title: New approaches for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Review alternative approaches to oral metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment of clinical trials on the treatment of bacterial vaginosis with regimens other than 5 to 7 days of metronidazole.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Single-dose metronidazole, 2 gm orally, is as effective as 5- to 7-day courses of oral metronidazole, with cure rates in the 80% to 90% range. Oral clindamycin results in more than a 90% clinical cure rate. Intravaginal clindamycin cream 2% and intravaginal metronidazole gel 0.75% are associated with clinical cure rates similar to those for oral metronidazole.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single-dose metronidazole, oral clindamycin, intravaginal clindamycin cream, and intravaginal metronidazole gel are effective and safe alternatives to a 5- to 7-day course of oral metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Magee-Womens Hospital, PA 15213.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sweet
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D002981:Clindamycin