BV Tablets
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Antibiotic Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis
£17.99
If you’ve been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (also known as BV), the good news is that it’s now possible to get treatment quickly and discreetly online. The Independent Pharmacy provides a safe and easy way to buy bacterial vaginosis medicine online at a competitive price. Simply start our quick free online consultation to order your BV tablets directly from our UK-based pharmacy today.
A week-long course of BV tablets is the first-line remedy for women with uncomplicated Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). When taken twice daily at a dose of 400mg for one week, they can clear up most cases of BV quickly and effectively. BV tablets are a prescription-only medicine, meaning you will have to complete our brief online consultation before purchasing. This will allow us to ensure it’s the right treatment for you.
Who Is BV Tablets Suitable For?
Suitable for pregnancy?No
Suitable for breastfeeding?No
Maximum per order:2
Consultation required?Yes
Generic Treatment?Yes
BV tablets Summary
BV tablets - Important Information
How does BV tablets work?
Bacterial vaginosis is thought to be caused by a change in the natural balance of bacteria that live in the vagina. Because BV tablets has antibiotic properties, it helps to kill excess bacteria and return the balance to normal, reducing the symptoms.
BV tablets can be used to treat a number of different bacterial infections, though we only prescribe it to treat Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) in women. It is an effective BV treatment that can typically clear symptoms in two to three days and should be taken for the full on- week course.
To learn more about BV tablets, visit our “What is BV tablets?” page.
Buying BV tablets online
BV tablets is suitable to buy online if you have previously suffered from bacterial vaginosis before that has been diagnosed and successfully treated by your GP.
You may qualify for BV treatment online if you have:
- Developed vaginal symptoms such as a fishy odour and a thin discharge
- Had bacterial vaginosis diagnosed by your doctor
- Had a positive home test for bacterial vaginosis
- Had positive results using BV tablets prescribed for bacterial vaginosis
If you have not suffered from BV before, your symptoms are not typical of BV, or you have had a negative test result, you should see your GP or visit a local sexual health clinic for further investigation.
If you are not sure whether your symptoms are caused by bacterial vaginosis, you can use a Canestest Home Kit to check. Vaginal discharge and odour can be caused by a number of different bacterial infections, including STIs, so it's important to make sure you correctly identify your condition: only then can you find the right treatment.
Treating recurrent BV with BV tablets
BV tablets tablets can also be used to treat recurrent bacterial vaginosis. It is not uncommon for BV to return within three months of first treatment. As long as the first course of BV tablets was successful and your symptoms are the same as they were before you completed that course, you’re safe to use BV tablets again.
If you have BV more than twice in 6 months or 4 times in 12 months, you should consult a GP or sexual health clinic.
Can I use BV tablets to treat thrush?
A yeast infection is not the same as BV. Although both infections can cause similar symptoms, their causes are distinct. A yeast infection (such as thrush) is caused by a fungus overgrowth, whereas BV is caused by bacterial overgrowth. Thrush doesn’t tend to have a fishy odour like BV, but it does produce a distinct discharge that is similar to cottage cheese in appearance.
Thrush can be treated with oral capsules or alternative treatments such as a pessary and cream combo.
Alternatives to BV tablets
BV tablets is the only oral option for treating bacterial vaginosis, but there are other treatments available:
- Balance Activ BV gel is a non-prescription alternative to treat BV. It helps to lower the pH of the vagina, making conditions more favourable for the regular bacteria that normally live in the vagina to flourish. It can be used alongside BV tablets
How to take BV tablets to treat BV
Take 1 oral tablet twice daily for 7 days. BV tablets should be taken with or after food.
Always ensure that you complete the course, even if you think your symptoms have improved. This will help to prevent the infection coming back.
You should avoid alcohol while taking BV tablets and for at least 48 hours after your course has finished. Alcohol can cause a serious interaction with BV tablets that results in nausea and vomiting.
BV tablets can interact with alcohol - you should avoid alcohol while you are taking BV tablets and for 24 hours after you have completed the course. You can read more about BV tablets and alcohol here.
How can BV be prevented?
BV can affect women of any age, but it is more common in sexually active women during their reproductive years. It is not, however, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Finding the right treatment, such as BV tablets, will help clear up symptoms, but there are also things you can do to prevent BV from recurring.
You can lower your risk of contracting BV by:
- Always using condoms when sleeping with multiple sexual partners
- Avoiding using fragranced products in and around your vagina as this can cause irritation. Water is enough to keep your vagina’s bacteria well balanced.
- Always wiping front to back after using the toilet
- Wearing breathable underwear
- Including probiotics in your diet
Preventative measures can stop BV from recurring, but if your symptoms are already present then a course of medication will be most effective.
Not everyone who uses BV tablets will experience side effects, but some will. Side effects are less likely when using a low dose (such as the dose for bacterial vaginosis) and when using it with or after food.
