BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS - A COMPARATIVE, DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY OF CLINDAMYCIN VAGINAL CREAM VERSUS ORAL METRONIDAZOLE

Eighty-two women with symptomatic bacterial vaginosis received either 500 mg of oral metronidazole twice a day for 7 days (n = 41) or 2% clindamycin vaginal cream once a day for 7 days (n = 41) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients were examined at follow-up visits 4 to 13 days and 20 to 43 days after completion of the therapy. The overall result of the treatment indicated that clindamycin vaginal cream is as effective as oral metronidazole. The cure/improvement percentages were 86% for the clindamycin group and 82% for the metronidazole group, with no significant differences between groups. No relapses were observed in either treatment group. The failure percentage was higher in the metronidazole group (19%) than in the clindamycin group (14%), but the difference was not significant. Both drugs were well tolerated. The most frequently reported side effects were vulvovaginal irritation and vaginitis or cervicitis. We conclude that 2% clindamycin vaginal cream is an effective and safe alternative to oral metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.