subject: Is Metronidazole The Best Drug For Bv? - Alternative Medications For Getting Rid Of Bacterial Vagino [print this page] Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common form of vaginal infection. It is caused by the anaerobic bacteria that normally reside in the vagina along with the good ones called lactobacilli. The exact pathophysiology of this medical problem is unknown but doctors say that it is when the lactobacilli are overrun by the bad bacteria that the woman who falls victim to this problem will show signs and symptoms, which include cramping pain, swelling, itching, foul odor and milky white or gray discharge.
Doctors would often prescribe oral antibiotics, vaginal suppositories and creams, often in the form of Metronidazole.
Is Metronidazole the best drug for BV? According to statistics, yes it is. Taking oral Metronidazole 500mg twice a day for 7 days has a 95% cure rate. This value is greater than any other drug could produce, that is why it is the most commonly prescribed drug for BV. However, because of the side-effect caused by oral Metronidazole, vaginal cream of the same drug is now more frequently used. This has 75% cure rate but without the side-effects that the oral antibiotic cause.
Other medications include Clindamycin 300mg twice daily by mouth for 7 days. This has a 94% cure rate but has some nasty side-effects like diarrhea, oral thrush or even another form of vaginal infection, mostly yeast.
Tinidazole appears to have fewer side effects than metronidazole. Newer Tinidazole-based antibiotics reduce the total number of doses to half and also lessen the days of treatment. Side-effects include nausea and a metallic taste that lingers in your tongue for quite some time.
Oral antibiotics are generally more effective in treating BV than creams or suppositories. However, they produce more side-effects than the other two mentioned. On the other hand, side-effects dont always appear in each person being treated with these drugs, only a select few. Remember that your doctor prescribes drugs knowing that the desired effects outweigh the risks with each treatment.
