Medications for vaginal use are topical drugs. With their help, you can directly affect the area of development of pathology. Often these medicines are used in combination with other agents, for example, for oral use. This article will tell you how ketoconazole suppositories are prescribed and applied. Information from the annotation and available reviews about the drug will be described later.
general characteristics
The preparation "Ketoconazole" has a simple composition: the main active ingredient is the component of the same name - ketoconazole. One suppository contains 400 mg of this therapeutic substance. Suppositories also include additional components: butylhydroxyanisole and glycerides. These substances allow you to get the appropriate consistency.
The manufacturer also produces Ketoconazole cream. This product is intended for local use. It contains the same component (ketoconazole) in an amount of 20 mg.
Appointment
Suppositories "Ketoconazole" are used in gynecology. They are intended for the treatment of fungal diseases. The following cases are considered indications for use, which are described in the annotation:
- acute and chronic candidiasis, confirmed by laboratory tests;
- prevention of fungal diseases after antibiotic therapy, surgical interventions and with a decrease in the body's immune defense.
Ketoconazole is a cream that also has an antifungal effect. However, due to its consistency, the medication can be applied to the skin and mucous membranes. Indications for its use are various fungal diseases and their prevention.
Restrictions in use: who should not use Ketoconazole suppositories?
Like many other medicines, this medicine has contraindications. They are clearly prescribed in the instructions and should be studied immediately before using the drug. It is forbidden to prescribe vaginal suppositories for women during pregnancy (1 trimester). The medicine should not be used with hypersensitivity to one of the components. In this case, additional components of the drug are taken into account.
Antifungal medication can be used during lactation and 2-3 trimester of pregnancy. However, such an appointment should be made by a doctor after taking into account the benefits and harms. Do not use Ketoconazole suppositories without a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis. After all, the symptoms of thrush can have other diseases that are non-fungal in origin.
In what situations is a replacement medication necessary?
Of course, Ketoconazole has analogues that can be in the form of tablets for oral use, ointments, suppositories, and so on. The consumer chooses exactly the tool that is convenient for its use. All substitutes for the drug belong to antifungal agents. An analogue is selected in cases where the use of the described means is impossible. Often this happens during pregnancy or if the patient is allergic to components. If after the first use of suppositories the patient has adverse reactions, the doctor may also decide to replace the drug with another, similar one. There are many substitutes for the drug.
The medicine "Ketoconazole" analogues has the following: suppositories "Livarol", ointment "Mycozoral" and so on. One of the most popular substitutes for drugs is the oral administration of Diflucan and Flucostat. They have in their composition another active substance. However, the principle of the drug is similar. Also, vaginal tablets "Terzhinan" and "Pimafucin" can be attributed to drug substitutes. They are designed to eliminate inflammation and eliminate fungal infections. The latter remedy is often prescribed by gynecologists during pregnancy, it is recognized as the safest and most proven.
Ketoconazole (candles): instructions for use
As you already know, this tool is intended for vaginal administration. Before using the drug, you need to thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap. If this procedure is not possible, use sterile gloves. Remember that fingernails should be short-cut. This will protect the patient from damage to the vaginal mucosa and infection.
Before administering the drug, you need to carefully study the instructions, and then remove one suppository from a common cell. In a horizontal position, insert one candle as deep as possible into the vagina. After this, it is recommended to lie down for a while. For maximum effect, perform the procedure before going to bed at night. The duration of treatment is determined in each case individually. In chronic candidiasis, the medication is used for seven to ten days. The acute course of infection requires five days of therapy. If there is a need for preventive measures, then the medicine can be prescribed for a period of 3 to 14 days.
Adverse reactions
The drug "Ketoconazole" reviews is mostly positive. Most consumers are satisfied with the therapy. However, the instructions for use describe adverse reactions to treatment. These include allergies. More often it is manifested by burning, itching, redness of the mucous membranes. In this case, the doctor determines the possibility of replacing or completely discontinuing the drug.
Side effects include an increase in vaginal discharge. However, this symptom is not a reason for discontinuing therapy. Experts recommend using sanitary pads during treatment.
How does the medication work?
Ketoconazole treatment is effective only if used correctly. Therefore, before starting therapy, be sure to consult a doctor and study the information from the instructions. In this case, you can be sure that the drug will really help solve the problem.
The antifungal agent is effective against many microorganisms. It also perfectly destroys streptococci and staphylococci. Therefore, its action can also include anti-inflammatory effect. The main component of the drug is ketoconazole, which destroys the membranes of pathogenic microorganisms, preventing their further reproduction.
The medicine is practically not absorbed into the systemic circulation. It acts directly on the area of infection. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to combine suppositories with other medicines for internal use.
The prevailing opinion about the antifungal medication
The drug “Ketoconazole” has good reviews from consumers. Patients talk about the convenience of using the medication. Unlike other drugs, vaginal suppositories need to be used only once a day. Women report that after waking up and dissolving the candle, a slight leakage of the drug is possible. Therefore, in order not to spoil the underwear, it is worth using sanitary pads.
Patients say that on the third day of using the medicine, all the disturbing symptoms go away. Itching and abundant cheesy discharge disappears. The general state of health is significantly improved, since a fungal infection gives the representatives of the weaker sex a great discomfort.
Consumers note the low cost of the ketoconazole medication. Candles, the price of which is about 300 rubles, are cheap in comparison with their counterparts. For example, the drug "Livarol" will cost you 450 rubles. The drug "Terzhinan" costs about 600 rubles.
Doctors always remind their patients that any means for vaginal use can reduce the effectiveness of contraception. For the duration of treatment, it is worth forgetting about barrier methods (vaginal tablets, suppositories), a condom is used with extreme caution. If you are protected by hormonal pills, then do not worry.
Experts say that during treatment of a woman, her partner should also receive therapy. Representatives of the stronger sex rarely manifest symptoms of fungal infection, however, they can become its carrier. Therefore, in order not to become infected during the subsequent contact again, you need to choose the right tool for the partner. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this topic.
A little summary
You have learned about an antifungal agent with the trade name "Ketoconazole" (suppositories). Price, instructions for use, reviews and analogues of the drug are presented to your attention. After completing therapy, be sure to re-test. Research will help determine the effect of treatment. Perhaps the doctor will give additional recommendations. Often, after antifungal therapy, agents are prescribed that restore the vaginal microflora. This is necessary to enhance immunity and prevent the re-development of pathology. All the best to you, don’t be ill!