy.

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During treatment, it is important to strictly follow the dosage, frequency and method of application recommended by the doctor. During pregnancy, treatment of candidiasis is carried out only locally; Metronidazole is prescribed extremely rarely.

Adverse reactions

What important information can the instructions for use tell the consumer about the drug Metronidazole? Tablets for thrush do not always have a positive effect. There are cases where the drug not only did not relieve the patient of the problem, but also caused negative reactions. The abstract suggests the possibility of developing the following side effects:

• allergies in the form of skin itching, rash and swelling;
• indigestion (if consumed orally), manifested by diarrhea and nausea;
• disturbance of the vaginal microflora, burning and itching (with vaginal use).

The instructions for use also state that the medicine can cause candidiasis. As a result, the woman not only does not see a positive result, but also notes a deterioration in her condition.

Consumer Reviews

The opinions of patients regarding the use of the drug Metronidazole for thrush are very different. Some women are satisfied with the mentioned remedy. They say that the medicine helped, and relief came already on the second day. An important point is that this remedy can also be used during pregnancy. Vaginal suppositories with metronidazole are prescribed to expectant mothers after 20 weeks.

But there are also many negative reviews about the drug. Thus, representatives of the fairer sex say that the medicine did not help them get rid of thrush. The treatment was ineffective and the money was wasted.

How to use external dosage forms?

Metronidazole suppositories for thrush (recurrent, chronic) against the background of bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis are used strictly as prescribed by the doctor. The duration of the course of treatment is 10 days, if necessary it can be extended. The patient must strictly follow the doctor's recommendations. It is impossible to interrupt the course ahead of time - this leads to the release of insensitive strains of bacteria and a decrease in the effectiveness of the drug.

Before administering the suppository, you must thoroughly wash your hands and genitals and dry your skin. The suppository is inserted while lying on your side or back, as deep as possible into the vagina. After the procedure, you need to lie down for a while until it dissolves and 15-30 minutes after that. The number of suppositories taken per day is one or two, depending on the severity of the disease. If the suppository is administered once a day, it is best to do it before bedtime.

Real effectiveness of the drug

How is it really going? Why do doctors prescribe the drug Metronidazole for thrush if it has many negative reviews? Let's try to figure this out.

As the doctors themselves say, the drug Metronidazole for thrush will be effective if the disease is bacterial in nature. As you know, candida is a fungal infection. Antibiotics, even the strongest ones, are not able to eliminate such pathology. However, if left untreated for a long time, a bacterial infection joins the fungus. You can’t cope with this without the appropriate medication. At the same time, Metronidazole is recognized as one of the effective medicines.

To know for sure that this medication will help you, you need to take tests for the sensitivity of microorganisms. Unfortunately, not all gynecologists prescribe such a preliminary examination. In this regard, negative reviews about the use of the composition appear. If the fungal infection does not have a bacterial complication, then other medications should be prescribed together with Metronidazole.

Dosage and dosage forms of the drug

Despite the fact that this medication has weak antimicrobial properties, it is used both to treat bacterial pathologies and to eliminate fungal infections. For candidiasis, Metronidazole is used to treat diseases of any localization - with damage to the reproductive organs of women and men, with stomatitis, skin and intestinal types of illness. To make the use of the medicine more convenient, pharmacological enterprises produce many of its forms intended for oral administration or application to mucous membranes and skin.

Description of Metronidazole

As the instructions for use indicate, Metronidazole is an antibacterial drug with a broad therapeutic effect. The general mechanism of its action is directed against dangerous microorganisms. The drug disrupts their DNA structure, making it possible to treat many diseases with this drug.

Metronidazole has two release forms that can be used to treat thrush in women and other diseases:

You can take pills when diagnosing the following diseases:

• Vaginitis
• Thrush
• Giardiasis
• Gastritis (chronic form)
• Urethritis
• Dysentery
• Peritonitis
• Chronic alcoholism
• Stomach ulcer.

