Should I stop my antibiotic (doxycin/metronidazole) if I have side effects or symptoms of vaginitis?

Question

I am taking antibiotics (Doxycin 100mg / apo-metronidazole) to treat a chlamydia and an infection. Since I started taking the medication, I have started to have burning and redness in my vulva. Should I stop taking my medication because it is becoming unbearable? Otherwise, I have a prescription for vaginitis, should I take it? .

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Taking antibiotics can lead to vaginitis since you destroy the bacterial flora that normally protects against the development of infections. The symptoms you describe (redness, burning) may be a sign of vaginitis. You may want to try the treatment you have been prescribed to see if your symptoms improve. However, vaginitis symptoms are normally quite tolerable (even if they are very uncomfortable!) So, if you find that your symptoms get worse despite taking the vaginitis treatment and it becomes painful , I would recommend that you see your doctor again. You should also see your doctor if the redness spreads to areas other than the vulva or if you start to develop new symptoms (colored or smelly vaginal discharge, stomach pain, ulcers, fever). These symptoms would possibly indicate the presence of another bacteria other than chlamydia or a progression of chlamydia. For now, the treatment for vaginitis seems quite appropriate to me! You can continue to take your antibiotics as prescribed (until the treatment is complete) and keep an eye out for other symptoms in the coming days. Happy day 🙂 Stéphanie Potash, pharmacy student (under the supervision of Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist) .