What if BV doesn't go away with metronidazole?

BV that does not resolve after one course of treatment may be cured by a second course with the same agent. Another option is to switch to another agent (ie, metronidazole to clindamycin, or clindamycin to metronidazole) as other concomitant organisms may respond better to an alternate medication.

What do you do if metronidazole doesn't work?

Metronidazole doesn't work for everyone. Tinidazole, Solosec, Cleocin, Vancocin, and Alinia are some metronidazole alternatives. Get the full list here. Metronidazole (brand name Flagyl) is an antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial and parasitic infections.

What happens if your BV doesn't go away with antibiotics?

If you have persistent BV (ie it does not settle down with the first treatment you try) then your doctor may want to take further vaginal swabs to check whether there is another cause of the discharge. They will usually suggest that you use the seven-day course of metronidazole if you have not had this before.

How long after taking metronidazole will BV clear up?

With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems.

Why does metronidazole take so long to work?

by Drugs.com

Metronidazole starts to work 1 to 2 hours after you take it, because it is quickly absorbed, and it reaches its maximum concentration after 20 minutes to 3 hours. But it may take a couple of days before you start to feel better or notice an improvement in your symptoms.

How Do I Get Rid of Bacterial Vaginosis? | This Morning

How do you know if metronidazole is working?

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that the infection is cleared up. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. If your symptoms do not improve within a few days after you start this medicine or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Why are antibiotics not helping my BV?

Within a month, antibiotics clear up to 85% of bacterial vaginosis cases, yet for over half of these patients, BV will return within 6 months. This is thought to be in part because the antibiotics don't fully eradicate the pathogenic microbes, leaving BV-associated bacteria to regrow in the vagina following treatment.

Why hasn't my BV treatment worked?

Around a third of women who take antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) find that the problem recurs within the next two to three months. Some strains of BV organisms may have resistance to some antibiotics. You should return to your healthcare provider and describe the problems you are having.

How do I get rid of BV that won't go away?

Treatment for bacterial vaginosis includes antibiotic medicine. Depending on the medicine prescribed, these may be taken either by mouth or in the vagina. Antibiotics kill the "bad" bacteria that cause symptoms. But symptoms often come back after antibiotic treatment.

Can metronidazole fail?

In two recent studies, treatment failure rates of metronidazole were reported to be 38% and 78%, respectively. Pepin et al. reported the recurrence rate to be as high as 28.9% in their large-scale retrospective study.

How long is too long for metronidazole?

If you need to take metronidazole for longer than ten days, your doctor may want you to have some tests. Make sure you keep any appointments that your doctor gives to you.

How do you permanently stop recurring BV infections?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection, and there's no way to completely stop all infections. Still, you may be able to lower your risk of developing BV with good hygiene and taking care of your overall health. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you're experiencing any of the symptoms of BV.

How do you treat long lasting BV?

Can you still have BV after treatment?

Using oral or vaginal preparations of metronidazole and clindamycin, 80–90% of women will have an initial response to treatment but 15–30% will get a recurrence within 3 months. In women with recurrent BV the initial response rate appears to be lower.

Can BV stay forever?

Some women suffer from chronic (recurring) bacterial vaginosis. Medicine can clear up the infection, but it returns again after a few weeks. Some women report that bacterial vaginosis returns after their period each month. Or it can return after they have sex.

Can BV linger after antibiotics?

Symptoms may linger even after you are done with your antibiotics—it may take 2 weeks for symptoms to completely go away. If the BV comes back, you will need to take another course of antibiotics. If you get a BV infection several times a year, you may need to take a long-term course of antibiotics.

What STD does metronidazole treat?

Trichomoniasis is usually treated quickly and easily with antibiotics. Most people are prescribed an antibiotic called metronidazole, which is very effective if taken correctly. You'll usually have to take metronidazole twice a day, for 5 to 7 days. Sometimes this antibiotic can be prescribed in a single, larger dose.

What should I avoid while taking metronidazole?

You should not drink alcoholic beverages or take other alcohol-containing preparations while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 days after stopping it. If you have trichomoniasis: Using this medicine while you are pregnant (especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy) can harm your unborn baby.

What foods to avoid while taking metronidazole?

Alcohol, avocados, bananas, chocolate, salami

Do not mix these items with drugs such as metronidazole (Flagyl) and linezolid (Zyvox), used to treat bacterial infections.

Why do I have permanent BV?

Causes. Although the exact cause of BV isn't clear, experts believe that sex is a contributing factor. Unprotected sex, sex with a new partner, and sex with multiple partners may alter the balance of bacteria in the vagina. Other practices, such as douching, may also increase your risk of BV.

What triggers chronic BV?

BV is a result of an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV.

What are the symptoms of chronic BV?

Bacterial vaginosis signs and symptoms may include: Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge. Foul-smelling "fishy" vaginal odor. Vaginal itching.

Why do I struggle with BV?

You can get BV without having sex, but BV is more common in women who are sexually active. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, as well as douching, can upset the balance of good and harmful bacteria in your vagina. This raises your risk of getting BV.

Can metronidazole be taken for 2 weeks?

The type of metronidazole your doctor prescribes, the dose and how long you need to take it for depends on the type of infection and how serious it is. Some infections can be treated with a single dose, while others may need a 2-week course. Children's doses are lower and depend on the age or weight of your child.

How long after taking metronidazole should I see results?

For some of the infections that metronidazole is used for, you may only begin to notice an improvement after a week. When using the cream or gel to treat rosacea, you may have to wait a few weeks before you see any improvement. It's very important that you keep taking metronidazole until you finish the course.