YourYeastInfection.com

All About Male and Female Yeast Infections

Over-The-Counter Yeast Infection Treatments

Antifungal medications for vaginal yeast infections can be purchased without a prescription.

An over-the-counter treatment will usually include an antifungal cream or suppository containing Miconazole, Tioconazole, Butoconazole, or Clotrimazole. The product may also include an anti-itch cream to help reduce discomfort until the infection has cleared up.

Monistat® is probably the most easily recognized brand. These products usually work within a week.

If you have chronic yeast infections and use Monistat or any other anti-fungal medication quite often, your resident population of yeast may adapt and become drug-resistant. If you notice that the medication is not working as effectively as it once did, you may need a prescription for something stronger.

Other brands of antifungal medications for vaginal infections include:

• FemCare®
• Femizol-M®
• Femstat 3®
• Gyne-Lotrimin®
• Miconazole-7®
• Mycelex-7®
• Terazol 3® Vagistat-1®

Over-the-counter medications should never be purchased or used in the following circumstances unless you’ve talked to your doctor first:

• If you have allergies to any anti-fungal medications, or if you have experienced allergies to foods, preservatives, or dyes.
• If you’re pregnant. It is not yet known if antifungal medications are safe during the first trimester. Even during the second and third trimesters, you should check with your doctor, because you may have a bacterial infection that needs immediate treatment with a prescription medication.
• While breast-feeding. The medications may be passed through the mother’s milk to the baby, although more studies are needed to know for sure. It’s always better to play it safe.
• Children under age 12. The OTC medications for vaginal yeast infections have been studied only on adult patients, and their safety for children is not yet known.
• Older adults, for the same reason. No studies have been done to assess the safety of these medications in seniors.
• When using other medications. Interactions can occur, so you should talk to your doctor, and tell her which medications you are already taking.

To learn more about how to treat yeast infections, please see the following articles:

• Treating Yeast Infections - Introduction
• Natural Home Yeast Infection Remedies You Should Use With Caution
• Using "Systemic Yeast Infection" Remedies for Vaginal and Male Yeast Infections
• Garlic for Yeast Infections
• Using Honey to Treat Yeast Infections
• Common Treatments for Male Yeast Infections, Diaper Rash and Skin Infections Caused by Candida Yeast
• Natural Remedies for Yeast Infections
• Prescription Yeast Infection Medications
• Treating Yeast Infections - Why Topical Treatments Are Bes
• Common Treatments for Oral Yeast Infections - Thrush
• Apple Cider Vinegar for Yeast Infections
• Using Yogurt for Yeast Infections

Important: The information presented on this page and other pages on this site is based upon the opinions of the author, and on the author's interpretation of published reports and articles. It is not intended to replace your relationship with a qualified health care professional, and is not intended as medical advice. 

The author encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon knowledge of the issues of nutrition and health, and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Article Menu: