Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment Plan (Metronidazole Gel)
Overview:
This treatment plan outlines the application, dosage, and potential side effects of Metronidazole for treating Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). Ensure you read this plan thoroughly, along with the manufacturer’s pamphlet accompanying the medicine for comprehensive information on interactions, side effects, and other vital details.
INSTRUCTIONS:
For treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), you must take;
Metronidazole Gel, which you are to insert one (1) applicator full, vaginally, each night for 5 nights, will decrease the overgrowth of this bacteria, which commonly lives in women’s reproductive organs.
Signs of this infection include painless, foul-smelling discharge without itching or burning with urination.
Bacterial vaginosis should not cause pain or discomfort during intercourse and cannot be transmitted between male/female sexual partners. It can be transferred between female/female sexual partners, but colonization does not mean overgrowth. It is the overgrowth of this bacteria, which is not harmful to your body, that causes the change in discharge with odor.
IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING YOUR TREATMENT:
- Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 72 hours after completing your treatment. Drinking alcohol while on antibiotics can increase the risk of side effects, interfere with the medication’s effectiveness, and delay recovery.
- For your safety and the well-being of others, we strongly recommend that you refrain from all forms of sexual activity for at least seven (7) days.
- The use of Metrogel may result in a temporary chunky white discharge that can last for a few days. After application, the gel solidifies and is naturally expelled from the body over time. Patients should not mistake this for a yeast infection, as this is a normal part of how Metrogel works.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
This medicine contains the following active ingredients. If you are allergic to any of these components, similar components, or any of the other components listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet, please do not take it.
- Metronidazole
ALLERGIES:
This medicine may cause an allergic reaction if you are allergic to similar medicines or components. If you are allergic to any of the following, please stop the medicine and see your doctor in person:
- Metronidazole (often prescribed to treat trichomoniasis)
- Nitroimidazole derivatives, or any component of the formulation
- Use of disulfiram within the past 2 weeks
CONDITIONS:
We evaluate your health history and the specific health information you provide us; however, if anything changes and you develop or discover that one of these conditions applies to you, please stop taking this medicine and seek care in person: Metronidazole:
- Pregnancy
- Use of any alcohol or Antabuse (Disulfiram)
- Central nervous system problems
- Liver problems
- Blood disorders
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING:
Metronidazole crosses the placental barrier and its effects on human fetal organogenesis are not known. It is also present in breast milk after oral intake. Because of the potential for tumorigenicity shown for metronidazole in studies, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the medication, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. This decision should be made with direction from your primary care physician or another source of local medical care.
EMERGENCY SIDE EFFECTS:
This medicine can cause dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects. If any of the emergency side effects listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet or those below happen to you, please stop taking the medicine and call 911 or seek immediate medical help in person:
- Seizures
- Anxiety or agitation
- Difficulty swallowing or throat swelling
- Jaundice or yellow skin
- Liver and kidney disease
- Severe skin rash or changes
- Severe weakness or fatigue
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
OTHER SIDE EFFECTS:
This medicine can also cause other side effects. If any of the other side effects listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet or those below happen to you please stop taking the medicine and see your doctor in person:
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Dark red urine
- Headache
- Lightheadedness or passing out
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Metallic taste
- Candida Vaginitis
MEDICINES, SUPPLEMENTS, AND FOODS:
We evaluate your health history and the specific health information you provide us; however, if anything changes and you start or discover that you are taking any of the medicines, foods, or supplements listed below, consult with your physician or local care before you take the medicine. Some of these can cause dangerous interactions with the medicine we are prescribing you and we will help you evaluate that risk and decide on an appropriate treatment plan:
- HIV medications
- Birth control (all hormonal)
- Narcotic pain medications
- Anti-seizure medications
- Antipsychotic medications
ACCURATE INFORMATION:
We evaluate the specific health information you provide and make our recommendations based on it. If you incorrectly provide that information, we may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment.
TREATMENT FAILURE:
This treatment is not 100% effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. If it is an emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical help in person.
MISDIAGNOSIS AND DELAYED DIAGNOSIS:
There is also a risk that we will misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment. This risk exists with a doctor in person as well but they may have additional signs and symptoms to aid their evaluation. We use an evidence-based practice and guidelines as well as clinical decision support to try to minimize these risks.
ACCEPTING OR DECLINING OUR RECOMMENDATION:
We recommend this treatment because the potential benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. You should evaluate this information as well as the manufacturer’s pamphlet, and any input from your in-person healthcare team, or other information to decide if this treatment plan is appropriate for you. You are free to decline our treatment recommendations although, doing so may prolong symptoms and be associated with negative outcomes.
OTHER TREATMENTS:
We have based our recommendation on your specific case and medical guidelines, but there may be alternative treatments or strategies that may be helpful to you. Some may be more or less effective than what we provide. Some treatments may require an in-person exam or procedure which we can’t provide.
SHARE WITH YOUR IN-PERSON HEALTHCARE TEAM:
You can access your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person doctor, pharmacist, and the rest of your healthcare team to let them know about any new medicines you are taking or other changes in your health.
