Citric Acid/lactic Acid/potassium Bitartrate Topical Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 4, 2025.

Applies to citric acid/lactic acid/potassium bitartrate topical: vaginal gel/jelly.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects.

Although you are using this medicine to prevent pregnancy, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, call your doctor right away. Tell your doctor if you recently had a baby, miscarriage, or abortion.

This medicine may cause urinary tract infections, including cystitis (bladder infection) or pyelonephritis (kidney infection), which can be serious. Check with your doctor right away if you have difficult, burning, or painful urination, cloudy urine, or lower back or side pain.

This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.

You may use another form of birth control (eg, condom, diaphragm) for added protection against pregnancy. You may also use this medicine with other products for vaginal infections (eg, metronidazole, miconazole, or tioconazole).

No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Birth control methods such as having surgery to become sterile or not having sex are more effective than vaginal systems. Discuss your options for birth control with your doctor.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, citric acid/lactic acid/potassium bitartrate topical may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking citric acid/lactic acid/potassium bitartrate topical:

More common—male partners

• burning, itching, pain, or other discomfort in the genital area

Other side effects

Some side effects of citric acid/lactic acid/potassium bitartrate topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to citric acid/lactic acid/potassium bitartrate topical: vaginal gel.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were vulvovaginal burning sensation and vulvovaginal pruritus; most adverse reactions were mild.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Suspected drug hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Vulvovaginal burning sensation (18%), vulvovaginal pruritus (14.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Vulvovaginal mycotic infection, urinary tract infection, vulvovaginal discomfort, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal discharge, genital discomfort, dysuria, vulvovaginal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cystitis/pyelonephritis/other upper urinary tract infection

Reactions in male partners:

• Common (1% to 10%): Local discomfort (burning, itching, pain, other)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Citric acid/lactic acid/potassium bitartrate topical side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer