Gyno-Daktarin (miconazole) – vaginal anti-fungal
TL;DR
Gyno-Daktarin is a powerful anti-fungal medication designed to combat vaginal thrush, offering relief through capsules or cream with miconazole as the active ingredient. This article delves into the usage, safety precautions, and potential side effects of using Gyno-Daktarin for treating vaginal fungal infections, providing essential information for those seeking relief from this uncomfortable condition.
Gyno-Daktarin is a topical medicine used to treat vaginal fungal infections, with Daktarin a brand that also sells anti-fungals for the rest of your body (athlete’s foot, for example). Vaginal thrush (Candidiasis yeast infection) can be treated locally with anti-fungal creams or pessaries, with the active ingredient being miconazole.
Miconazole comes in a capsule for insertion into the vagina each day once or twice for up to two weeks, and a cream for use inside the vagina and/or on the vulva (lips) to help stop the dreaded itch. Your doctor will advise your method of delivery and timeframe. The medicine kills yeasts and fungi by interrupting the cell membrane and preventing it from producing a substance that keeps the membrane intact (ergosterol). Without this intact cell membrane, other substances can enter the organism and cause its contents to leak out, killing the fungus.
Miconazole also has an antibacterial effect, but it is not its main purpose, as this effect isn’t as strong as it might be. This means it can have a negative effect on beneficial microflora present.
Ingredients – Vaginal Capsules
- Miconazole nitrate 400mg
- Sodium ethylparaben 0.073% m/m (preservative)
- Sodium propylparaben 0.036% m/m (preservative)
Ingredients – Vaginal Cream (5g)
- miconazole nitrate 100mg
- Benzoic acid 0.3% (preservative)
Safety
- Avoid using latex condoms or diaphragms with Gyn0-Daktarin vaginal capsules (the 2% cream is reported by the company to be ok) (Find out about non-latex condoms here.)
- Don’t use this product in children
- Don’t use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients
- Despite clinical trials including over 500 pregnant women with no ill effects observed at all, use with caution during pregnancy, since in animal studies, miconazole crossed the placenta and caused foetal toxicity
- It is not known if miconazole nitrate is excreted in breast milk, therefore avoid this treatment except on the advice of your physician
- This treatment is for the vagina only, not to be taken by mouth
Side effects
Ironically, very common side effects are itching and burning, which can also be the symptoms of a yeast infection, but less commonly, some women may experience pelvic cramps, headaches or a rash.
Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
- International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
- National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) Australia
- New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)