Spermicide (Vaginal Route)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

RareSigns of toxic shock syndrome—for cervical caps or diaphragms
  • Chills
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Fever
  • Lightheadedness
  • Muscle aches
  • Sunburn-like skin rash that is followed by peeling of the skin
  • Unusual redness of the inside of the nose, mouth, throat, vagina, or insides of the eyelids

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

RareFor females and males
  • Skin rash, redness, irritation, or itching that does not subside or go away within a short period of time
For females only
  • Cloudy or bloody urine
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Pain in the bladder or lower abdomen
  • Thick, white, or curd-like vaginal discharge—with use of cervical caps or diaphragms only
  • Vaginal irritation, redness, rash, dryness, or whitish discharge

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common
  • Vaginal discharge (temporary)—for creams, foams, and suppositories
  • Vaginal dryness or odor

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Precautions

DR602375

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


Text Size: smaller largerlarger