Flagyl vs. Monistat

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

Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) and Monistat Vaginal Cream (miconazole nitrate vaginal cream) are used to treat different types of vaginal infections.

Flagyl is used to treat bacterial vaginosis and Monistat 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 Monistat belong to different drug classes. Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection are antibiotics and Monistat is an antifungal medication.

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

Side effects of Flagyl and Monistat that are similar include headache or abdominal cramps.

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

Side effects of Monistat that are different from Flagyl include burning, stinging, swelling, irritation, redness, pimple-like bumps, tenderness, itching, pain, or flaking of the treated skin; burning/itching/pain in the vagina or urinary opening; or an increased need to urinate.

Both Flagyl and Monistat may interact with blood thinners.

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

Monistat may also interact with oral antibiotics or drugs that suppress the immune system.

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 Monistat include:

• burning,
• stinging,
• swelling,
• irritation,
• redness,
• pimple-like bumps,
• tenderness,
• itching,
• pain, or flaking of the treated skin;
• headache,
• burning/itching/pain in the vagina or urinary opening;
• an increased need to urinate, or
• lower abdominal cramps.

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 Monistat?

Monistat Vaginal Cream (miconazole nitrate vaginal cream) is an azole antifungal medication used to treat vaginal candida (yeast) infections. Some formulations of this medication are available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC).

Flagyl may interact with blood thinners or seizure medications.

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

Monistat Vaginal Cream may adversely interact with warfarin, oral antibiotics, or drugs that suppress the immune system. Discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor. This medication should be used only when advised by your doctor during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. 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.

Monistat Vaginal Cream is usually used once/daily at bedtime, and applied directly into the vagina. Read the instructions for application information.