Miconazole mouth gel

• The dose of miconazole mouth gel is different for different people and depends on your age. 
  • Babies 6 months to 2 years: 1.25 mL (quarter of the measuring spoon provided) 4 times a day smeared around the inside of their mouth after feeds.
  • Children older than 2 years and adults: 2.5 mL (half of the measuring spoon provided) in their mouth after food 4 times a day.
• Note: A measuring spoon (5 mL) is provided with the gel. 
• Continue using miconazole mouth gel for at least 1 week after the thrush has cleared. This will help to clear up your infection completely.
• Always use miconazole mouth gel exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Your doctor may prescribe miconazole mouth gel for use in babies younger than 6 months but to avoid the risk of choking, don't apply the gel near the back of your baby's throat and keep a check on your baby for a short while after the gel has been applied.
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're not sure how to use it.

• Measure the dose: Use the measuring spoon provided with the gel to measure the right amount of dose. After use, wash the measuring spoon in warm water and allow to dry (do not boil).
• Hold the gel in your mouth before swallowing. Using a finger, smear the measured amount of the gel onto the affected areas of your mouth. Miconazole mouth gel is sticky. Allow it to remain on the areas for as long as possible before you swallow. Ideally, you should not eat or drink for about 30 minutes after using the gel, as this helps to prevent the medicine from being washed away too soon. If the infection has spread down your throat, your doctor may ask you to swallow the gel like a medicine rather than apply it to your mouth.
• For babies and younger children: Apply the gel a little at a time after a feed or a meal. To avoid the risk of choking, do not apply the gel near the back of your child's throat and keep a check on your child for a short while after the gel has been applied.
• Timing: Use miconazole mouth gel 4 times a day after food, or after a feed in babies. Try to space the doses evenly throughout the day, such as the first thing in the morning, early afternoon, late afternoon and at bedtime.   
• Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to the time you would normally take your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Miconazole mouth gel may interact with a few medicines, such as warfarin. If you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines that you can buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting miconazole mouth gel and before starting any new medicines.

While using miconazole mouth gel to treat thrush, it's important to prevent re-infection. Here are a few tips:

Babies: Sterilise all feeding equipment, dummies and toys that have been in contact with your baby’s mouth.
Breastfeeding: Check if you have a yeast infection on your nipples. Miconazole mouth gel may be applied to your nipple to treat the infection, but wipe off the gel before breastfeeding. 
Dentures: If you are using dentures, apply some miconazole mouth gel directly to your dentures in the evening and leave overnight. 
Using a steroid inhaler: If you are using a steroid inhaler, thrush is a common side effect. To prevent infection, try using a spacer to reduce the impact of particles in your mouth, and rinse your mouth with water or clean your teeth after using your inhaler.

Side effects with miconazole mouth gel are very rare. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine. Miconazole mouth gel can cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), stomach upset or diarrhoea (runny poo). These side effects usually settle after a few days but tell your doctor if troublesome.

Tell your doctor immediately or phone Healthline 0800 611 116 if you develops sign and symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, swelling of your lips, face and mouth, or difficulty breathing.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.