The following diseases and conditions can be treated with gel:

• Pink eel
• Against skin infections
• Against Burns
• Pelvic abscess
• Trophic ulcer resulting from the development of diabetes mellitus
• Phlebeurysm.

After treatment with Metronidazole (tablets), a person may develop the following side effects:

• Nausea
• Vomit
• Malaise
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Candidiasis
• Headache
• Sleep disturbance
• Metal taste in mouth
• Pancreatitis
• Convulsions
• Depression
• Ataxia.

After treatment with Metronidazole gel, a person may experience a skin rash, burning and pain.

Contraindications and features of administration

Metronidazole is not recommended for the following indications:

• Individual intolerance to the components of the drug
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding period
• Disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system.

Also, Metronidazole should not be taken during menstruation.

Indications for use of the drug

To treat candidiasis, it is recommended to take antifungal medications, the action of which is aimed at eliminating candida from the patient’s body. It is not recommended to take Metronidazole for thrush in women if the patient is hypersensitive to the components of this drug. According to the instructions, the medication is prescribed for the treatment of the following diseases:

• chronic form of gastritis (in case of exacerbation of the disease);
• abscess pneumonia;
• hemorrhoids and fissures in the anus;
• alcohol dependence (chronic stage);
• acne, seborrheic dermatitis, infectious and inflammatory skin diseases;
• abscess in the pelvic cavity and brain;
• bedsores, burns, poorly healing wound surfaces;
• vaginitis and urethritis caused by the activity of Trichomonas and any other bacterial infection;
• ulcer of the duodenum, stomach;
• giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, infection with anaerobic bacteria;
• trophic ulcers in the lower extremities (as a result of varicose veins and diabetes mellitus).

Metronidazole and thrush

Thrush is a disease of the reproductive system that is most often diagnosed in women.

The causes of thrush are usually:

• Hormonal disorders in women
• Pregnancy
• Taking contraceptives
• Various thyroid pathologies
• Diabetes
• Decreased immunity.

Thrush can be identified by the following characteristic symptoms:

• White thick vaginal discharge
• Unpleasant odor in discharge
• Burning and discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Pain when urinating
• Itching in the genitals.

Features of treatment

Metronidazole can be taken for thrush, but it only helps in combination with other drugs. Self-treatment of this disease with Metronidazole will be ineffective.

To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, you need to take this drug in tablet form. The dosage depends on the complexity and severity of the disease, so it is selected for each patient individually. To enhance the effect on thrush, many doctors recommend additionally using vaginal suppositories.

If this disease is treated correctly, it will not reoccur for quite a long time. At the same time, a woman should take care of herself as much as possible and carefully observe genital hygiene.

When women are diagnosed with mild thrush, taking Metronidazole tablets alone will be pointless, since they will not be able to completely suppress the activity of the fungus in the body, which will provoke a resumption of the disease (relapse).

In order to eliminate a mild form of thrush once and for all, it must be treated comprehensively and always during acute inflammation (during the period when the disease manifests itself to its maximum).

The traditional course of treatment for thrush involves taking antibiotics and various antifungal medications. If the temperature rises (can develop when a woman has additional inflammation of her genitals), a specialist may prescribe antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treatment of candidiasis in women

Due to the prevalence of the disease, thrush is often not taken seriously. The ubiquitous advertising, which claims that one tablet is enough to eliminate the disease, also adds fuel to the fire. In fact, treatment requires an integrated approach. In addition to the use of medications, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the rules of hygiene and not only intimate hygiene. The set of measures includes:

• Disinfection of underwear and bed linen;
• Replacing synthetic tight underwear with products made from natural fibers;
• Avoid scented intimate hygiene products;
• Stop using oral contraceptives;
• Follow the diet recommended by your doctor;
• During the treatment period, if possible, maintain sexual rest or use condoms.

Until recently, it was believed that when thrush was detected, both sexual partners should be treated. Today, this is gradually being abandoned.

