Dalacin 2% Cream 40g

Bacterial Vaginosis Doctor Service

Dalacin Cream is a vaginal cream. It contains clindamycin phosphate which is an antibiotic. It is used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (a bacterial infection of the vagina). This cream works by killing many kinds of bacteria that cause infections. This cream by applying inside the vagina destroys the bacteria at the site of the infection. 

Dalacin Cream Is Not Recommended For Use In Children

Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and so can also affect women who aren't sexually active. BV can, however, be triggered by sex and can increase the risk of contracting an STI.

Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition, which affects many women.

What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition, which affects many women. Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in your vagina is disturbed. Numerous types of bacteria naturally occur in the vagina without being harmful or causing symptoms. If numbers of certain bacteria increase or decrease, this balance is disrupted, which can lead to bacterial vaginosis.

BV is not dangerous. In fact, many women have it without noticing any symptoms. You only need to get treated if you are experiencing symptoms. In many cases, BV heals by itself as the natural balance in your vagina is restored.

Bacterial vaginosis can lead to complications during pregnancy. It is important that you get tested and treated if you are pregnant and experiencing BV symptoms.

How Do I know If I Have Bacterial Vaginosis?

If you have had bacterial vaginosis before, you will most likely be familiar with the symptoms.

However, there are a number of conditions which cause very similar symptoms. Many sexually transmitted infections, for example gonorrhea and chlamydia, also cause discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is also easily confused with thrush (also known as yeast infection).

If you notice discharge and have had unprotected sex with a new partner in the past months, you need to get an STI test to make sure you have not been infected with an STI.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as an itch or pain while urinating, then your symptoms are not caused by bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is not commonly associated with itching, pain or irritation.

If you are unsure as to what is causing your symptoms you can visit your GP for a test. Your GP will collect a sample of the discharge to confirm the diagnosis.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis?

• A white or grey discharge with a 'fishy' smell
• Discharge that's thin or watery
• Usually there's no redness or soreness with BV. Half of women with BV don’t have any symptoms.

The bacteria which cause BV do not cause any symptoms in men. Men do not need to worry about BV, even if their partner has it.

A good self care guide and information for bacterial vaginosis is available on the NHS website.

NHS - Bacterial vaginosis

Is Bacterial vaginosis a sexually transmitted disease?

Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection, although it causes very similar symptoms as some of the most common STIs. If you have had unprotected sex and think you have BV, you should get tested for STIs to ensure you get the correct treatment.

Although BV is not a sexually transmitted disease, having sex without a condom and having sex with multiple partners increases your risk of BV. If you repeatedly suffer from bacterial vaginosis you may find it helpful to use a condom during sex to avoid recurrent bouts.

What are the risk factors for getting BV?

• Vaginal douching
• STIs
• Being sexually active
• Having a new partner
• A copper intrauterine contraceptive device (known as an IUD)
• Bubble baths
• Smoking.

How can I help prevent BV?

If you're getting BV often, see if the following things help to avoid another episode. Otherwise, speak to your GP who'll be able to make sure that you're not getting symptoms from something other than BV.

• Using condoms can help protect against BV
• Avoid using vaginal deodorants, perfumed soaps or douches
• Use water and plain soap to wash your genital area
• Take a shower instead of baths
• Don't smoke.

Like all medicines Dalacin Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor immediately if you:

• Develop severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea (which may be associated with stomach pain or fever). This is an uncommon side effect which may occur after treatment with antibiotics and can be a sign of serious bowel inflammation.
• Experience an allergic reaction or skin reaction such as hives or a measles-like rash. These are very rare side effects.

Very common side effects (affecting more than 1 in every 10 patients):

• Inflammation of the cervix.

Common side effects (affecting less than 1 in every 10 patients):

• Vaginal thrush
• Infection or inflammation of the vulva and vagina
• Itching
• Vaginal disorder, vaginal discomfort, vaginal discharge
• Stomach cramps.

Uncommon (affecting less than 1 in every 100 patients)

• Inflammation of the vagina
• Vaginal infection, urinary tract infection
• Yeast infection (body)
• Fungal infection
• Allergic reactions
• Headache, dizziness
• A sensation of whirling and loss of balance, nosebleed
• Bad breath, diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, change of sense of taste
• Constipation, stomach ache
• Upset stomach or indigestion
• Passing wind
• Rash, reddening of the skin, hives
• Painful urination, excess of sugar in the urine, protein in the urine
• Vaginal pain.

For a full list of side effects, read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before using any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Patient Information Leaflet Dalacin 2% Cream 40g

Dalacin Cream is not recommended for use in children.

