Zidoval 7.5mg Vaginal Gel 40g

Bacterial Vaginosis Doctor Service

Zidoval gel contains metronidazole as an active ingredient, which belongs to the group of medicines called antibiotics. Each gram of gel contains 7.5 mg of metronidazole. This gel works by killing many kinds of bacteria that cause infections.

Zidoval gel is used to treat an infection of the vagina called bacterial vaginosis (BV for short) in adults. Zidoval gel works by applying inside the vagina where it destroys the bacteria at the site of the infection. 

Bacterial Vaginosis Is A Common Condition, Which Affects Many Women

There are many different bacteria and fungi that are naturally present in the vagina, called flora. Normal flora helps to keep the vagina healthy and prevent infections. However, sometimes, this balance of flora is thrown off, causing bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and so can also affect women who aren't sexually active. BV can, however, be triggered by sex and can increase the risk of contracting an STI.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis?

• A white or grey discharge with a 'fishy' smell
• Discharge that's thin or watery
• Usually there's no redness or soreness with BV. Half of women with BV don’t have any symptoms.

It is important that bacterial vaginosis is treated and cleared completely otherwise the infection can come back.

You must take the full course of this medicine as prescribed by your doctor to prevent this from happening.

A good self care guide and information for bacterial vaginosis is available on the NHS website.

NHS - Bacterial vaginosis

What Is Bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in your vagina is disturbed. Numerous types of bacteria naturally occur in the vagina without being harmful or causing symptoms. If numbers of certain bacteria increase or decrease, this balance is disrupted, which can lead to bacterial vaginosis.

BV is not dangerous. In fact, many women have it without noticing any symptoms. You only need to get treated if you are experiencing symptoms. In many cases, BV heals by itself as the natural balance in your vagina is restored.

Bacterial vaginosis can lead to complications during pregnancy. It is important that you get tested and treated if you are pregnant and experiencing BV symptoms.

How Do I Know If I Have Bacterial Vaginosis?

If you have had bacterial vaginosis before, you will most likely be familiar with the symptoms.

However, there are a number of conditions which cause very similar symptoms. Many sexually transmitted infections, for example gonorrhea and chlamydia, also cause discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is also easily confused with thrush (also known as yeast infection).

If you notice discharge and have had unprotected sex with a new partner in the past months, you need to get an STI test to make sure you have not been infected with an STI.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as an itch or pain while urinating, then your symptoms are not caused by bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is not commonly associated with itching, pain or irritation.

If you are unsure as to what is causing your symptoms you can visit your GP for a test. Your GP will collect a sample of the discharge to confirm the diagnosis.

Which Symptoms Are Typical For BV?

The most common symptoms associated with bacterial vaginosis are vaginal discharge and a fishy smell. The symptoms vary and they can be very mild. The discharge can either be thin and watery or of a greyish or white colour.

The bacteria which cause BV do not cause any symptoms in men. Men do not need to worry about BV, even if their partner has it.

Is Bacterial Vaginosis A Sexually Transmitted Disease?

Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection, although it causes very similar symptoms as some of the most common STIs. If you have had unprotected sex and think you have BV, you should get tested for STIs to ensure you get the correct treatment.

Although BV is not a sexually transmitted disease, having sex without a condom and having sex with multiple partners increases your risk of BV. If you repeatedly suffer from bacterial vaginosis you may find it helpful to use a condom during sex to avoid recurrent bouts.

What Are The Risk Factors For Getting BV?

• Vaginal douching
• STIs
• Being sexually active
• Having a new partner
• A copper intrauterine contraceptive device (known as an IUD)
• Bubble baths
• Smoking.

How Can I Help Prevent BV?

If you're getting BV often, see if the following things help to avoid another episode. Otherwise, speak to your GP who'll be able to make sure that you're not getting symptoms from something other than BV.

• Using condoms can help protect against BV
• Avoid using vaginal deodorants, perfumed soaps or douches
• Use water and plain soap to wash your genital area
• Take a shower instead of baths
• Don't smoke.

Like all medicines Zidoval gel can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Headache and dizziness
• Stomach cramps
• Being sick
• Unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Unusual feeling on your tongue
• Dry skin
• Redness of the skin (erythema)
• Itching of the skin (pruritus)
• Skin discomfort (burning, pain of skin/stinging)
• Skin irritation
• Vaginal thrush (candidiasis)
• Vaginal discharge
• Discomfort around your pelvis
• Decreased appetite.

The following side effect has also been reported (frequency not known) - An itchy rash (urticaria).

For a full list of side effects, read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before using any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us. 

