Zidoval Vaginal Gel 0.75%

What is Zidoval Vaginal Gel?

Zidoval is a gel used to treat bacterial vaginosis or BV, it contains the active ingredient Metronidazole which is an antibiotic and the gel is applied inside the vagina to destroy the bacteria at the site of infection. It is applied for 5 days and will usually successfully treat BV without the side effects of oral antiobiotics.

How to buy Zidoval Vaginal Gel online

You can use our online prescription service to buy Zidoval BV Gel online in the UK. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK with free delivery and next day delivery available. Any website that claims to sell this medication without a prescription is operating illegally and you could be purchasing counterfeit / fake medicine.
Upon completion of your order, our independent prescriber will then review your online assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then receive a prescription and dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.

How it works

Zidoval Vaginal Gel contains the active ingredient Metronidazole which is an antibiotic particularly effective against anaerobic bacteria. It can be used for many different types of infections one of those being bacterial vaginosis (BV).
It is important to complete the course as stopping early may result in the infection coming back.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common problem faced by many women. BV is caused by an upset to the natural balance of bacteria that is found in the vagina and is common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. It is important to note BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but left untreated it can increase the risk of getting an STI and if you are pregnant there is a small chance it can cause premature birth or even miscarriage.
It's common for BV to keep coming back, with 50-80% of women who have BV, having another bout of BV at least once within the following 12 months. If it is constantly recurring you may need a doctor to take a swab of your vaginal discharge. If you have a copper coil for contraception they may suggest removing it, to see if this helps. If you have a same-sex partner they may also need treatment even if they have no symptoms. Recurring BV can be successfully treated with Zidoval BV gel.
BV can be treated with oral antiobiotics or vaginal gels, it is important to complete the course to prevent antiobiotic resistance and make sure all of the bacteria responsible for BV is gone, which can help prevent recurrance.
BV is commonly confused with thrush so it is important to know what to look for, bacterial vaginosis will usually have a thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge and fishy smell compared to thrush which has a thick, white, curd-like discharge and no smell.

How do I know if I have BV or Thrush?

The usual symptoms of BV are:

• Possible fishy smell
• Thin, watery, possibly greyish white discharge or abnormally large amount of discharge
• Occasional discomfort

The usual symptoms of Thrush are:

• No smell
• Thick, white, curd-like discharge
• Intense itching or even a burning sensation
• Redness and irritation of the skin around the vulva

It should also be noted that half of women with bacterial vaginosis do not have any symptoms.
If you suspect you have thrush visit our thrush treatment page for treatment options here

BV prevention

To help prevent BV you can:

1. Only use mild nondeodrant soaps and unscented tampons or pads.
2. Don't douche as this can upset the natural balance of bacteria
3. Take showers instead of baths
4. Use condoms when having sex
5. Avoid the use of scented soaps, bubble baths etc
6. Wear more loose fitting underwear and clothes
7. Avoid using sex toys
8. Do not wash your vagina too often, once a day is usually enough

Changing the above can help prevent BV and prevent recurring BV.

How to use Zidoval Gel

The usual dose for Zidoval gel is 5g inserted daily usually as night.
Before applying Zidoval gel:

• Wash your hands before opening the tube or touching the applicators
• Make sure you are using a fresh applicator for each dose
• Throw away the applicator after you have used it

Applying Zidoval gel

• Pierce the tube open with the opposite end of the cap and then screw the open end of an applicator onto the tube. Gently squeeze the tube and slowly to fill the applicator. The plunger will move as the applicator fills and will stop when it reaches the required dose (5g). Then remove the applicator and replace the cap on the tube.
• Hold the filled applicator and gently insert the applicator into the vaginal as far as it will comfortably go. Laying on your back with your knees bent may make this easier.
• Begin to slowly push the plunger down to release to the gel into your vagina. Continue pressings until the plunger stops, when it stops it will have released the correct amount of gel. You can then remove the applicator and throw it away.

Repeat this process until the course is complete usually 5 days. If after 5 days your symptoms persist, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not use more gel than you have been prescribed, if you miss a dose do not double up instead carry on as normal the next day.

Zidoval and alcohol

Alcohol and Metronidazole should be avoided as it can make you feel or be sick, confused, cause headache or have an abnormally fast heart beat. There is a lesser chance of this happening using Zidoval gel but it is still recommended you avoid alcohol up to 24 hours after the course has finished.

