Daktarin Oral Gel

What is Daktarin Oral Gel and what is it used for?

Daktarin 2% Oral Gel is a sugar-free formula, containing the active ingredient miconazole, used to treat fungal infections of the mouth and throat, most commonly known as oral thrush.

Daktarin is a very effective treatment for oral thrush but is also gentle and easy to use, making it a suitable treatment for both children and adults from the age of 4 months.

What is oral thrush?

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that affects the mouth and throat. It is caused by a yeast called Candida and although it is normally harmless it can cause the mouth to become very uncomfortable and sore.

Oral thrush most commonly affects babies, and older people that wear dentures, you are also more at risk of developing oral thrush if you have been taking antibiotics over a long time, you use inhalers to treat asthma or are receiving chemotherapy.

For more information about signs and symptoms as well as guidance on how to reduce the risk of developing oral thrush, see our Advice for Oral Thrush page.

Daktarin Oral Gel for mouth ulcers

You should not use Daktarin Oral Gel to treat mouth ulcers. Daktarin should only be used to treat infections caused by fungal infections.

Mouth ulcers are most commonly caused by trauma to the inside of your mouth such as when you bite your lip or burn your mouth when eating food. For guidance on mouth ulcers, please see our information page.

If you are frequently suffering from mouth ulcers, they last for more than 3 weeks or have become red and inflamed you should speak to a doctor for advice.

Daktarin Oral Gel for babies

Daktarin Oral Gel is suitable for the treatment of oral thrush in babies over 4 months of age without a prescription.

If your baby is suffering from oral thrush and is under 4 months old you should speak to your Health Visitor or Doctor for advice around treatment options.

How does Daktarin Oral Gel work?

Daktarin Oral Gel contains the anti-fungal component, miconazole which works by targeting fungi and creating an environment that prevents them from being able to grow and reproduce. This process causes the fungal cells to die.

Daktarin Oral Gel, therefore, clears up the infection which causes oral thrush leaving your mouth feeling soothed and more comfortable.

How long does Daktarin Oral Gel take to work?

Most people will start to see a reduction in the appearance of the infection inside their mouth and throat and begin to feel more comfortable within one day of using Daktarin Oral Gel.

It can take up to 7 days for symptoms of oral thrush to clear completely and the infection may still be present even after symptoms have cleared. You should, therefore, continue using Daktarin Oral Gel for a full 7 days even if your symptoms have cleared to avoid becoming reinfected.

Daktarin Oral Gel side effects

Daktarin Oral Gel, like most medicines, may cause some people to experience unwanted side effects. For more information about the most commonly reported side effects please see our Side Effects section on this page (anchor link).

Can I buy Daktarin Oral Gel over the counter?

You can buy Daktarin Oral Gel without a prescription as an over-the-counter treatment online from The Independent Pharmacy, for the use in children and adults over the age of 4 months.

Daktarin Oral Gel vs Nystatin

Nystatin, like Daktarin Oral Gel, is an anti-fungal medicine used for the effective treatment for oral thrush. Some people may choose to use Nystatin if they have found Daktarin Oral Gel ineffective or they are unable to use medicines containing miconazole.

Nystatin can be used to treat children and adults from 1 month of age but is only available on prescription from your doctor.

Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antifungal-medicines/
• https://patient.info/medicine/miconazole-for-oral-thrush-daktarin
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-ulcers/
• https://patient.info/childrens-health/oral-thrush-in-babies
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oral-thrush-mouth-thrush/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-ulcers/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/nystatin/
• Daktarin Oral Gel Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6597/pil

Daktarin Oral Gel dosage

4 months - 2 years of age: Apply 1.25 ml gel (¼ measuring spoon) to the affected area 4 times a day after meals.

2 years and over: Apply 2.5 ml gel (½ measuring spoon) to the affected area 4 times a day after meals.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Daktarin Oral Gel for the full details on the directions for use.

Daktarin Oral Gel is for oral use only and can be used for children and adults over the age of 4 months. It should be used for 7 days even if oral thrush symptoms have cleared.

How to use Daktarin Oral Gel

• Wash hands before and after use.
• Apply correct dose (anchor link to dose) to a clean finger and rub the gel directly onto the affected area.
• Try to keep the gel in contact with the infection for as long as possible. Do this by avoiding swallowing it straight away.
• To prevent dentures from becoming infected, apply the gel directly to the dentures while they are removed overnight.
• For the treatment in children divide the dose into smaller portions and only apply to the front of their mouth.

Daktarin Oral Gel ingredients

Daktarin Sugar-Free 2% Oral Gel contains the active ingredient: Miconazole 20 mg.

Non-active ingredients: ethanol, polysorbate 20, sodium saccharin, cocoa flavour, orange flavour and glycerol.

For a full list of ingredients included in Daktarin Oral Gel, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

Daktarin Oral Gel side effects

The most commonly reported side effects associated with the use of Daktarin Oral Gel:

• Feeling or being sick and regurgitating swallowed food
• Dry mouth
• Mouth discomfort

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly for a full list of reported side effects.

Daktarin Oral Gel may cause some people to experience side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are usually mild and improve once you have stopped using Daktarin Oral Gel.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction as a result of using Daktarin Oral Gel you must seek immediate medical attention from your nearest Emergency Department.

If you are worried about side effects or they do not improve once you have stopped using Daktarin Oral Gel you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Daktarin Oral Gel warnings

For a full list of warnings and precautions associated with the use of Daktarin Oral Gel please read the Patient Information Leaflet carefully.

• Before using Daktarin Oral Gel you must check with a doctor or pharmacist if you currently take or have recently stopped taking any other medication.
• Do not use Daktarin Oral Gel if you suffer from liver dysfunction.
• Avoid using this gel until you discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if take the following medication: some drugs that lower your cholesterol, such as, lovastatin and simvastatin, triazolam and midazolam (taken by mouth) or antihistamine or hay fever product containing mizolastine or astemizole, terfenadine or if you are taking cisapride (used to treat some digestive conditions) or medication used to treat irregular heart beat rhythms such as dofetilide and quinidine or medication that is taken for insomnia or anxiety such as tranquillizers or pimozide for treating psychotic disorders.

Daktarin Oral Gel infants and children

Daktarin Oral Gel has a sticky texture. You must therefore take extra care, applying the gel only to the front of the mouth, when using this product to treat young children making sure that the gel does not cause them to choke.

If you are unsure whether Daktarin Oral Gel is right for you and your child, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Daktarin Oral Gel & pregnancy

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice before using Daktarin Oral Gel.

If you are breastfeeding and your baby is suffering from oral thrush, the gel must be applied to the baby's mouth and not to your nipple.