Patient Information Leaflet Zidoval 7.5mg/g Vaginal Gel 40g

Do not use Zidoval gel if:

• You are allergic to metronidazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
• You are allergic to any similar nitroimidazole antibacterials.
• You are allergic to parabens (a preservative agent).

If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using your medicine. Do this even if they have applied in the past.

Zidoval gel is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age because the medicine’s safety in these groups has not been established.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

How to store Zidoval gel

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the tube after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Zidoval gel is not recommended for use in the ederly because the medicine’s safety in this group has not been established.

Other medicines and Zidoval gel

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Zidoval gel may increase the effect that the following medicines have:

• Coumarin anticoagulants, such as warfarin, which are used to prevent blood clotting.
• Lithium, a medicine to treat mental illness.
• Cyclosporin, a medicine used to treat autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.
• 5-fluorouracil, a medicine used for skin problems and the treatment of cancer.
• Any other medicine, including medicines obtained without a treatment of cancer prescription.

Zidoval gel with alcohol

Drinking alcohol whilst using Zidoval gel may make you feel or be sick, become confused, have a headache or have an abnormally fast heart beat. If this happens, stop drinking alcohol and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Zidoval gel contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate which may cause allergic reactions.

Zidoval gel also contains 30 mg propylene glycol (E1520) in each gram. Propylene glycol may cause skin irritation.

Before using any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Zidoval gel is for vaginal use only.

Always use this medicine exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Your doctor will choose the dose that is right for you. Your dose will be shown clearly on the label that your pharmacist puts on your medicine. 

Before you apply Zidoval gel

Good hygiene whilst using Zidoval gel is very important.

Always:

• Wash your hands before opening the tube or touching the applicators.
• Use a fresh applicator for each dose.
• Immediately throw away each used applicator in the waste bin.

Directions:

Disposable (throw away) applicators are provided with Zidoval gel to help you put the gel into your vagina.

1. Opening the tube: Remove the cap from the tube of Zidoval gel and pierce the sealed end of the tube with the pointed end of the cap.

2. Filling the applicator: Screw the open end of an applicator onto the end of the open tube. Squeeze the tube gently and slowly from the bottom to fill the applicator. The plunger will move as the applicator fills and will stop moving when it holds the required 5 g dose of Zidoval gel. Remove the applicator from the tube and replace the cap on the tube.

3. Inserting the applicator: Hold the filled applicator by its barrel and gently insert the applicator into the vagina as far as it will comfortably go. You may find this is easiest to do whilst laying on your back with your knees bent.

4. Releasing the gel: Slowly push the plunger down into the applicator to release the gel into your vagina. Continue pressing down until the plunger stops. This will ensure you have released the correct amount of gel.

5. Remove the applicator from the vagina and throw it in the waste bin immediately.

Repeat this procedure using a fresh applicator at bedtime for five consecutive days, or as directed by your doctor. If after using the full 5-day course of Zidoval gel you don‘t feel better, you should see your doctor again.

Adult dose

The dose of Zidoval gel is one 5 g application inserted into the vagina once daily, at bedtime, for five consecutive days.

This medicine is not recommended for use by children under 18 years of age.

This medicine is not recommended for use by the elderly.

If you use more Zidoval gel than you should

Do not use more Zidoval gel than you should. If you accidentally use too much, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Using too much of this medicine can increase the risk of side effects.

If you forget to use Zidoval gel

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Apply Zidoval gel at your next bedtime.

If you stop using Zidoval gel

Do not stop using Zidoval gel during a 5-day course of treatment without first talking to your doctor. It is important that you take the full course so that your infection clears up completely.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Zidoval gel:

• If you have ever had any blood problems or a disease affecting the blood.

If you have, or think you may have vaginal thrush (candidiasis). The symptoms of vaginal thrush may become more noticeable when you use Zidoval gel and you may need another treatment from your doctor for this.

• If you are having your period.
• If you are having blood tests because metronidazole can interfere with the results of some tests.

Avoid prolonged and unnecessary use of this medicine.

As with all vaginal infections, you should avoid sexual intercourse during the infection and whilst you are using Zidoval gel.

Zidoval gel is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age or elderly because the medicine’s safety in these groups has not been established.

The active substance is metronidazole. Each gram of gel contains 7.5mg of metronidazole.

The other ingredients are: Carbopol 974P, disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), propylene glycol (E1520), sodium hydroxide (E524) and purified water.

What Zidoval gel looks like and contents of the pack

Zidoval Vaginal gel is colourless or straw coloured. It comes in a 40g aluminium tube with a screw on a plastic cap in a carton. The carton also contains 5 disposable vaginal applicators that deliver 5g of gel.