Therapeutic indications

The drug is used for disinfection of the vaginal mucosa.

Neoxene® can be used in the case of:

• non-fungal infections of the vaginal mucosa.

As anticipated, the drug acts as a disinfectant of the vaginal mucosa, but  HAS NO  therapeutic action against infections of fungal origin such as Candida albicans .

Pharmaceutical forms and dosage

The following pharmaceutical forms of Neoxene® can be found on the market as they have the authorization of the Medicines Agency:

• Neoxene® 10 mg ovules in packs of 10 units.

Other than the aforementioned list, there are no other pharmaceutical forms available on the market in our country.

Mechanism of action

Neoxene®  is a disinfectant for gynecological use only which is used for the disinfection of the vaginal mucosa.

Chlorhexidine has a very broad spectrum of action on both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The active ingredient is, however, not very effective against some species of bacteria such as  Pseudomonas (causes internal and external infections) and  Proteus (infects the urinary tract).

The drug Neoxene® is not effective for fungal infections (therefore it is not suitable for the treatment of Candida albicans infections ) and does not counteract bacterial spores, viruses or stably acidic bacteria. Its antiseptic action is partially reduced by the presence of organic material such as whey.

More simply, the drug acts as a disinfectant of the vaginal mucosa, but fails to counteract fungal infections. For any doubts on the therapeutic action of the drug, it is advisable to ask your doctor for information.

Dosage and method of use

One  or two ovules a day are recommended  depending on the doctor’s indications and the severity of the infection. The egg must be inserted deeply into the vagina and it is advisable to wash your hands thoroughly both before and after using the drug. Care must be taken not to exceed the indicated doses. It is recommended not to use the drug for a period exceeding ten consecutive days.

If the disorder recurs cyclically or if you notice an aggravation or change in the characteristics of the infection, it is advisable to consult your doctor. It is advisable to insert the ovule in the evening  before going to bed to allow the drug to act undisturbed during the night. If you have any doubts about the use of the drug, it is advisable to seek the advice of your doctor. Do not modify or stop your therapy without first consulting your doctor.

Overdose

 No cases of undesirable effects due to overdose have yet been reported . The use of the active ingredient chlorhexidine does not cause hepatic or renal toxicity and the absorption of the drug through the skin is very limited and stops at the stratum corneum of the epidermis (ie the outermost layer of the skin).

For this reason, overdose effects are extremely rare. However, it is advisable to avoid exceeding the daily doses recommended by your doctor or pharmacist. If you forget to use your medicine do not use a double dose. If in any doubt, ask your doctor or trusted pharmacist for advice.

Contraindications

Neoxene® is not indicated if the patient suffers from known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient chlorhexidine, as well as to one or more of the excipients used in the formulation.

The other ingredients  of the medicine are:

• Purified water;
• Propyl parahydroxybenzoate;
• Glycerin;
• Ethylparahydroxybenzoato;
• Jelly;
• Patent Blue dye (E131).

If you have to take other medicines, especially if for topical use, during Neoxene® -based therapy, consult your doctor.

Precautions for use

The drug should not be used for treatments that require a prolonged period of time. After a short period of using the drug without any results appearing, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Accidentally swallowing or inhaling the drug can cause serious consequences that can even be fatal. The use, especially when prolonged, of products for topical use such as Neoxene® can cause sensitization phenomena. If they occur, it is advisable to interrupt the therapy and consult the doctor to study a new treatment with another drug or to adjust the daily doses.

The drug is only and exclusively for vaginal use and must never be ingested. It is advisable to wash your hands after application because in case of contact with the eyes or with some mucous membranes, the medicine could be irritating. If the drug should come into contact with eyes and non-vaginal mucous membranes, rinse immediately with plenty of water. The drug contains Propyl parahydroxybenzoate and Ethyl parahydroxybenzoate among the excipients for this reason it can be  irritating .

Always keep the medicine out of the reach of children and stored in areas that the little ones cannot reach. The drug must be stored in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat sources. The package must be kept intact and the drug must not be used after the expiry date stated on the package. It is advisable to read the leaflet inside the package carefully before starting to use the drug.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

During  pregnancy and breastfeeding  , seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before taking Neoxene® and before taking any other medicine. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the drugs must be used only in cases of strict necessity and only and only under the direct supervision of the doctor.

The drug should be used during pregnancy only after seeking medical advice and only after evaluating the benefit-risk ratio for each individual case. It is not known if the drug passes into milk, the absorption of the drug is minimal, but it is still recommended to avoid using the drug during the breastfeeding period without first consulting your doctor.

It is advisable to consult your doctor even if you suspect  pregnancy or if you wish to plan a pregnancy and you need to follow a therapy based on  Neoxene® . For any doubts about the administration of the drug, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is advisable to seek advice from a doctor and to avoid proceeding independently with the therapy.

Interaction with other drugs

There may be  interactions  between  chlorhexidine  and other active ingredients present in other drugs. Potential interactions should be taken into account before administering Neoxene®. You are advised to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

It is advisable to avoid using other antiseptics and cleansers together with the ovules as they could interfere with the action of the drug. Do not modify or stop your treatment without first asking your doctor for advice.

Side effects

It is possible that taking Neoxene® causes some important side effects which, if they occur, must necessarily be brought to the attention of the attending physician.

Among the possible side effects, the  common ones  (they occur in more than 1 in 100 cases) are:

• intolerance;
• burning;
• irritation.

These common side effects are usually harmless and do not last long after the therapy is stopped. In some  rare cases  , idiosyncrasy appeared (manifestation of allergic hypersensitivity to the substances contained in the drug). Should an allergic reaction occur, it is advisable to consult a doctor or the nearest hospital and interrupt the therapy.

The drug has no negative effects on the ability to drive or use work machines. If you have any doubts about the possible side effects of the drug, it is advisable to seek advice from a doctor.

Recipe, Dispensing System and Price

Neoxene® is classified as a  class C drug , for this reason the drug is the sole responsibility of the citizen and is not reimbursable by the National Health System. The drug can be purchased without a prescription, as it is a normal over-the-counter drug. There are currently no AIFA notes to report.

For the purchase of Neoxene® you will have to spend:

• Neoxene®, 10 mg, ovules, box of 10 vaginal ovules, price €14