From the Guidelines
No, clindamycin gel does not treat trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, and it requires specific antiprotozoal medications for effective treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines 1, the recommended treatment for trichomoniasis is metronidazole, which has resulted in cure rates of approximately 90%--95%. Topically applied antimicrobials, such as metronidazole gel, are less efficacious for treatment of trichomoniasis, with cure rates of less than 50%. Clindamycin gel is an antibiotic primarily used to treat bacterial vaginosis and certain skin infections, but it is not effective against parasitic infections like trichomoniasis. Some key points to consider when treating trichomoniasis include:
- The importance of proper diagnosis through testing
- The need for simultaneous treatment of sexual partners to prevent reinfection
- Abstaining from sexual activity until both you and your partner(s) complete treatment and symptoms resolve
- The use of oral metronidazole or tinidazole as first-line treatments, rather than topical antimicrobials like clindamycin gel 1.
From the Research
Treatment of Trichomoniasis
- Trichomoniasis is a common non-viral sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis 2.
- The most effective treatment for trichomoniasis is metronidazole, which can be administered orally or intravaginally 3, 4.
Clindamycin Gel
- Clindamycin gel is not a recommended treatment for trichomoniasis 4, 2.
- Clindamycin cream is an alternative treatment for bacterial vaginosis, but not for trichomoniasis 2.
- There is no evidence to suggest that clindamycin gel is effective in treating trichomoniasis 3, 4, 5, 6.
Alternative Treatments
- Metronidazole is the first-line treatment for trichomoniasis, and it can be administered orally or intravaginally 3, 4.
- Tinidazole is another effective treatment for trichomoniasis, and it can be administered orally 5.
- Other alternative treatments, such as disulfiram and nithiamide, may be useful in treating individuals with hypersensitivity to 5-nitroimidazole drugs or those with highly resistant T vaginalis infections 6.