Vablys: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is Vablys used for?

Vablys is used to treat an infection of the vagina, called bacterial vaginosis. It is used in adult women who are younger than 55 years of age.

How does Vablys work?

Vablys is inserted in the vagina. It is used to kill the bacteria that cause the infection.

What are the ingredients in Vablys?

Medicinal ingredient: dequalinium chloride

Non-medicinal ingredients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose.

Vablys comes in the following dosage forms:

As a 10 mg vaginal tablet.

Do not use Vablys if:

• You are allergic to dequalinium chloride or to any ingredient in Vablys.
• You have sores (ulcers) in your vagina.
• You have not had your first menstruation.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Vablys. Talk about your health situation or problems you may have, including if you:

• Are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding.
• Used Vablys in the past and did not respond to the treatment or if your infection reoccurred immediately after using Vablys.

Other warnings you should know about:

• Do not use products that go inside your vagina while you are using Vablys. These include: condoms, spermicides, soaps, vaginal douches (vaginal washes), diaphragms, tampons, menstrual cups or any other product that goes inside your vagina. These can make Vablys less effective.
• You should not use Vablys during your period. This is because bleeding can make Vablys less effective. Start your treatment with Vablys six days before your period starts. Or, wait until your period has stopped before starting Vablys. If you get your period while you are already taking Vablys, stop taking Vablys and start taking it again once your period has stopped.
• You should not have sex during treatment with Vablys.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

How to take Vablys:

• Always use Vablys exactly as your healthcare professional has told you to.
• Wash your hands before opening the blister pack and inserting Vablys.
• Insert one tablet into your vagina at bedtime.
• You should insert the tablet while lying down with your legs slightly bent. You can use the vaginal applicator included with Vablys or your index and/or middle finger. See the detailed instructions for using the applicator or using without applicator, below.
• If your vagina is dry, the vaginal tablet might not dissolve and may come out of your vagina intact (in once piece). In this case, moisten the tablet with a drop of water before inserting it into your vagina.
• If a tablet is accidentally split, insert both halves of the tablet one after the other or both at once, if possible. For your comfort, insert both halves by their rounded parts.
• Vablys contains ingredients that do not dissolve completely. You may find remains of a tablet in your underwear. The tablet will not change the colour of your underwear. For your own comfort, you may wish to use a sanitary napkin or panty liner.
• Use Vablys every night for 6 days in a row even if you are no longer feeling discomfort such as itching, discharge or smell. If you take Vablys for less than 6 days your infection might return.

Using the applicator:

• Make sure both pieces of the applicator have been cleaned using a fragrance-free soap, rinsed and dried with a clean cloth (Figure 1). To clean the applicator, pull apart inside and outside pieces. Once completely dry, gently push the inside piece into the outside piece of the applicator.
• Delicately remove one tablet from the blister pack.
• Gently pull back the inside piece of the applicator until you feel slight resistance. Place the tablet vertically in the top of the applicator (Figure 2). To prevent the tablet from falling, be sure that approximately 2/3 of the tablet fits within the top of applicator.
• In a lying position, gently insert the applicator into your vagina as far as it will comfortably go. This is to ensure that the tablet is inserted into your vagina well. Hold the applicator in place and gently push the inside piece of the applicator (Figure 3) to release the tablet into your vagina. Remove the applicator from your vagina.
• Wash your hands and clean both pieces of the applicator with warm water and fragrance-free soap after each use. Make sure to keep them clean until next use.
• The applicator is for personal use only. It should not be shared with others.
• Discard the applicator once you have completed your 6 day treatment with Vablys.

Without applicator:

• Delicately remove one tablet from the blister pack.
• In a lying position, insert one Vablys tablet into your vagina, as far as it will comfortably go using your index and/or middle finger. This is to ensure that the tablet is inserted into your vagina well.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after inserting a Vablys vaginal tablet.

Usual dose:

Insert one Vablys vaginal tablet into the vagina at bedtime for 6 days in a row.

Overdose:

Using a dose that is higher than the usual daily dose or for a longer treatment duration may cause vaginal sores (ulcers).

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, insert the missed dose the following day. Do not take two doses in one day to make up for a forgotten dose. Never insert more than one tablet a day. Continue using one tablet at bedtime until you have used all 6 tablets.

What are possible side effects from using Vablys?

Side effects may include:

• inflammation of your vulva or vagina
• vaginal discharge
• vaginal discomfort
• rash on your vulva or vagina
• burning sensation in your vulva or vagina
• vaginal dryness
• vaginal pain
• redness of the vulva or vagina
• headache
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• vomiting

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Vablys. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

Store at room temperature (15 to 30°C).

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about Vablys:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php; the manufacturer’s website www.duchesnay.com, or by calling 1-888-666-0611.

Last Revised September 1, 2021