Phexxi (lactic acid/citric acid/potassium bitartrate) is a prescription drug used to prevent pregnancy in people who can become pregnant. Phexxi can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include painful urination and vagin*l pain.
Specifically, Phexxi is used as a form of “on-demand” birth control. This means that you’ll only use Phexxi right before vagin*l sex. You won’t need to use Phexxi on a regular basis like certain other forms of birth control.
Phexxi is approved for use in people trying to prevent pregnancy. It can be used in children under the age of 18 years, but only if they’ve started their period.
Phexxi contains the active ingredients lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate. It comes as a vagin*l gel.
Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects this drug can cause. For a general overview of Phexxi gel, including information about Phexxi’s effectiveness and how to use it, see this article.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Phexxi treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:
- painful urination
- vagin*l pain
- vagin*l irritation*
- vagin*l discharge
- urinary tract infection (UTI)*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Mild side effects have been reported with Phexxi. These include:
- painful urination
- vagin*l pain
- vagin*l irritation*
- vagin*l discharge
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Phexxi unless your doctor recommends it.
Phexxi may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Serious side effects from this medication are possible but not common. Serious side effects reported with Phexxi include:
- UTI*
- fungal vagin*l infection*
- bacterial vagin*l infection
If you develop serious side effects while using Phexxi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Phexxi, visit MedWatch.
Allergic reactionFor some people, Phexxi can cause an allergic reaction.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep using Phexxi.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Phexxi, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Learn more about some of the side effects Phexxi may cause.
vagin*l irritation
vagin*l irritation was a common side effect reported in studies of Phexxi. vagin*l irritation may cause vagin*l symptoms such as:
- itching
- burning
- discomfort
What might help
In some cases, vagin*l itching or discomfort may also be symptoms of an allergic reaction. If you have vagin*l irritation while using Phexxi, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what’s causing your symptoms and the best way to manage them.
UTI
UTI was a common side effect reported in studies of Phexxi and may cause symptoms such as:
- cloudy urine
- pain or burning when urinating
- blood in your urine
What might help
If you have symptoms of a UTI while using Phexxi, talk with your doctor. They can test your urine and then prescribe antibiotics if you have a UTI.
Note that in some cases, symptoms of a UTI, such as painful urination, may also be side effects of Phexxi. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and the best way to treat them.
Fungal vagin*l infections
Fungal vagin*l infections were a common side effect reported in studies of Phexxi. An example of a fungal vagin*l infection is a vagin*l yeast infection. Fungal vagin*l infections may cause symptoms such as:
- vagin*l itching or burning
- unusual vagin*l discharge, which can be white and cottage cheese-like
- painful urination
What might help
Symptoms of a vagin*l yeast infection may be similar to side effects of Phexxi. Talk with your doctor if you have symptoms of a yeast infection while using this medication. They can help determine the cause. If you do have a vagin*l yeast infection, they can recommend treatment options, such as the over-the-counter medication miconazole (Monistat).
Keeping track of side effectsDuring your Phexxi treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of the drug you were using when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how your symptoms affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Phexxi affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Below is important information you should consider before using Phexxi.
Warnings
Phexxi can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Phexxi is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting this drug. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- urinary tract problems
- recurring UTIs
- bladder problems
- kidney problems
- previous allergic reaction to Phexxi
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Alcohol and Phexxi
There are no known interactions between alcohol and Phexxi. If you have questions about consuming alcohol while using Phexxi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Phexxi
Before starting Phexxi treatment, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed.
Pregnancy
Phexxi is used to prevent pregnancy, so there’s no reason to use this medication if you’re already pregnant. It’s not known whether Phexxi is safe to use during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
It isn’t known whether Phexxi is safe to use while breastfeeding. There’s currently no information about whether Phexxi passes into breastmilk or the effects it might have on a child who’s breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.
If you have other questions about how this drug works or would like to read Phexxi reviews, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the drug’s prescribing information or visit the manufacturer’s website for more information.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
