Flagyl vs. Gyne-Lotrimin

• Are Flagyl and Gyne-Lotrimin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flagyl?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Gyne-Lotrimin?
• What Is Flagyl?
• What Is Gyne-Lotrimin?
• What drugs interact with Flagyl?
• What drugs interact with Gyne-Lotrimin?
• How Should Flagyl Be Taken?
• How Should Gyne-Lotrimin Be Taken?

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) and Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole vaginal cream) are used to treat different types of vaginal infections.

Flagyl is used to treat bacterial vaginosis and Gyne-Lotrimin is used to treat vaginal candida (yeast) infections.

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection are also used to treat trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.

Flagyl and Gyne-Lotrimin belong to different drug classes. Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection are antibiotics and Gyne-Lotrimin is an antifungal medication.

Gyne-Lotrimin is available over-the-counter (OTC) and in generic versions.

Side effects of Flagyl and Gyne-Lotrimin that are similar include abdominal cramps.

Side effects of Flagyl that are different from Gyne-Lotrimin include nausea, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, weight loss, dizziness, dry mouth, dark-colored urine, or a metallic taste in the mouth or changes in taste.

Side effects of Gyne-Lotrimin that are different from Flagyl include vaginal or urethral burning/itching/pain/irritation or an increased need to urinate.

Flagyl may interact with cimetidine, seizure medications, blood thinners, lithium, or disulfiram.

Gyne-Lotrimin may interact with other vaginal creams or douches used at the same time.

Side effects of Flagyl include:

• nausea,
• abdominal cramps,
• stomach upset,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• headache,
• weight loss (anorexia),
• dizziness,
• dry mouth,
• dark-colored urine, or
• a metallic taste in the mouth or changes in taste.

Uncomfortable side effects that may become serious are:

• fevers,
• pain with urination,
• mouth sores,
• tingling or pricking sensations that may become permanent,
• brain disease, and
• seizures.

Serious but unlikely side effects of Flagyl include:

• unsteadiness,
• seizures,
• mood changes,
• numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, and
• painful urination.

Common side effects of Gyne-Lotrimin include:

• vaginal or urethral burning/itching/pain/irritation,
• an increased need to urinate, or
• lower abdominal cramps.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have rare but serious symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Gyne-Lotrimin including:

• rash,
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat),
• severe dizziness, or
• trouble breathing.

What is Flagyl?

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) are antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.

What Is Gyne-Lotrimin?

Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole vaginal cream) is an antifungal medication used to treat vaginal candida (yeast) infections. Gyne-Lotrimin is available over-the-counter and in generic versions.

Flagyl may interact with blood thinners or seizure medications.

Flagyl may also interact with cimetidine, lithium, or disulfiram.

Gyne-Lotrimin may interact with other vaginal creams or douches used at the same time. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Do not use Gyne-Lotrimin for self-treatment if you are pregnant. During pregnancy, Gyne-Lotrimin should be used only when recommended by your doctor. If you are pregnant, follow your doctor's instructions on how to use the applicator to insert this medication. It is unknown whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Flagyl is supplied in 250 and 500 mg strength tablets, Flagyl ER is available in 750 mg strength tablets, and Flagyl Injection in 500 mg strength in a buffered 100 ml vial. Dosage is quite variable and dependent upon the severity of disease and other considerations made by the treating physician. Most of the serious side effects may occur with any of these three preparations of Flagyl. Flagyl may cause liver enzyme levels to increase; lithium and creatinine levels should be checked to avoid lithium toxicity or renal compromise. Alcohol may increase the side effects of Flagyl. Patients on disulfiram should not take Flagyl until they have had a two week interval without taking disulfiram, especially alcoholic patients, to avoid psychotic reactions. Treatment in pregnant women (during first 3 months is not advised) or women who are breastfeeding should only be done if the benefits outweigh the potential problems. Flagyl passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Except for use in amebiasis, studies in pediatric patients are not available; Flagyl ER has no pediatric studies.

Fill the applicator with the cream and then insert one applicatorful dose of Gyne-Lotrimin cream into the vagina every day, preferably at bedtime. Dispose of applicator after use. Repeat this procedure with a new applicator for 7 consecutive days. In order to kill the yeast completely, you must use Gyne-Lotrimin the full seven days, even if symptoms are relieved sooner.