Efficacy of clindamycin vaginal ovule (3-day treatment) vs. clindamycin vaginal cream (7-day treatment) in bacterial vaginosis.

Author(s): Sobel J, Peipert JF, McGregor JA, Livengood C, Martin M, Robbins J, Wajszczuk CP

Affiliation(s): Division of Infectious Diseases, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, MI 48201, USA.

Publication date & source: 2001, Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol., 9(1):9-15.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a 3-day regimen of clindamycin vaginal ovules with a 7-day regimen of clindamycin vaginal cream for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). METHODS: Women with a clinical diagnosis of BV were treated with a 3-day course of clindamycin ovules or a 7-day course of clindamycin cream administered intravaginally. Three hundred and eighty-four patients received study drug and were included in the evaluable patient population (ovule group, n = 204; cream group, n = 180). Assessments included pelvic examination and diagnostic testing. Primary efficacy endpoints were a resolution of two of three diagnostic criteria at the first follow-up visit and three of three diagnostic criteria at the second. RESULTS: Cure rates in the evaluable patient population were similar between treatment groups: 53.7% (109/204) for the ovule group and 47.8% (85/180) for the cream group (p = 0.2471, 95% CI -4.1-16.0%). The most commonly reported medical event, vulvovaginal pruritus, had similar incidence in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: A 3-day course of clindamycin vaginal ovules is as effective and well-tolerated as a 7-day course of clindamycin vaginal cream in the treatment of BV.