The choice of treatment tactics and the prescription of a specific drug depend on the clinical manifestations and severity of the lesion. The main goals of therapy are to eliminate the inflammatory process, restore the balance of microflora and prevent relapses. Treatment of candidiasis can be local or systemic, taking into account the general condition of the patient and concomitant pathologies. In addition to antifungal drugs, the patient may be prescribed medications to strengthen the immune system. If candidiasis is diagnosed against the background of diabetes mellitus or other endocrine diseases, treatment lasts about six months.

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For acute candidiasis, the course of treatment lasts 5-7 days. For chronic candidiasis, the course of treatment is longer, taking several months. There is an opinion that complete recovery in such cases is unattainable; we can only talk about achieving a stable remission.

What can Metronidazole be combined with?

For chronic thrush, drugs such as Metrogyl and Trichopolum help well. They can be combined with Meronidazaol, since when treated together they enhance each other’s effect.

Metrogyl can be used against advanced forms of candidiasis, but it will not cure acute thrush. Experts also recommend treating fungal and infectious diseases of the reproductive system in women of mixed type.

Metrogyl should not be used during menstruation, especially in the form of vaginal suppositories.

As for Trichopolum, it can treat thrush, lambiasis and infections that were introduced after operations. These tablets effectively eliminate thrush in women, especially when they are combined with Metronidazole.

You should also remember that the “fight” against thrush must be long (at least two to three weeks), otherwise the course of treatment will be incomplete and after a few months the disease will make itself felt again.

Before you start treating thrush, it is recommended to undergo an examination and consult a gynecologist.

Is Metronidazole effective for thrush?

Thrush is a difficult-to-treat disease. Penetrating into the body, a fungal infection quickly affects the organs. If candidiasis is not treated, the disease worsens, enters the chronic stage and is accompanied by constant relapses.

Potent medications help prevent serious complications. Your doctor may prescribe Metronidazole for thrush. This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can cleanse the body of harmful bacteria.

Possible complications

When using the solution at the injection site, thrombophlebitis (inflammation of nearby subcutaneous vessels) rarely (1-2%) occurs, which is accompanied by swelling, redness, and pain.

A long course of treatment with Metronidazole can also cause thrush. The effect of the drug is not selective; it suppresses the growth and development of any bacterial flora. This causes suppression of local immunity and the development of fungal infection (candidiasis).

When taking alcoholic beverages, ethanol-based medications, and Metronidazole, severe headaches, nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting appear.

The drug may cause a false positive Nelson-Meyer test for syphilis.

Action of Metronidazole

All diseases that are treated with Metronidazole are listed in the instructions. The antibiotic has a wide range of therapeutic options. An antimicrobial agent improves condition and well-being when diagnosed:

• urethritis;
• acute gastritis;
• giardiasis;
• alcohol addiction;
• meningitis;
• dysentery;
• genital tract infections;
• stomach ulcers;
• hemorrhoids;
• burns.

Metronidazole has antiulcer, antibacterial, antialcohol and antiprotozoal activity. Despite such a wide range of therapeutic abilities, the drug is powerless against some pathogens of candidiasis.

Metronidazole for thrush is prescribed as an adjuvant. It does not cure the disease on its own. The combination drug is involved in complex therapy and is most effective in treating complications and identifying concomitant infectious diseases caused by candidiasis.

Is this remedy able to completely eliminate candidiasis?

“Can thrush symptoms be treated with Metranidazole?” - Many patients are looking for the answer to this question. After all, the drug does not belong to typical antifungal drugs, which have their own specific action. This is a medication used for the combined treatment of isolated protozoal or bacterial diseases.

It does not have a strong enough effect on the causative agent of fungal pathologies. But its use as part of combination therapy for diseases of the female and male reproductive system is invaluable. For this purpose, this remedy is often combined with true antifungal drugs - usually Fluconazole or its analogues.

A similar treatment option is used in the fight against trichomoniasis, various bacterial vaginitis, recurrent candidiasis and sexually transmitted pathologies. Metronidazole can also be taken prophylactically for postoperative complications.

Good to know! Women should not delay treatment with this medication! Uncontrolled and long-term use of the drug causes serious disruption of the vaginal microflora, which significantly aggravates the nature of the disease and its further therapy.

