Treatment of sexually transmitted vaginosis/vaginitis.
Although much has been learned about sexually transmissible forms of vaginitis/vaginosis during the past decade, therapeutic options for these disorders remain limited. A single 2-g oral dose of metronidazole still remains highly effective against most Trichomonas vaginalis infections. Mildly resistant infections can usually be cured with metronidazole oral doses of 2 g daily for 3-7 days. When highly resistant infections occur, toxic levels of metronidazole may be needed for the drug to cure the infection. Metronidazole (500 mg twice daily for 7 days) continues to be highly efficacious in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Shorter oral treatment regimens that use single 2-g doses of metronidazole for 2-3 days appear promising but may be associated with higher relapse rates. Oral clindamycin (300 mg twice daily) or local 2% clindamycin cream (once daily for 7 days) also may be effective. Metronidazole intravaginal sponges (250-1,000 mg) used for 3 days may also be effective in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/HIV, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
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Lossick
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008795:Metronidazole