From the Guidelines
MetroGel 0.75% gel is used for 5 days to treat vaginal infections, specifically bacterial vaginosis, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1. The standard regimen involves inserting one applicatorful (approximately 5 grams) intravaginally once daily, preferably at bedtime, for the full 5-day course.
- It's essential to complete the entire treatment even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication to ensure the infection is fully cleared.
- The gel works by killing susceptible bacteria that cause the infection.
- During treatment, patients should avoid consuming alcohol and should be advised to use condoms, as the treatment may weaken latex condoms and diaphragms 1. Some patients may experience side effects such as vaginal irritation, discharge, or a metallic taste in the mouth.
- If symptoms persist after completing treatment or worsen during use, patients should contact their healthcare provider as a different treatment approach may be needed. The recommended metronidazole regimens, including MetroGel 0.75%, are equally efficacious, and the vaginal clindamycin cream appears less efficacious than the metronidazole regimens 1.
From the Research
Treatment Duration of Metrogel 0.75% Gel for Vaginal Infection
- The treatment duration of Metrogel 0.75% gel for vaginal infection, specifically bacterial vaginosis, is typically 5 days 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The gel can be administered either once daily or twice daily for 5 days, with similar efficacy and safety profiles 3, 5.
- Some studies have reported cure rates at 7-12 days and 28-35 days after completion of therapy, indicating that the treatment duration may be followed by a period of evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the treatment 2, 3, 5.
- It is worth noting that the recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis after treatment with Metrogel 0.75% gel is around 15% at 1 month after treatment 2, and some studies have explored alternative treatments to improve long-term efficacy 6.
Administration and Efficacy
- The gel is administered intravaginally, with 5 grams of gel inserted twice daily for 5 days 2 or once daily for 5 days 3, 5.
- Clinical cure rates have been reported to be around 77-87% at the first return visit and 58-61% at the final visit, with intent-to-treat analysis showing cure rates of 53-62% at the final return visit 3, 5.
- The efficacy of Metrogel 0.75% gel has been compared to other treatments, such as oral metronidazole and clindamycin vaginal cream, with similar cure rates reported 4.