Frequently Asked Questions about Prevegyne®. and Bacterial Vaginosis

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Where can we get Prevegyne®?

Prevegyne® is now available at your pharmacy counter, with or without prescription. When prescribed, this product may be eligible to a potential reimbursement by private insurance plans. Check with your insurance. Print this pdf list of wholesalers distributing Prevegyne™ to pharmacies and bring it to your pharmacist; it will help him/her order Prevegyne® for you if it is currently out of stock.

Can oral vitamin C tablets be used vaginally to treat Bacterial Vaginosis?

No, it is not recommended to insert oral vitamin C tablets into the vagina. Oral tablets are designed to dissolve in stomach and are not formulated to be used vaginally. Prevegyne® is a vitamin C formulation that is specifically designed to be administered vaginally; it releases the vitamin C over hours to allow a prolonged action while preventing vaginal irritation.

How does Prevegyne® treat Bacterial Vaginosis?

The vaginal flora normally contains "good" bacteria and fewer "undesirable" bacteria. When the vaginal pH is at its normal level (between 3.8 and 4.0), a healthy balance is achieved between all these bacteria that coexist to prevent infections. Bacterial Vaginosis occurs when this healthy balance between the "good" bacteria (Lactobacilli) and the "bad" bacteria (Gardnerella) becomes disrupted due to various external risk factors. When the number of "good", protective bacteria decreases, "bad" bacteria take over, leading to Bacterial Vaginosis infection.

Prevegyne® vaginal tablets helps to control bacterial vaginosis symptoms by acidifying the vaginal milieu to restore the physiological pH level and the balance of the vaginal flora.  .

I think I have a vaginal infection but I am not sure if it is Bacterial Vaginosis. Can I use Prevegyne®?

If you are uncertain of the type of infection you have, it is recommended to consult your doctor or healthcare professional. Your doctor will help you determine the cause of your symptoms, rule out any serious conditions and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Can I take usual vitamin C oral tablets to treat Bacterial Vaginosis?

It is not advised to treat Bacterial Vaginosis with oral vitamin C tablets. There is no published evidence on the efficacy and safety of taking vitamin C orally for the treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis.

Should I speak with my doctor before I start using Prevegyne®?

Although Prevegyne® is a natural health product which is available without prescription at your pharmacy counter, there are situations where it is advised that you consult your doctor or healthcare professional before taking this product:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• if you are unsure whether you have a bacterial vaginosis infection, a vaginal infection due to Candida (yeast infection) or another medical condition
• if you are suffering from a vaginal infection due to Candida
• if you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners)
• if you are suffering from hemolytic anemia (premature destruction of red blood cells)
• if your symptoms relapse after six (6) days of treatment

When in doubt, it is advised that you consult your doctor or healthcare professional before taking Prevegyne®.

I have Bacterial Vaginosis and my doctor prescribed an oral antibiotic. Can I use Prevegyne® vaginally at the same time as the oral antibiotic?

You should follow your doctor's recommendation whenever you are prescribed medication. No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted with the concurrent use of intravaginal vitamin C (Prevegyne®) and oral antibiotics for the treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis. It is unlikely to be a concern as it has been established that vaginally applied vitamin C does not enter the systemic circulation in significant amounts.

How often and for how long can I use Prevegyne®?

The recommended standard dosage of Prevegyne® is one vaginal tablet of 250 mg per day (at bedtime). A six-day treatment cycle is recommended in case of mild to moderate bacterial infection to restore the physiological pH and the normal vaginal flora.  If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.

If I inadvertently swallow a Prevegyne® tablet, is it harmful?

If you have accidently swallowed a Prevegyne®. tablet, we recommend that you contact your regional poison control centre to discuss your specific situation. Prevegyne®. tablets are intended for vaginal use only. This product should be kept out of reach of children.

The Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres can help you find the phone number of a poison control centre in your area: www.capcc.ca/provcentres/centres.html.

Complete list of Prevegynev ingredients.

