Evaluation of bacterial vaginosis therapy in pregnant women with vaginal tablets containing lactic acid complexed with eudragit® E-100 which undergo gelation at the site of application

Abstract

Background. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of pathological vaginal discharge in women. It is of special concern in pregnant women due to its confirmed association with premature delivery and premature escape of the amniotic fluid. Bacterial vaginosis is accompanied by increased pH in the vagina. The efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs restoring the physiological pH in the vagina depends largely on the duration of contact of the active substance with the vaginal mucosa. Due to their adhesive properties, gels based on hydrophilic polymers containing complexes of lactic acid meet the requirements and maintain normal pH. Objectives. Evaluating the effectiveness of treating bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women with vaginal tablets containing lactic acid complexed with Eudragit® E-100, which undergo gelation at the site of application. Material and Methods. Sixty pregnant women aged 18 to 33 years with a history of recurrent inflammatory conditions in the vagina were examined. The study group ultimately included 25 patients diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis without any accompanying vaginal conditions. The bacterial vaginosis patients were administered tablets on methylcellulose vehicle intravaginally. The vaginal tablets contained lactic acid complexed with Eudragit® E-100. Results. The gels obtained from the tablets revealed a wide range of pH. Tablets with adequate composition and pH can be selected depending on the severity of the inflammation. The tablets do not deform at room temperature, but they do at human body temperature and this allows maintaining a normal pH in the vagina for at least 8 hours, which significantly improves the bacterial condition in the vagina. Conclusions. Hydrophilic vaginal tablets containing lactic acid complexed with Eudragit® E-100 are useful in treating the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. © Copyright by Silesian Piasts University of Medicine in Wrocław.