Gentian violet (Vaginal)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 11, 2022.
Uses for gentian violet
Vaginal gentian violet is used to treat fungus (yeast) infections.
Vaginal gentian violet was available only with your doctor's prescription.
Key Pharmaceuticals discontinued Genapax® on October 3, 1990 .
Before using gentian violet
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For gentian violet, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gentian violet or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Studies on gentian violet have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of vaginal gentian violet in children with use in other age groups.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of vaginal gentian violet in the elderly with use in other age groups, gentian violet is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Proper use of gentian violet
Gentian violet usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using gentian violet.
After insertion, remove the tampon from the vagina after 3 to 4 hours unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep using gentian violet for the full time of treatment, even though your condition may have improved. Do not miss any doses.
While you are using gentian violet tampons, the use of regular (non-medicated) tampons is not recommended. They will soak up the medicine that stays in the vagina after the gentian violet tampon is taken out. During your menstrual period you should wear a minipad or sanitary napkin instead.
Dosing
The dose of gentian violet will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of gentian violet. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medici...
