Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate (Vaginal)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 27, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Phexxi

Available Dosage Forms:

Gel/Jelly

Therapeutic Class: Contraceptive, Local

Uses for lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate

Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate combination is used to prevent pregnancy. Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate is a gel that is inserted into the vagina through an applicator before any genital contact occurs or sexual intercourse begins. It works by lowering the pH and reducing the sperm movement in the vagina.

Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate

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 lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate 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

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate combination have not been performed in the pediatric population. However, pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate in teenagers are not expected. Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate may be used for birth control in teenage females but should not be used before the start of menstruation.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate combination in geriatric patients. Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate is not indicated for use in elderly women.

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.

Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate Vaginal