Miconazole - Benefits, dosage and side effects

Miconazole is an antifungal drug used to treat fungal infections of the skin, such as ringworm (tinea), water fleas, tinea versicolor, and candidiasis. In addition to fungal skin infections, miconazole is also used to treat fungal infections of the mouth, nails, or vagina

Miconazole works by damaging the structure of the fungal cell membrane, so that the cell membrane cannot function properly and causes fungal cells to lose potassium and other important compounds. That way, the growth of the fungus can be stopped.

Miconazole is effective for stopping the growth of several types of fungi, such as Candida spp., Microsporum spp., Epidermophyton spp., Trichophyton spp., and Pityrosporon orbiculare (Malassezia furfur).

Miconazole trademarks: Altadis, Benoson M, Daktarin, Dactazol, Eight-Eight, Fungares, Funtas, Harconazole, Kalpanax, Kanesol, Pi Kang Shuang Cream, Locoriz, Miconazole Nitrate, Micoskin, Mikazol, Mikoz, Moladerm, Mycorine, Mycozol, Vaslone, Zolacort, Zolagel

What is Miconazole

Class	Antifungal
Categories	Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Benefits	Treating fungal infections of the skin, mouth, nails, vagina, and digestive tract
Used by	Adults and children 2 years and over
Miconazole for pregnant and lactating women	Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether miconazole can be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first.
Medicine form	Ointment, powder, cream, gel

Warning Before Using Miconazole

There are several things you should pay attention to before using miconazole, namely:

• Do not use miconazole if you are allergic to this drug or to other antifungal drugs of the azole group, such as ketoconazole, clotrimazole, itraconazole, and econazole.
• Consult your doctor first if you have fever or abdominal pain, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, diabetes, or have an HIV/AIDS infection before using miconazole vaginally.
• Consult your doctor about the use of miconazole for children under 2 years of age.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including supplements and herbal products, to prevent drug interactions.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after taking miconazole.

Dosage and Rules for Use of Miconazole

Miconazole dosage is divided based on the condition being treated and the dosage form of the drug. The following are common doses of miconazole:

Condition: Mouth and throat candidiasis

Adults and children 2 years and over

• Gel containing 20 mg/g miconazole: Apply 2.5 ml, 4 times a day. Continue treatment for at least 1 week even after symptoms subside.

Condition: Intestinal candidiasis

Adult

• Gel containing 20 mg/g miconazole: Apply 20 mg/kgBB divided into 4 doses. The maximum dose is 1000 mg (40 ml) per day. Continue treatment for at least 1 week even after symptoms subside.

Condition: Fungal infection of the skin (tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, tinea versicolor, candidiasis)

Adults and children

• Cream, ointment, or powder containing 2% miconazole: Apply 2 times a day for 2–6 weeks. Continue to use the drug until 1 week after the complaint disappears.

Condition: Fungal nail infection

Adults and children

• Creams containing 2% miconazole: Apply the cream 1-2 times a day. Continue to use the drug until 10 days after the complaint disappears.

Condition: Vaginal yeast infection

Adult

• Creams containing 2% miconazole: Before going to bed, apply the cream once a day into the vagina for 10–14 days, or 2 times a day for 7 days.

How to Use Miconazole Correctly

Follow the doctor's advice and read the information on the miconazole package before using it. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.

If you are using miconazole for skin, wash and dry the infected skin area before using miconazole. Don't forget to wash your hands afterward. This is to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.

For miconazole used in the vagina, it is recommended to use the applicator that has been provided according to the instructions for use. Treatment with miconazole should be continued until it is finished, even if the itching and vaginal discharge have disappeared or you are having menstruation.

If you are using oral gel or oral gel to treat a yeast infection in the mouth, it is best not to eat or drink for 30 minutes after using it. This is done so that the drug can work optimally before being washed away by the food or drink that is consumed.

Use miconazole according to the time period recommended by the doctor. Usually this medication should be used for a few days after the symptoms subside. This is meant to prevent the infection from coming back.

Use miconazole regularly to get maximum results. It is recommended to take this medicine at the same time every day to make it easier to remember the schedule of use.

If you forget to use miconazole, it is recommended to use it immediately if the break with the next schedule of use is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.

Store miconazole in a dry and cool place, away from heat, humid conditions, and direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

Miconazole Interactions with Other Drugs and Ingredients

The following are some of the interactions that can occur when miconazole is used with certain drugs:

• Increased risk of fatal side effects when used with midazolam or statin cholesterol drugs, such as lovastatin and simvastatin
• Increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances when used with cisapride or terfenadine
• Increased risk of ergot poisoning (ergotism) and gangrene when used with ergot alkaloids, such as dihydroergotamine and ergotamine
• Increased risk of bleeding or bruising when used with warfarin
• Enhanced effect of alprazolam, carbamazepine, cilostazol, methylprednisolone, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, phenytoin, docetaxel, and calcium antagonist drugs
• Increased risk of hypoglycemia when used with sulfonylurea antidiabetics, such as glibenclamide

Side Effects and Dangers of Miconazole

Side effects that may occur after using miconazole on the skin are:

• Irritation
• Hide
• Hypopigmentation
• Skin blisters
• Skin feels hot or sore
• Swollen skin
• Skin peeling
• Contact dermatitis

For the use of miconazole in the mouth, some possible side effects that can occur are:

• Changes in taste on the tongue
• Dry mouth
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• heartburn

Meanwhile, the use of miconazole in the vagina can cause side effects, such as:

• Burning sensation in the vagina
• Itchiness
• Irritation of the vagina and skin around the vagina
• peeing more than usual
• Vomiting and diarrhea (if you use too much)

Consult your doctor if the above side effects do not subside immediately or get worse. See a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug, such as a rash, itching or swelling of the tongue, face, or throat, and shortness of breath.