Trichomoniasis

Medications

Trichomoniasis (trich) is usually treated with a medicine called metronidazole. The cure rate in treating trich using metronidazole is 90% to 95%.⁷ Tinidazole has been shown to be this useful too.

Medication Choices

Antiprotozoals, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, are medicines that kill the tiny parasite that causes trich.

What To Think About

Trich during pregnancy raises the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and premature delivery. Treating the infection does not appear to reduce this risk.² If you are pregnant and have trich, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of treatment.

Metronidazole vaginal suppositories or creams are not recommended because oral metronidazole is much more effective. Vaginal medicines are not effective in treating trich in areas other than the vagina and cervix. Vaginal medicines cure trich in less than 50% of cases.

Metronidazole vaginal gel, which is used to treat bacterial vaginosis, is not recommended for treatment of trich.⁷

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Author:	Amy Fackler, MA Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: August 10, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
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