Are there any side effects associated with the use of Prevegyne®?

The most common side effects associated with Prevegyne®. are vaginal itching or burning. Other reactions may include vaginal discharge, dry vagina, rest of medicament in vagina and sleeplessness. For any unexpected side effects while taking Prevegyne®., it is recommended that you contact your doctor or healthcare professional. To report an adverse reaction experienced while taking Prevegyne® or for any questions related to the safety of this product, patients and healthcare professionals may contact Duchesnay's Medical Information toll-free number at 1 888 666-0611 or e-mail.

I forgot to insert my Prevegyne®. vaginal tablet at bedtime, last night. Can I insert the missed tablet this morning instead?

Yes. In general it is recommended that a missed tablet be inserted as soon as possible. Your regular schedule can be resumed the following day. It is important that one (1) Prevegyne®. vaginal tablet be inserted daily or within a 24-hour period. Therefore, you should not double the dose nor insert two (2) tablets at once to catch-up. It is important that you complete the treatment consisting of a total of six (6) tablets.

Can I use Prevegyne®. when I have my period?

There is no contraindication on the use of this product during menstruation. However, on heavier flow days, a certain amount of the product may be lost through menstrual bleeding which may reduce the effectiveness of the product during that specific time.

Can I insert Prevegyne®. vaginal tablets in the morning instead of at bedtime?

We do not have any data suggesting that Prevegyne®. tablets would be less safe or effective when inserted in the morning. However, women are advised to insert the tablets at bedtime to increase contact time with the vaginal mucosa and minimize the chances of the tablets being displaced.

Can I use half a tablet of Prevegyne™ for 12 days instead?

Prevegyne™ tablets should not be crushed or split. Prevegyne®. tablets are a special vaginal formulation capable of slowly releasing moderate amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) over several hours to allow an efficient action while at the same time preventing vaginal irritation.

Will I take too much vitamin C if I am using Prevegyne®.?

Each Prevegyne™ tablet contains 250 mg of vitamin C. Prevegyne®. is specifically formulated for vaginal use. It has been established that vaginally applied vitamin C does not enter the systemic circulation in significant amounts. In doubt, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor or healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your daily intake of vitamins.

Does Prevegyne®. contain any allergens?

Prevegyne®. does not contain ethanol, gluten, sulfite, or tartrazine.

Each Prevegyne®. tablet contains 250 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as an active ingredient and the following non medicinal ingredients: silicone resin, lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and magnesium stearate. Patients who are hypersensitive to ascorbic acid or to any ingredient in the formulation should not use Prevegyne®..

You may contact Duchesnay's Medical Information toll-free number at 1 888 666-0611 or e-mail if you want to confirm whether Prevegyne®. contains a specific ingredient/allergen.

My doctor confirmed I have BV and recommended I take Prevegyne®.. Can I have sexual intercourse during my treatment with Prevegyne®.?

Unless your doctor specifically recommended that you do not have sexual intercourse, there is no indication that sexual activity should be avoided during treatment with Prevegyne®. However, if you experience discomfort or any other unusual symptom during or after sexual activity, please refer to your doctor.

Prevegyne®. tablets take time to completely dissolve and produce a local effect. Therefore, we would recommend that you wait for the tablet to completely dissolve, approximately 8 hours following tablet insertion, before having sexual intercourse. This will ensure that the effectiveness of the tablet is optimized.

Is there any known interaction between Prevegyne®. and other products?

At the present time, no interactions between the intravaginal use of Prevegyne®. and other medications have been established. However, we do know that vitamin C, when taken orally, could reduce or enhance the effect of certain drugs. Therefore, if you are taking any medications (whether prescription or over-the-counter, including vitamins and natural/herbal products) and would like to use Prevegyne®., we would recommend that you discuss the concurrent use, possible interactions, and their respective dosage schedules with your doctor or healthcare professional.

How and where should I store Prevegyne®.?

Prevegyne®. should be stored in a dry place at room temperature and kept out of reach of children.