Zidoval and pregnancy

It is important to treat BV if you are pregnant to prevent complications with the pregnancy. It is unlikely for Zidoval or Metronidazole to cause any harm to your baby, but these treatments will need to be done under the supervision of a doctor or midwife due to a lack of studies in the area.

Zidoval vaginal gel and breastfeeding

It is ok to use Zidoval gel while breastfeeding, as it is a vaginal gel little to none of the active ingredient Metronidazole will pass through breast milk. When using the vaginal gel make sure you clean your hands before touching your baby. If while using it you notice your baby is unusually tired, irritable, develops oral thrush or not feeding well contact your GP, midwife or health visitor.

Zidoval side effects

As with any medication you take, there is a possibility of side effects occurring. The most common side effects of Zidoval include:

1. Headaches
2. Dizziness
3. Stomach cramps
4. Vomiting
5. Unpleasant taste in your mouth
6. Vaginal candidiasis (thrush)

If you would like to see a full list of side effect please refer to the SPC below or refer to the patient information leaflet.

Who cannot use Zidoval

Do not use Zidoval to treat BV if you have previously had a reaction to Metronidazole, any other nitroimidazoles or any other ingredients in Zidoval.

Zidoval interactions

This medication may interact with the folllowing medicines:

1. Coumarins (warfarin)
2. Lithium
3. Cyclosporin
4. 5-Fluorouracil

It is unlikely to interact with the above due to the low blood concentration of Metronidazole when used as a topical gel, but it cannot be ruled out, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

Zidoval BV gel ingredients

Active Ingredients: Metronidazole.
Other ingredients: Carbomer 974P, disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, purified water.

Other bacterial vaginosis treatments

Other BV treatments include Metronidazole tablets, clindamycin or Balance active BV gel.

More Zidoval gel information

If you would like more information, you can find the SPC here.

Zidoval BV Gel FAQs

• How do I use Zidoval to get the best results?

  If possible you should try to find the cause of your BV, make sure you are not using perfumed soaps or bathing products, do not douche or wash your vagina too often, wear looser fitting clothes and underwear, use condoms when having sex, take showers instead of baths and if prescribed antibiotics make sure you complete the course even if the symptoms go away before the course has ended. Taking these steps can prevent recurrance, although it may still recur and need another course.

• Will Zidoval gel work?

  Zidoval has proven to be very effective at treating BV in 91% of women receiving a 5 day course.

• How long does it take for Zidoval gel to work?

  It will usually begin working after 2-3 days of starting treatment.

• Can I use Zidoval gel while pregnant?

  Only use Zidoval gel under the supervision of a doctor while pregnant.

• Can I use Zidoval gel while breastfeeding?

  Yes, you can use Zidoval BV gel while breastfeeding, as only a tiny amount is likely to pass into breast milk. If you notice your baby is unusually tired, irritable or not feeding as well as usual contact your GP, midwife or health visitor.

• Can I buy Zidoval (Metronidazole) gel over the counter?

  No Zidoval gel needs to be prescribed by a prescriber, it cannot be bought over the counter.

• Is it safe to buy Zidoval gel from your pharmacy?

  We are a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered pharmacy and we source all our pharmaceutical products from reputable wholesalers, the same wholesalers that provide the medicines used to fill NHS prescriptions.
  If you buy them from an unregistered pharmacy you may be wasting your money at best or at worse harm yourself buying and taking fake tablets. Always check to make sure where you are buying them from are registered with the GPhC.

• Do Zidoval gel expire?

  Yes, like most medicines they has a shelf life and will become less effective if it is left unused. Always check the expiry date of any medicines you are taking before you take them. If you find your medication has expired, you can post them to us, bring them to us or take them to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.

• How should I store Zidoval gel?

  Store this medication in a dry area below 25°C and keep out of direct sunlight. Storing any medicine incorrectly could result in the medicine becoming less effective.

• What is maximum time I can use Zidoval gel?

  If your symptoms have not improved after 5 days use, contact your doctor as you may need swabs of your vaginal discharge taken to make sure it is BV you are suffering from.

• Can I drink alcohol while using Zidoval vaginal gel?

  It is best to avoid alcohol while using the gel and for 24 hours after you have finished the course as it can make you feel or be sick, confused, cause headaches or have an abnormally fast heart beat.

• What does Zidoval gel contain?

  Active Ingredients: Metronidazole.
  Other ingredients: Carbomer 974P, disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, purified water.

• Who shouldn't use Zidoval gel?

  Do not use this medication if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.