Side effects of unknown frequency:
- Numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the arms or legs
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth
- A furred tongue
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- An upset stomach
- Diarrhoea
- Appetite loss
- Fever
- Feeling depressed
- Pain in your eyes (optic neuritis)
Rare side effects:
- Anaphylactic reactions
- Abnormal laboratory test results
- Blood and bone marrow problems (these may be fatal)
- Brain and central nervous system problems (including neurological problems): seek medical advice if you have symptoms such as fever, paralysis, photosensitivity, balance or coordination problems, a stiff neck, tremors, or epileptic seizures
- Convulsions
- Double vision
- Eye or eyesight problems
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling drowsy
- Flushing
- Headaches
- Itching
- Jaundice
- Joint pain
- Liver problems
- Muscle pain or tenderness
- Myopia
- Pancreatitis
- Psychotic problems including confusion and hallucinations
- Skin problems
- Skin rash
- Urine colour changes
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact your doctor for further advice.
You can find out more about your chances of experiencing any of the above in our in-depth guide to BV tablets side effects. If you suffer a severe allergic reaction (if you’re having difficult breathing, for example), you should go to your local A&E department.
BV Tablets reviews
BV Tablets FAQs
How many Metronidazole tablets do I need to take to treat Bacterial Vaginosis?
Take 1 tablet twice a day for 7 days and ensure you complete the course. You will need 14 Metronidazole 400mg tablets in total for a full course of treatment.
Do I take the Metronidazole tablets with or after food?
Metronidazole tablets can be taken with or without food. Some people feel sick or may be sick (vomit) when they take Metronidazole. If this happens, you should try to take the tablets with or after food. A metallic taste is a common side-effect when taking Metronidazole.
Can I take Metronidazole and drink alcohol?
Do not drink any alcohol while taking Metronidazole.This is a well documented interaction that can cause vomiting, flushing or an increased heart rate. This advice also applies to items that contain alcohol like mouthwash. Allow 2 days for any trace of the antibiotic to clear out of your system before consuming any alcohol or alcohol containing products.
My symptoms have got better but haven't cleared completely. What do I do now?
Some women may require an additional course of Metronidazole should the initial course be unsuccessful. This is quite normal. If you need another course of treatment, it is important to check if the initial course was taken correctly as this will influence the choice of the second course of treatment.
Will BV antibiotics interfere with my contraceptive pill?
It was previously recommended that if you were taking antibiotics, that you use another form of contraception whilst taking the course and for 7 days after finishing. This advice has now been changed. Metronidazole, used to treat Bacterial Vaginosis, does not affect the contraceptive pill and no additional or precautionary contraceptive methods are necessary whilst treating BV.
Can I have sex whilst I am receiving treatment for BV?
It is best to avoid sex until you have finished your course of treatment and your infection has completely cleared up. This is to avoid upsetting the pH balance in the vagina and worsening symptoms during treatment.
What should I do if I forget to take a Metronidazole tablet?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next tablet. Do not take two tablets to make up the missed dose.
Will Metronidazole affect my period?
Since Metronidazole is only taken for a short amount of time, it should not have lasting or ongoing effects on your period.
Antibiotics can affect a woman’s period, as one of the effects can be a reduced amount of oestrogen – the hormone responsible for your menstrual cycle. This is because antibiotics are metabolized by the liver, which is also responsible for metabolizing oestrogen and progesterone. Some women may experience a period delay, or your ovulation may occur later than normal.
What happens if Bacterial Vaginosis goes untreated?
While unpleasant, BV does not usually cause other health problems to occur. But if it is left untreated, you may be vulnerable to an increased risk of STIs, such as herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Untreated BV can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, where the uterus or fallopian tubes become infected. For this reason, it’s best to treat the symptoms as soon as they’re diagnosed.
Does Metronidazole have side effects?
Metronidazole tablets (or capsules) can have some side effects. The most common may include headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea, heartburn, constipation, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Metronidazole is a commonly used medicine and most people have no problems taking it for a week course.
Which is better: Metronidazole gel or tablets?
Metronidazole cream or gel (known as Zidoval) is an effective treatment for BV that is applied inside the vagina at bedtime for a five-day period. The alternative is, of course, to take Metronidazole is tablet form. Both have similar results, though it’s thought that the vaginal treatment may exhibit fewer side effects but can be less desirable to use than tablets.
What is the right dose of Metronidazole to treat BV?
The Independent Pharmacy sells Metronidazole 400mg tablets, which are taken twice daily, bringing the dosage to 800mg daily in divided doses. This should be taken as a seven day course, which should always be completed even if your symptoms improve.
Why is Metronidazole contraindicated in alcoholic patients?
When taken together with alcohol, Metronidazole tablets can produce a severe and unpleasant reaction, such as vomiting, increased heartbeat, skin redness, nausea and tingling. Therefore, it is not recommended for individuals with alcohol problems. This is the reason why you need to abstain from alcohol for the duration of your treatment and for 24 hours after your last tablet.
Where to buy Metronidazole over the counter
As an antibiotic, Metronidazole tablets are available by prescription only. This can be supplied by your doctor, or through The Independent Pharmacy following an online consultation.
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