Treating Vaginal Trichomoniasis with Metronidazole

Abstract

Metronidazole (Flagyl), an investigational drug, was administered by mouth to more than 300 patients with trichomoniasis. At least 203 of these patients were cured by a single course of treatment, the drug being administered as one 250-mg tablet with each of three meals daily for 10 days. At this dosage, no adverse neurological reactions were observed; urinary complications, including the urinary pigmentation reported by others, did not occur in this series, and the only hematological effects were transient changes in the white blood cell counts. Of 21 patients who were not cured by the first course, 11 were cured by a second and 5 by a third course; 5 remained carriers and, though free from symptoms, were kept under observation. The authors advise against use of the drug during pregnancy and against treatment of the husband unless an examination indicates the need for therapy.