Terconazole vaginal cream is an azole antifungal cream used to treat vaginal yeast infection caused by a fungus called candida, hence this type of infection is called candidiasis. Candidiasis is a common fungal infection that causes itching and burning sensations in the vagina. Terconazole vaginal cream treats the infection by stopping the growth of the yeast causing the infection, thereby reducing the burning, itching, and discharge that may occur due to the infection.
Naturally, a healthy vagina has some bacteria and yeast cells that inhabit there, however, a vaginal yeast infection occurs when the balance between bacteria and yeast in the vagina changes, so the number of yeast cells there is more. Vaginal yeast infection can be transmitted sexually, but even women who are not sexually active can also get infected. Actually, it is not even considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Your doctor may prescribe terconazole vaginal cream for other purposes aside from treating a yeast infection. The drug is available in 3 common brand names: Terazol 3, Terazol 7, and Zazole. It is also available in its generic form as terconazole vaginal.
HOW TO USE TERCONAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM
Terconazole vaginal cream should be taken according to the doctor’s prescription or the directions on the leaflet of the drug. It’s usually used daily at bedtime for either 3-7 days. The dosage and period of treatment will also be prescribed by your doctor. Don’t use smaller or larger amounts or for longer than recommended and should not be taken orally.
Every time you need to use it, always wash your hands before and after to prevent contamination. Terconazole vaginal cream usually comes with an applicator for measuring and inserting the cream. There is also a prefilled form of the drug, each containing one daily dose of terconazole vaginal cream.
Sometimes, the drug comes with disposable applicators. Disposable applicators should be used just once and thrown away right after you’re done inserting the cream, even if there’s still some left on it. However, if it’s not a disposable applicator, after each use, wash it off in lukewarm soap water and allow it to dry.
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To insert the cream:
Follow the instructions on the leaflet of the drug on how to fill in the applicator. If you’re menstruating while still using terconazole vaginal cream, don’t use tampons. Also, don’t douche while still using the drug. Use instead unscented sanitary pads to protect your clothes from stained with your period blood.
- Lie on your back with your knees toward your chest
- Insert the filled applicator into your vagina and slowly press the plunger of the applicator to release the cream.
- Repeat every day until you’ve completed your full prescription
Don’t stop the medication unless you have completed your prescription, even if symptoms disappear. Stopping the medication early may allow the fungus to continue growing which would result in a recurrence of the infection. However, if after 2 months of using the medication your symptoms don’t seem to improve, inform your doctor about it. You may need a different or additional treatment.
HOW LONG BEFORE TERCONAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM STARTS TO WORK?
5-10 hours after you have inserted it into your vagina, terconazole vaginal cream begins to kick in. you may begin to notice improvements within 1-2 days after you started using the drug.
SIDE EFFECTS OF TERCONAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM
Terconazole causes some serious side effects, some of the common ones are:
- Body pain
- Fever
- Headache
- Increased vaginal burning and itching
- Chills
- Stomach pain
- Increased menstrual cramp
Other side effects have been reported, although they occur rarely.
They include:
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Flu-like symptoms (fever and chills)
- Abdominal pain
Sometimes, these symptoms may be indicating a different or a more serious condition such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which would require a different treatment. Tell you’d doctor immediately if you have any of these side effects. Also inform your doctor if you have allergic reactions such as rash, itching, or swelling especially in the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing while using the drug.
TERCONAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM PRICE
The cost for terconazole vaginal cream varies depending on where you’re getting it and what type you’re getting, that is either the brand type or the generic type. The generic type usually costs lesser than the brand type, however, the price could range approximately between $10.21-$58.77.
CAN I PEE AFTER INSERTING TERCONAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM?
Yes, you can pee after inserting the drug, however, don’t do so immediately. It is recommended that you hold on for at least 1 hour after inserting the drug. This is to prevent any chances of the drug dissolving faster than it should.
Although the urethra is in front of the vagina, there is a chance that if you pee right after you’ve inserted the drug, some of the urine may go inside the vagina and this will cause the drug to dissolve too fast and make it too watery.
Holding your urine may be harmful to your body, but that is only when you’ve held on for too long. A healthy bladder can comfortably hold 2 cups of urine and that takes about 9-10 hours to make in the body. Therefore, waiting an hour to pee after inserting terconazole vaginal cream, should not pose any danger to you or cause damage to your organs.
However, to avoid holding your urine or the tendency of dissolving the drug too fast, always pee before inserting the drug.
HOW LONG DOES A YEAST INFECTION LAST AFTER USING TERCONAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM?
Mild yeast infections would typically take as few as 3 days to heal with or without treatment, however, candidiasis is not a mild yeast infection, so it could take longer than a few days to treat with terconazole vaginal cream.
WARNINGS
- Before you begin the medication, let your doctor know if you’re allergic to other azole antifungal agents such as fluconazole or if you have any allergies at all as the product may contain some active ingredients that can cause you great discomfort.
- Also let your doctor know if you have any underlying medical conditions such as HIV, PID, diabetes, flu, or frequent vaginal yeast infection.
- Don’t use terconazole vaginal cream if it’s your first time having a vaginal yeast infection.
- Avoid having it during the period you’re using the drug. Your sexual partner should contact a doctor if they begin to have signs of the infection, that is redness, itching, or burning around their genital area. It could be that the infection has been passed to them.
- Terconazole should be used once daily. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your dosing routine.
- Be careful when using the drug and avoid contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth until you have thoroughly washed your hand. Should the drug come in contact with your eyes, rinse it off immediately with clean water. Should you mistakenly swallow it, call your doctor or local poison control center.
- Try as much as you can to be consistent while using terconazole vaginal cream. Don’t discontinue treatment unless your prescription is completed or your doctor tells you to, as that could lead to a recurrence of the infection. Continuously skipping doses may also increase the risk of recurrence.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitted synthetic clothes such as nylon underwear or panty hose or any clothing that does not allow air circulation. Wearing loose clothes made of cotton or any other natural fibers will help with your healing.
- It is unlikely that there would be a drug interaction with terconazole vaginal cream, however, let your doctor know of any medicine you use, whether prescription, OTC, vitamins, or herbal products.
- Avoid scratching the area of the infection as that can cause more irritation and spread the infection.
- It is not yet known if terconazole vaginal cream can be harmful to fetuses and breastfeeding babies, or the mother. Regardless, tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, and discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before you start using this drug.
- Don’t share the drug with others.
- Don’t use tampons and don’t douche when using this drug. Douching may disturb the vaginal balance.
- Thoroughly dry your genital area after you’ve showered, bathe, or swim. Avoid damp clothes, to help prevent vaginal yeast infection.
- Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve after 3-7 days, as that could be a sign of a more serious condition.
- Inform all your health care providers including doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists that you’re using terconazole vaginal cream. This would make it easier to avoid any possible drug interactions.
- Keep all medicine out of children’s reach.
CONCLUSIONS
Terconazole vaginal cream is an azole antifungal drug used in treating vaginal yeast infection, by stopping the growth of the fungal (candida) causing the infection. It is a prescription-only medication and should be exactly as directed by your doctor. Don’t swallow it and avoid contact with your eyes while using it.