Before starting treatment, make sure the diagnosis is correct and visit a doctor. Metronidazole for thrush will only help if the correct and effective therapeutic tactics are chosen. Use any medicine strictly as prescribed by a specialist!

Consequences of self-medication with antibiotics

Due to its ability to penetrate a pathogenic cell, inhibit and destroy it, Metronidazole is classified as an antibiotic. With complex therapy, the drug helps cure thrush, but every woman should be aware of the possible side effects.

Self-medication with strong antibiotics is dangerous. Dosages are determined taking into account the patient’s age and the presence of other diseases. Data from instructions, as a rule, reflects average parameters and does not take into account individual characteristics.

When treating thrush with Metronidazole, the body experiences a toxic effect. The reaction to such exposure can be unpredictable and depends on the state of health. If you rely only on the information from the medicine leaflet, you can easily make a mistake, and incorrect doses of antibiotics cause complications and increase symptoms.

Women should take any medications for thrush only after visiting and getting approval from a doctor. In addition to the dosage, the duration of treatment is very important. Many women taking Mentronidazole for vaginal candidiasis feel improvement after 2-3 days. They stop taking the medicine, believing that the disease has subsided. In fact, the fungal infection has not gone away. It has acquired a sluggish form and continues to spread, infecting organs.

If the patient categorically refuses to use antibiotics, Trichopolum may be an alternative. This drug is called Russian Metronidazole, since the pharmacological properties of the drugs are identical.

It contains auxiliary components, so it does not belong to the group of antibacterial agents. In cases where Trichopolum is contraindicated, the specialist prescribes Metronidazole, describes the treatment regimen and dosage.

Symptoms

It is quite difficult for some women to recognize thrush, so they should first diagnose it, and not rush to buy metronidazole and use it at their own discretion. What is she? This term is called vaginal candidiasis in simple speech.

The disease received this name because the plaque resembles a product obtained from milk. The causative agent is the fungus Candida, which is present in the human body in small quantities even in healthy people.

Use of Metronidazole for thrush

For candidiasis, the drug is prescribed in cases where the disease is accompanied by secondary and sexually transmitted infections. The remedy for thrush is used for acute and chronic forms of the disease, but it has one feature.

The main active ingredient, nitroimidazole, has a weak effect on fungal flora, so monotherapy is ineffective. Metronidazole only helps in combination with other antifungal medications.

The medicine is produced in the form of tablets, gels, solution for internal injections and suppositories (suppositories).

For diseases such as thrush, suppositories are often used. This is the most popular form in the treatment of gynecological diseases in women.

Sometimes therapy involves pills. This need arises when concomitant infectious diseases are identified. It is recommended to use the drugs after meals. The course and daily dosage are prescribed by the doctor.

Neo-Penotran Forte suppositories against thrush are very popular. Suppositories with metronidazole are administered after washing for 50–60 minutes. During the procedure, the woman must lie down; any movement is undesirable.

Detailed information is contained in the instructions for use, but when choosing an anti-thrush remedy, being guided only by these recommendations is not enough. Treatment regimens are always different, so only a specialist can make the correct prescriptions.

Possible complications

The doctor can determine for himself which drug would be more appropriate to use against thrush in a particular case. It is not always appropriate to use only tablets; in some cases, complex therapy against candidiasis will also include creams, suppositories, capsules for administration directly into the vagina, and so on.

If comprehensive measures were not taken against thrush or it was treated incorrectly, then it can cause complications in the form of:

• inflammation of the urinary tract and the bladder itself;
• cervical lesions;
• spread of infection beyond the boundaries of the genital organs, affecting the skin and other mucous membranes;
• transition of the disease to a chronic form (when the disease manifests itself more than 4 times a year).

When thrush takes on a mixed appearance, that is, there is not only infection by Candida fungi, but also an inflammatory process, then it makes sense to use metronidazole in combination with other drugs. In this case, it best shows its effectiveness against vaginal candidiasis.

Source: triparazita.ru