What is butoconazole nitrate?
Butoconazole nitrate is an antifungal prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, which is an infection of the female vulva and vagina and is a type of mucocutaneous candidiasis.
Mucocutaneous candidiasis is a fungal infection that is caused by Candida yeasts and affects the skin and mucus membranes (such as in the mouth or vagina). Mucocutaneous candidiasis (also called mucosal candidiasis) is an opportunistic infection. An opportunistic infection is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as those infected with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems.
The Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents, prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include recommendations on the HIV-related use of butoconazole nitrate to treat uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis.
What should I tell my health care provider before taking butoconazole nitrate?
Before taking butoconazole nitrate, tell your health care provider:
- If you are allergic to butoconazole nitrate or any other medicines.
- About any medical conditions you have or have had, for example, diabetes or liver problems.
- About anything that could affect your ability to take medicines, such as difficulty swallowing or remembering to take pills.
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Whether butoconazole nitrate can harm an unborn baby is unknown. Butoconazole nitrate should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV.
- About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between butoconazole nitrate and the other medicines you take.
Ask your health care provider about possible side effects from butoconazole nitrate. Your health care provider will tell you what to do if you have side effects.
How should I take butoconazole nitrate?
Take butoconazole nitrate according to your health care provider’s instructions. Your health care provider will tell you how much butoconazole nitrate to take and when to take it. Before you start butoconazole nitrate and each time you get a refill, read any printed information that comes with your medicine.
How should butoconazole nitrate be stored?
- Store butoconazole nitrate cream at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Avoid heat above 86°F (30°C).
- Safely throw away butoconazole nitrate that is no longer needed or expired (out of date).
- Keep butoconazole nitrate and all medicines out of reach of children.
Where can I find more information about butoconazole nitrate?
More information about butoconazole nitrate is available:
Last Reviewed: November 14, 2012
Last Updated: November 14, 2012