Miconazole
Conditions Treated
Miconazole, an antifungal agent, is used for skin infections such as athlete's foot and jock itch and for vaginal yeast infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Possible Side Effects
What Side Effects Can This Cause?
Miconazole may cause side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- increased burning, itching, or irritation of the skin or vagina
- stomach pain
- fever
- foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Usage Instructions
How Should This Medication Be Used
Miconazole comes as a cream, lotion, powder, spray liquid, and spray powder to be applied to the skin. It also comes as a cream and suppository to be inserted into the vagina. Miconazole is usually used once or twice a day for 1 month for athlete's foot or 2 weeks for other skin infections. For vaginal infections, it is used once a day at bedtime for 3 (Monistat-3) or 7 (Monistat-7) days. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use miconazole exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than directed by your doctor. It probably will take several days for improvement to be seen in skin infections. Apply the topical forms of miconazole sparingly to the infected area after washing and drying the skin thoroughly. The cream and lotion should be rubbed gently into the skin. Wash your hands promptly. If you are using miconazole vaginal cream or suppositories, read the instructions provided with the medication and follow these steps:
Are There Any Special Instructions
Before using miconazole, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to miconazole or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including vitamins.
Brand Names
Common Brand Names for This Medication
- Desenex® Topical Powder
- Femizol-M®
- Fungoid® Cream
- Lotrimin® AF Athlete's Foot Deodorant Spray Powder
- Lotrimin® AF Athlete's Foot Powder
- Lotrimin® AF Athlete's Foot Spray Liquid
- Lotrimin® AF Athlete's Foot Spray Powder
- Lotrimin® AF Jock Itch Spray Powder
- Micatin® Athlete's Foot Cream
- Micatin® Athlete's Foot Spray Liquid
- Micatin® Athlete's Foot Spray Powder
- Micatin® Jock Itch Cream
- Micatin® Jock Itch Spray Powder
- Monistat® 1 Combination Pack Dual-Pak®
- Monistat® 3
- Monistat® 3 Combination Pack®
- Monistat® 7
- Monistat® 7 Combination Pack®
- Ting® Antifungal Spray Powder
- Ting® Spray Liquid
- Zeasorb®-AF
- Zeasorb®-AF Lotion
Forgotten Doses
What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If you remember a missed dose at the time you are scheduled to apply the next one, omit the missed dose completely and use only the regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Additional Information
What Are the Storage Conditions for this Medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What Other Information Should I Know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Miconazole is for external use only. Do not let miconazole get into your eyes, nose, or mouth, and do not swallow it. Do not apply dressings, bandages, cosmetics, lotions, or other skin medications to the area being treated unless your doctor tells you. If you obtained the topical form of miconazole without a prescription and your symptoms do not improve within 4 weeks (2 weeks for jock itch), stop using it and talk to a pharmacist or doctor. If this is the first time you have had vaginal itching and discomfort, talk to a doctor before using miconazole. If a doctor has told you before that you had a yeast infection and you have the same symptoms again, use the vaginal cream or suppositories as directed on the package. Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the miconazole, call your doctor. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.