Terconazole (Vaginal)

Terconazole vaginal cream and suppositories are used to treat vaginal fungal or yeast infections. This medicine works by killing the fungus or yeast and stopping it from growing.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is important for your doctor to check your progress after treatment. This is to ensure that the infection is completely gone and to allow your doctor to look for any side effects.

If your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse, contact your doctor immediately.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical help. Call your doctor right away if you experience a blistering, peeling, or red skin rash, itching, sores or ulcers in the mouth or lips, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while using this medicine.

Contact your doctor immediately if you have a fever, chills, irritation, or flu-like symptoms after using this medicine.

Terconazole suppositories should not be used with vaginal contraceptive diaphragms that contain certain rubber or latex products.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks of taking the medicine compared to the benefits it may provide. This is a choice you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare provider know about any other types of allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, be sure to read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies have not been done to determine how terconazole affects children. Its safety and effectiveness in kids have not been established.

Geriatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the use of terconazole in this age group.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the possible benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be taken together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions might be necessary. Inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare provider about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Burning feeling in the vagina

Less common

• Chills
• fever
• itching or irritation in the vagina

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• hives or welts
• hoarseness
• irritation
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• joint pain, stiffness or swelling
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rash
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• redness of the skin
• runny nose
• shivering
• skin rash
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sweating
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• tightness in the chest
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

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:

More common

• Cramps
• headache
• heavy bleeding
• pain

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• body pain

Incidence not known

• Difficulty with moving
• lack or loss of strength
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle pain or stiffness
• swollen joints

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.

In the U.S.

• Terazol 3
• Terazol 7
• Zazole

Available Dosage Forms:

• Cream
• Suppository

Therapeutic Class: Antifungal

Chemical Class: Triazole

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

To use the vaginal cream:

• The vaginal cream comes in a tube. You will use an applicator to put the cream into your vagina.
• The applicator is an empty plastic tube called a barrel. There is a plunger on one end and an opening on the other end.
• Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.
• Remove the cap from the end of the tube. Screw the open end of the applicator onto the tube of cream.
• Squeeze the tube and fill the applicator until it is full or the plunger stops.
• Unscrew the applicator from the tube and replace the cap on the tube.
• To use the applicator: Lie on your back with your knees drawn up toward your chest. Hold the applicator by the open end of the barrel and gently insert it into the vagina as far as it will comfortably go. Slowly press the plunger of the applicator to release the cream into the vagina, and then gently remove it.
• After using, pull the plunger completely out of the applicator and wash both pieces with lukewarm, soapy water, and dry thoroughly.
• If the medicine comes with disposable applicators, use each applicator only once, and then throw it away.

To use the vaginal suppository:

• The oval-shaped suppositories may be inserted with or without an applicator.
• Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.
• If you are using it with an applicator, unwrap the tablet and place the flat end of the suppository into the open end of the applicator. Then, lie on your back with knees drawn up toward your chest. Gently insert the applicator high into the vagina and push the plunger to release the tablet. After using, pull the plunger completely out of the applicator and wash both pieces with lukewarm, soapy water and dry thoroughly. If the medicine comes with disposable applicators, use each applicator only once, and then throw it away.
• If you are inserting the tablet without an applicator, lie on your back with knees towards your chest, and place the suppository on the tip of your finger. Gently insert the suppository high into the vagina as far as it will comfortably go.

Avoid wearing tight jeans, nylon underwear, pantyhose and wet bathing suits which can cause yeast infection. Instead, wear looser pants or skirts, dry and clean cotton underwear, and stockings to avoid this problem.

This medicine may leak out of your vagina during the day. You may wear a sanitary pad to protect your clothing, but do not use a tampon. Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms improve after the first few doses. Do not stop using the medicine if your menstrual period begins during your treatment time. Use sanitary pads rather than tampons.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For vaginal yeast infections: For vaginal dosage form (cream): Adults—One full applicator (5 grams) applied in the vagina once a day at bedtime for 3 or 7 consecutive days, as directed by your doctor. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For vaginal dosage form (suppository): Adults—One suppository inserted in the vagina once a day at bedtime for 3 consecutive days. Each suppository contains 80 milligrams (mg) of terconazole. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.