Updated: January 30, 2026

What Is Trimo-San? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Author

Peter Daggett

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What Is Trimo-San Used For?
What Are the Active Ingredients in Trimo-San?
What Is the Dose of Trimo-San?
How to Use Trimo-San Correctly
What Sizes Is Trimo-San Available In?
How Much Does Trimo-San Cost?
Is Trimo-San FDA-Approved?
Where to Learn More

Trimo-San is a prescription vaginal gel used for pessary wearers to maintain vaginal pH. Here's a complete overview of what it is, how it works, dosage, and more.

Trimo-San is a brand-name prescription vaginal jelly used primarily by women who wear vaginal pessaries. It is manufactured by CooperSurgical, Inc. and has been used in clinical practice for decades despite not being FDA-approved. If you or someone you care for has been prescribed Trimo-San, this comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know.

What Is Trimo-San Used For?

Trimo-San has two primary uses:

Vaginal pH maintenance for pessary users: A pessary is a device placed inside the vagina to support pelvic organs in women with pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence. Long-term pessary use can disturb the vagina's natural acidic pH (which should be 3.8–4.5), leading to discharge, odor, and bacterial overgrowth. Trimo-San helps restore and maintain that healthy acidic environment.
Vaginal deodorization: Trimo-San coats the vaginal walls to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and act as a vaginal deodorant.

What Are the Active Ingredients in Trimo-San?

Trimo-San contains two active ingredients:

Hydroxyquinoline Sulfate (Oxyquinoline Sulfate) 0.025%: An antimicrobial compound that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the vaginal environment.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate N.F. 0.01%: A surfactant that helps coat the vaginal walls and assists in establishing a barrier against bacteria.

The gel is adjusted with triethanolamine to a pH of 4, in a water-dispersible base composed of glycerine, carbomer NF, citric acid, sodium citrate USP, methylparaben NF, perfume, and antifoam emulsion NF.

What Is the Dose of Trimo-San?

The typical dosing for Trimo-San in new pessary users is:

Week 1: ½ applicatorful inserted vaginally 3 times per week
Week 2 onward: ½ applicatorful inserted vaginally 2 times per week

The dose can be adjusted from half an applicator to a full applicator to achieve the desired results without excessive leakage, based on provider guidance. Always use only the applicator provided with the medication.

How to Use Trimo-San Correctly

Pierce the end of the tube with the top of the cap.
Attach the threaded end of the applicator to the Trimo-San tube.
Squeeze the tube from the bottom until Trimo-San reaches the specified dosage level.
Detach the applicator and gently insert it approximately ½ inch into the vagina.
Press the plunger to dispense the gel and keep the plunger pressed while removing the applicator.
After each use: wipe the tube threads and inside of the cap, recap tightly, and flush the applicator several times with water.

What Sizes Is Trimo-San Available In?

Trimo-San is available in three sizes: 113.4g (4 oz), 226.8g, and 340.2g tubes. Each size includes an applicator. The 113.4g tube is the most commonly stocked size at retail pharmacies. Larger sizes may need to be special-ordered.

How Much Does Trimo-San Cost?

The retail cash price for a 113.4g tube is approximately $37–$58. Medicare and most insurance plans do not cover Trimo-San. With GoodRx or SingleCare discount coupons, the price can be reduced to approximately $29–$33 per tube.

Is Trimo-San FDA-Approved?

No. Trimo-San has not been found by the FDA to be safe and effective, and its labeling has not been approved by the FDA. It is an "unapproved marketed drug" that the FDA allows to remain on the market because there is currently no FDA-approved alternative for vaginal pH maintenance in pessary users. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of using an unapproved drug with their provider.

Where to Learn More

To learn more about how Trimo-San works at the molecular level, see our guide: How Does Trimo-San Work? Mechanism of Action Explained. If you're having trouble finding Trimo-San at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies on your behalf to locate it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trimo-San is a prescription vaginal gel used primarily by women who wear vaginal pessaries. It helps maintain a healthy vaginal pH of approximately 4, prevents odor-causing bacteria from growing, and acts as a vaginal deodorant and lubricant.

For new pessary users, the standard starting dose is ½ applicatorful vaginally 3 times per week for the first week. From week 2 onward, the maintenance dose is ½ applicatorful twice per week, unless otherwise directed by your provider.

No. Trimo-San is a prescription vaginal jelly, not a douche. It is applied vaginally using a specialized applicator and is designed to maintain vaginal pH and prevent bacterial overgrowth. Douching involves flushing liquid through the vagina and is generally discouraged by gynecologists.

Trimo-San is not a treatment for active yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. It is designed for maintenance of vaginal pH and prevention of odor-causing bacteria in pessary users. If you have a diagnosed vaginal infection, speak with your provider about appropriate treatment options.

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