Monistat Products for Vaginal Yeast Infection

Written by Beth Johnston, BCPS, PharmD
Medically Reviewed by Laurel Riemann, PharmD on November 13, 2025

Many Monistat products are used to treat vaginal yeast infections. The active ingredient in most Monistat products is a medicine called miconazole, but tioconazole may be used instead. Both miconazole and tioconazole are antifungal medicines. They work by stopping the fungus (yeast) that is causing the infection.

There are Monistat products for adults and children as young as 12 years old.

Side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using. Some possible side effects include burning, itching, or irritation when you use it.

Since Monistat products may contain different active ingredients (listed below), review the ingredients in your specific product to understand which side effects you might experience.

Stop using the medicine if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.

Monistat products for yeast infections are for vaginal and external use only. You should not swallow any of these products.

Some Monistat products come with an itch relief cream for external use. These creams are not inserted into your vagina and cannot cure a vaginal yeast infection.

You will use the applicator that comes with your Monistat product to place the cream, ointment, ovule, or suppository into your vagina. If you will use a three-day or seven-day product, use a new applicator each day. This means that you will throw away the applicator after you use it to place the medicine into your vagina.

Check with your health care provider before using a Monistat product for a yeast infection if any of the following apply to you.

  • This is the first time you have vaginal itching or discomfort
  • You also have pain in your lower stomach area, back, or shoulders, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting or your vaginal discharge smells bad
  • You get frequent vaginal yeast infections (such as once a month or three infections in six months)
  • You have been exposed to HIV
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You take warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • You are peeing a lot or have an urgent need to pee or trouble peeing
  • You have diabetes

When you are using a Monistat product for a vaginal yeast infection, do not do any of the following.

  • Have vaginal intercourse
  • Use tampons, douches, spermicides, or other vaginal products

If you do have vaginal intercourse during or shortly after completing your treatment with a Monistat product, do not rely on either condoms or diaphragms. Monistat products are oil-based. This means that they may weaken latex condoms and diaphragms. Weakened condoms or diaphragms may not prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

Stop using your Monistat product for a vaginal yeast infection and contact your health care provider if any of the following apply to you.

  • Your symptoms are not improving within three days
  • Your symptoms last longer than seven days
  • You get pain in your lower stomach area, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or vaginal discharge that smells bad

There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Monistat product you are using. Always check the label before using any over-the-counter medicine. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.

You can choose the right Monistat product by considering four factors. 

  1. Cream, ointment, suppository, or ovule (insert) to place into your vagina with an applicator
  2. Availability of a cream for external use for vaginal itching
  3. Treatment length
  4. Miconazole or tioconazole

Maximum strength product 

  • These products only require one dose.
  • You may get some relief from symptoms in one day, but it may take up to seven days for complete relief.
Product  Characteristics
Monistat 1 Combination Pack
  • One ovule (miconazole 1200 mg)
  • For use during the day or at night
  • Comes with external vaginal cream (miconazole 2% )
Monistat 1
  • One prefilled applicator (tioconazole 6.5% ointment)
  • For bedtime use (recommended)

Regular strength product over three days

  • These products require three days of treatment (one dose each day).
  • Wearing a pad after use is recommended because the medicine may leak out of your vagina.
Product  Characteristics

Monistat 3 Combination Pack 

 

  • Three ovules (miconazole 200 mg each), suppositories (miconazole 200 mg each), or prefilled applicators (miconazole 4% cream) 
  • For bedtime use (recommended)
  • Comes with external vaginal cream (miconazole 2% )
Monistat 3 

 
  • Three prefilled applicators (micconazole 4% cream)
  • For bedtime use (recommended)

Low dose treatment over seven days

  • These products require seven days of treatment (one dose each day) and may be recommended if you are pregnant or have diabetes.
  • You must fill a disposable applicator with the supplied cream before each dose.
  • Wearing a pad after use is recommended because the medicine may leak out of your vagina.
Product  Characteristics

Monistat 7 Combination Pack 

 

  • Seven disposable applicators and a tube of miconazole 2% cream
  • For bedtime use (recommended)
  • Comes with external vaginal cream (miconazole 2% )
Monistat 7 

 
  • Seven disposable applicators and a tube of micconazole 2% cream
  • For bedtime use (recommended)