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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe most common treatment for trichomoniasis, including if you're pregnant, is to swallow one megadose of either metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax). Taking the medication by mouth is much more effective for trichomoniasis than inserting a cream or gel version of the medication into the vagina.
Both you and your partner need treatment and to avoid unprotected sex until the infection is cured, which takes about a week.
Side effects of the medication may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Metallic taste
- Dizziness
Don't drink alcohol for 24 hours after taking metronidazole or 72 hours after taking tinidazole, because it can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
References
- Eckert LO, et al. Vaginitis. Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/168081625-3/0/1524/148.html?tocnode=53759486&fromURL=148.html. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Weller PF. Protozoal intestinal infections and trichomoniasis. In: Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=9125604. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- John CC, et al. Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis). In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0755-7..00276-1&isbn=978-1-4377-0755-7&sid=1252646240&uniqId=311328796-5#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0755-7..00276-1. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Trichomoniasis fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/Trichomonas/STDFact-Trichomoniasis.htm. Accessed Jan. 3, 2012.
- Bachman LH, et al. Trichonomas vaginalis genital infections: Progress and challenges. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2011;53:S160.
- Harp DF, et al. Trichomoniasis: Evaluation to execution. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2011;157:3.
- Moon KT. Rapid antigen testing vs. wet mount for detecting T. vaginalis. American Family Physician. 2008;77:686.
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