Other medicines and Dalacin Cream

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken or might take any other medicines. Dalacin Cream may affect other medicines taken at the same time. Tell your doctor if you are taking erythromycin (an antibiotic) or have recently taken any other medicines including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you will be breast-feeding while using Dalacin Cream as the active substance in this medicine may be passed into breast milk. Your doctor will decide if Dalacin Cream is suitable for you. Although it is not likely that a nursing infant will take in very much of the active substance from the milk it drinks, if your baby gets blood stained diarrhoea or shows any signs of illness, tell your doctor at once. You should stop breast-feeding if this happens.

Driving and using machines

No effects on the ability to drive or use machines have been seen with Dalacin Cream.

How to store Dalacin cream

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

• Do not store above 25ºC. Do not freeze.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the tube and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

Before using any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Dalacin 2% Cream is for vaginal use only.

Always use this medicine exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Before you apply Dalacin cream

Good hygiene whilst using Dalacin cream is very important.

Always:

• Wash your hands before opening the tube or touching the applicators.
• Use a fresh applicator for each dose.
• Immediately throw away each used applicator in the waste bin.

Directions:

Disposable (throw away) applicators are provided with Dalacin cream to help you put the gel into your vagina.

The usual dose is one applicator full (approx 5 grams), which should be placed into the vagina each night at bedtime for seven consecutive nights. Your doctor may recommend a shorter, three day course of treatment depending on your symptoms.

1. Opening the tube: Remove the cap from the tube. Screw one of the disposable plastic applicators supplied on to the tube where the cap has been removed.

2. Filling the applicator: Holding the tube from the bottom, squeeze gently and force the cream into the applicator. When the plunger stops moving, the applicator is full. Unscrew the applicator and replace the cap on the tube.

3. Inserting the applicator: Lie on your back, firmly grasp the applicator barrel, and insert gently into the vagina as far as possible without causing discomfort. You may find this is easiest to do whilst laying on your back with your knees bent.

4. Releasing the gel: Still holding the barrel, slowly push the plunger until it stops and all the cream has been expelled.  Carefully withdraw the applicator and dispose of it. It is preferable to wrap it in paper before disposal in a waste container. Do not try to flush it down the toilet.

5. Wash your hands well after applying the cream.

Repeat this procedure using a fresh applicator at bedtime for 7 consecutive days, or as directed by your doctor. If after using the full 7-day course of Dalacin cream you don‘t feel better, you should see your doctor again.

If you use more Dalacin Cream than you should

Tell your doctor. Do not use any more cream until your doctor tells you to.

If you swallow Dalacin Cream

If you or somebody else swallows some Dalacin Cream contact your doctor. The cream is not likely to cause any harm but your doctor will be able to give you advice on what to do.

If you forget to use Dalacin Cream

If the forgotten dose is just a few hours late, use it straight away. If it is nearly time for your next application, miss out the forgotten one. Do the next application at the normal time. Do not use double the amount but carry on using your Cream at the usual times.

If you stop using Dalacin Cream

Sometimes you may feel better after only a few days of treatment. Even if you do feel better, do not stop using the cream until you have completed the full course of treatment.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Dalacin cream:

if you have diarrhoea or usually get diarrhoea when you take antibiotics. If you develop severe, prolonged or bloody diarrhoea during or after using Dalacin cream, tell your doctor immediately since it may be necessary to interrupt the treatment. This may be a sign of bowel inflammation (pseudomembranous colitis) which can occur following treatment with antibiotics.

• As with all vaginal infections, sexual intercourse during treatment with Dalacin Cream is not recommended.
• Dalacin cream may weaken condoms and diaphragms. Do not rely on condoms or contraceptive diaphragms when using this medicine.
• The use of other vaginal products such as tampons or douches (vaginal washes) during treatment with the cream is not recommended.

Dalacin cream is not recommended for use in children.

Ingredients:

Each gram of cream contains clindamycin phosphate as an active substance, equivalent to 20 mg or 2.0% w/w clindamycin. Each applicator full of 5 grams of vaginal cream contains approximately 100 mg of clindamycin phosphate.

Dalacin Cream contains propylene glycol, cetostearyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol.

This medicine contains250 mg propylene glycol in each 5 g applicator which is equivalent to 50 mg/g.

This medicine contains 160.5 mg cetostearyl alcohol in each 5 g applicator, which is equivalent to 32.1 mg/g.

• Cetostearyl alcohol may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

This medicine contains 50 mg of benzyl alcohol in each 5 g applicator which is equivalent to 10 mg/g.

• Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation.

List of excipients:

• Benzyl alcohol (E1519)
• Cetyl palmitate
• Stearic acid
• Polysorbate 60
• Sorbitan stearate
• Propylene glycol (E1520)
• Cetostearyl alcohol
• Liquid paraffin
• Water.