Livarol in pregnancy

Livarol is designed to treat fungal diseases. Its active ingredient is ketoconazole, the healing property of which is based on the detrimental effect on the fats of the fungal membranes and, as a result, inhibition of their development, and then death. Many women have experienced the unpleasant symptoms of thrush, the causative agents of which are fungi of the genus Candida. This microorganism is present in 80% of people, including on the epithelium in the vagina. Its own microflora is so balanced that it protects a woman from pathogenic microorganisms and does not cause her any harm. When the balance is disturbed, it begins to actively multiply, causing a disease such as candidiasis (popularly thrush). The impetus for its development in pregnant women is a change in hormonal levels. How to treat this category of women and is it possible to use Livarol suppositories during pregnancy?

Indications Livarol

Indications for the use of livarol are acute and chronic forms of candidiasis of the genital organs, prevention of mycoses due to weakened immunity after taking antibiotics. If thrush appeared during pregnancy, treatment is necessary, because it can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

Release form

Livarol is available in the form of ointments, tablets and vaginal torpedo-shaped suppositories. The drug is very toxic, so it is the suppositories that are used to treat thrush during pregnancy (with certain reservations), since suppositories act locally on the pathogens of the disease without harming the fetus. One suppository contains 400 mg of the main substance. Its weight is 2.9-3.15 g, the color is from white to marble.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacodynamics of the drug is based on the antifungal action of the active substance ketoconazole, one of the many synthetic second-generation antimycotics for local use. Its mechanism consists in disrupting the production of ergosterol, the main "building material" of the fungal cell membrane.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of livarol are determined by the pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole, which is an azole that is poorly absorbed when taken orally, so it is mainly used locally. When administered into the vagina, livarol has a low resorption capacity and practically does not penetrate into the bloodstream.

Dosing and administration

How to use Livarol suppositories during pregnancy? Livarol suppository is administered once a day at night. To do this, remove it from the package, lie on your back and insert it deep into the vagina. On average, the duration of treatment is 3-5 days.

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Use Livarol during pregnancy

Despite the fact that liverol is not contraindicated for use by pregnant women, its use is allowed only after the 12th week of pregnancy. Livarol is not prescribed during pregnancy in the 1st trimester. If the doctor still makes such a decision, it means that the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Self-medication enthusiasts need to know about this. In the second trimester of pregnancy, the drug is used to treat candidiasis, and in the third - not only for treatment, but also for prevention.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of Livarol include not only the first three months of pregnancy, but also the child’s age under 12 years and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Side effects Livarol

Side effects include irritation of the genitals: redness and swelling of the vaginal mucosa. Frequent urination is also possible. There have been cases of discharge after Livarol during pregnancy, pain during intercourse. The sexual partner may also feel a burning sensation in the penis. Some women have experienced blood-tinged discharge after using the drug. Can there be bleeding from Livarol during pregnancy? This is a reason to see a doctor, but this is possible if the vessels are located close to each other.

Overdose

If you follow the instructions, there will be no overdose, especially since no more than one percent of the active substance enters the blood.

Interactions with other drugs

There are no interactions with other drugs due to the poor absorption of livarol. Simultaneous use with other vaginal antifungal agents weakens the effect of the latter.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions include places at room temperature, away from heat sources.

Shelf life

The shelf life is no more than two years.

Reviews

Experts' reviews are unambiguous: the drug is a leader in the treatment of candidal infection of the genitals. The main arguments confirming this are: affordable price, effectiveness, a small percentage of women with side effects as a result of treatment. Clinical trials have confirmed: about 80% of patients were cured after 3 days of using Livarol suppositories, and after 5 days - up to 93%.

Most patients rated treatment with Livarol positively. Rare negative comments belong to people who experienced side effects in the form of itching, swelling and inflammation of the vagina.

Analogues

Livarol analogues are ketoconazole, dermazole, mikanisal, mycoket, perhotal, sebozol, fungavis, mikosaral. They have different manufacturers and different prices, but the same active ingredient. If one drug is not available in pharmacies, it can be replaced with another.

Livarol or pimafucin

Pimafucin is a broad-spectrum polyene antibiotic, its active ingredient is natamycin, the mechanism of action of which is different than that of ketoconazole. It binds to the sterols of the microorganism's cell membrane, increasing permeability and destroying it. The drug is safe to use. The side effects are the same as those of liverol. Only vaginal suppositories are used to treat thrush, although the drug is also available in the form of tablets and ointments. Clinical studies show that the effectiveness of pimafucin is slightly higher than livarol, but the price is also higher. It can be used at any stage of pregnancy, unlike livarol. The duration of treatment is from 3 to 6 days, the method of application is the same. In patient reviews, there is a statement that pimafucin did not bring recovery and only by resorting to livarol was it possible to get rid of thrush. In any case, livarol or pimafucin should be decided by a doctor. A pregnant woman should not put her unborn child at risk and take medications on her own.

Terzhinan or Livarol

Terzhinan is another effective remedy for vaginal infection. The clinical effectiveness of the drug is based on well-chosen components that complement each other's action. It is an antiseptic, an antibiotic, and an antifungal drug. It is available in tablets for vaginal use. For the safety of the expectant mother and fetus, treatment is carried out locally using vaginal suppositories. Before use, the tablet is dipped in water for half a minute, after insertion into the vagina in a lying position, it is not recommended to get up for 10-15 minutes. The procedure should be done before bedtime once a day. The average duration of therapy is 10 days, but can be extended to 20 days. In rare cases, local irritation may occur: burning and redness, in those prone to allergies - its manifestations. Compared with Livarol, the advantages of the latter include a shorter treatment period, the absence of prednisolone in the composition - a hormonal agent, a more convenient form to use. Terzhinan or Livarol - leave the choice to the doctor.