What This Means For You

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)recently approvedVivjoa (oteseconazole), an antifungal medication used to reduce or eradicate chronic yeast infections.

It is the first and only FDA-approved medication for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC)—the medical term for chronic yeast infections.

Yeast Infections

The approval isbased on datafrom three Phase 3 trials, which included 875 people in 11 countries. In the first two trials, over 90% of women taking Vivjoa did not experience a yeast infection recurrence over the 48-week period, compared to roughly 60% of the placebo groups. During the third trial, which lasted 50 weeks, 89.7% of women avoided a recurrence.

Seventy-one of the participants took place in a48-week extension period, during which 85% of them continued to not experience yeast infections.

While the approval is novel, it’s not for everyone. The approval does not extend to anyone who is “of reproductive potential”—those who are pregnant or able to get pregnant.

What Is Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis?

RVVC is a worsening or relapsing vaginal fungal infection that occurs three or more times in one year, June Gupta, NP, Senior Director of Medical Services at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, told Verywell via email.

For less than 5% of people, those yeast infections will occur frequently enough to be deemed RVVC.

How Does It Work?

Gaither said that on its own, the medication should be taken orally for a total of 12 weeks. But if it’s taken with another antifungal medication likefluconazole, then the dosage lasts 14 weeks.

Who Can’t Take Vivjoa?

People who have a chance of getting pregnant can’t take Vivjoa because it can causeteratogenic effects: functional or physical defects in an embryo or fetus.

“This medication stays in your system for two years,”G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB-GYN Lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, told Verywell. “If you get pregnant with this chemical in your body, that will affect the developing fetus. [Vivjoa] is now strictly approved for menopausal women or women who have had a sterilization procedure.”

In addition, people with renal or liver issues should not take the medication.

Potential Side Effects of VivjoaNauseaHeadacheGastrointestinal issuesVaginal irritation or bleedingHot flashPainful urination

Potential Side Effects of Vivjoa

NauseaHeadacheGastrointestinal issuesVaginal irritation or bleedingHot flashPainful urination

Why FDA Approval Matters

Ruiz describes the drug’s approval as life-changing.

“If you are a woman with chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis and it doesn’t get better, it can be very uncomfortable because of the chronic itching and scratching,” he said. “Sometimes, an individual can scratch so much that the skin starts to break down. For women who are able to take this medication, it’s probably life-changing and a godsend.”

Although not all people who experience RVVC will be eligible for Vivjoa, Gupta said that “having more treatment options that can help people manage their sexual and reproductive health is a step in the right direction.”

What This Means For YouIf you experience chronic yeast infections, know that an effective new treatment is available. However, due to potential side effects, the eligibility requirements are currently quite strict.

If you experience chronic yeast infections, know that an effective new treatment is available. However, due to potential side effects, the eligibility requirements are currently quite strict.

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis.National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Vivjoa—oteseconazole capsule[drug label].

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis.National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Vivjoa—oteseconazole capsule[drug label].

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis.National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Vivjoa—oteseconazole capsule[drug label].

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis.

National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Vivjoa—oteseconazole capsule[drug label].

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?