What is miconazole used for?
- Miconazole is used to treat fungal infections in the mouth.
Before taking miconazole, tell your doctor:
For all patients taking miconazole:
- If you are allergic to miconazole; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have a milk allergy.
Children:
- If the patient is a young child. Do not give miconazole to a young child. Talk with the doctor.
This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take miconazole with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take miconazole?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take miconazole. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
How is miconazole best taken?
Use miconazole as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
- Use in the morning after brushing teeth.
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Dry your hands and place the tablet in your mouth above the incisor tooth between the upper cheek and gum. Leave the tablet in place until it dissolves.
- Use your finger to put slight pressure on the outside of the upper lip to make the tablet stick to the gum. Hold the tablet in place for 30 seconds.
- Switch sides of your mouth each day when you place miconazole.
- Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Either side of tablet may be placed next to the gum, but the rounded side may feel better.
- You may eat and drink when using miconazole. Avoid doing things that may knock the tablet loose like chewing gum, touching the tablet, wearing upper dentures, and brushing your teeth.
- If the tablet does not stick to the gum or falls out within 6 hours, put the tablet back in.
- If you swallow the tablet within 6 hours, drink a glass of water and use a new tablet.
- If the tablet falls out or is swallowed after 6 hours, do not put back in until the next dose.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are the side effects of miconazole that I need to call my doctor about immediately?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Pain where it was placed.
- Swelling where miconazole is used.
What are some other side effects of miconazole?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Headache.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Stomach pain or diarrhea.
- Change in taste.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If overdose is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out miconazole?
- Store at room temperature.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer information use and disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about miconazole, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take miconazole or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to miconazole. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.
