A randomized trial of intravaginal nonoxynol 9 versus oral metronidazole in the treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000 May;182(5):1008-10. doi: 10.1067/mob.2000.105388.

Abstract

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of nonoxynol 9 suppositories in the treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis.

Study design: In this prospective comparison trial 46 women with documented motile trichomonads found on a wet preparation were randomly assigned to one of two treatment arms: (1) a single oral dose of 2 g metronidazole and (2) a single 150-mg nonoxynol 9 suppository placed intravaginally for 3 consecutive nights. Cure was determined by a repeated wet preparation examination. After its first year, the study was terminated because of the poor efficacy of the nonoxynol 9 suppositories.

Results: Results were available for 33 patients. Three of 17 patients treated with nonoxynol 9 had negative wet preparation results at retest (17.6% cure rate). All 16 patients treated with metronidazole had negative wet preparation results (100% cure rate). All women with nonoxynol 9 failures who were evaluated after treatment with 2 g metronidazole had negative wet preparation results.

Conclusion: Intravaginal nonoxynol 9 at the tested dose and by the tested method of delivery was not an effective cure for vaginal trichomoniasis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antitrichomonal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antitrichomonal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metronidazole / administration & dosage
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nonoxynol / administration & dosage
  • Nonoxynol / therapeutic use*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / drug therapy*
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / parasitology
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antitrichomonal Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Nonoxynol