Miconazole, sold under the brand name Monistat among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat ring worm, pityriasis versicolor, and yeast infections of the skin or vagina.It is applied to the skin or vagina as a cream or ointment.
Common side effects include itchiness or irritation of the area in which it was applied.Use in pregnancy is believed to be safe for the baby.Miconazole is in the imidazole family of medications. It works by decreasing the ability of fungi to make ergosterol, an important part of its cell membrane.
Miconazole is used to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections (candidiasis). This medication is also used to treat a skin condition known as pityriasis (tinea versicolor), a fungal infection that causes a lightening or darkening of the skin of the neck, chest, arms, or legs. Miconazole is an azole antifungal that works by preventing the growth of fungus.
