Comprehensive medication guide to Relagard including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$40 copay when covered; acetic acid/oxyquinoline vaginal gel appears on select commercial formularies (e.g., Express Scripts National Preferred Formulary) — coverage varies widely and many plans exclude unapproved drugs entirely.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$43–$52 per 50g tube for Relagard brand at cash price; Fem pH (equivalent) runs $115 retail but as low as $80–$100 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
35/100
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Relagard is a brand-name vaginal gel containing two active ingredients: glacial acetic acid (0.9%) and oxyquinoline (0.025%). It is classified as a topical anti-infective and is used to restore and maintain the natural acidic environment of the vagina, which has a healthy pH of approximately 3.8 to 4.3. Other brand names for the same formulation include Fem pH, Aci-Jel, Acid Jelly, and Acidic Vaginal Jelly.
Relagard is prescribed as adjunctive therapy alongside antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis (BV), as maintenance therapy to prevent recurrent BV, and to manage vaginal pH imbalances caused by menstruation, sexual activity, antibiotic use, or hormonal changes. It is not FDA-approved but is marketed under the FDA's enforcement discretion for unapproved drugs with a long history of use.
Relagard is available as a 0.9%-0.025% vaginal gel in a 50-gram tube with an applicator. The standard dosing is one applicatorful inserted vaginally every morning and evening. It is not a controlled substance and can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider including OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
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Relagard works by directly acidifying the vaginal environment. The acetic acid component donates hydrogen ions to the local environment, lowering vaginal pH to the physiologically normal range of 3.8–4.3. This acidic pH is inhospitable to pathogenic bacteria (such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella species that cause bacterial vaginosis) and fungi (such as Candida species), while supporting the beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria that produce lactic acid and maintain vaginal health.
The oxyquinoline component adds additional antiseptic activity. It works through metal chelation — binding to essential metal ions that bacteria need for enzyme function — and membrane disruption, inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth. Together, the two ingredients provide both a pH-lowering effect and direct antimicrobial activity.
Because Relagard is applied locally in the vagina with minimal systemic absorption, it does not interact meaningfully with oral medications. It takes an environmental approach to vaginal health — restoring the chemical ecosystem in which the vagina's natural defenses can function effectively — rather than directly treating specific infections with antibiotics.
0.9% / 0.025% — Vaginal Gel
50g tube with applicator; acetic acid 0.9% and oxyquinoline 0.025%; pH 3.8–4.3
Finding Relagard at a retail pharmacy is genuinely difficult in 2026. GoodRx has noted that the medication is not available at pharmacies in certain areas, and patients across the country report being turned away by multiple chain pharmacies before locating stock. Relagard's unapproved regulatory status means manufacturers have no obligation to maintain consistent production levels or report supply gaps, leading to patchy and unpredictable availability.
Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid) are the least likely to carry Relagard, while independent pharmacies and compounding pharmacies have better — but still inconsistent — stock. Patients who find a reliable source are advised to establish a standing order with that pharmacy and refill early to avoid running out.
If you're struggling to find Relagard at your pharmacy, medfinder contacts pharmacies near you on your behalf to find which ones have it in stock — saving you the time and frustration of calling around yourself.
Relagard is not a controlled substance and is not subject to DEA scheduling restrictions. Any licensed prescriber with authority to prescribe non-controlled medications can write a Relagard prescription. Providers who most commonly prescribe it include:
OB/GYNs (obstetricians and gynecologists)
Primary care physicians (family medicine and internal medicine)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) in OB/GYN and women's health settings
Physician assistants (PAs) in relevant specialties
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs)
Telehealth platforms specializing in women's health — such as Nurx, Wisp, Hers, and Plushcare — can prescribe Relagard (or its equivalent Fem pH) and send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies of your choice, with appointments typically available within 24–48 hours.
No — Relagard is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled under the DEA Controlled Substances Act and has no abuse or dependence potential. Any licensed prescriber can write a prescription for Relagard without DEA registration for scheduled drugs, and there are no regulatory limits on refills based on controlled substance scheduling.
The primary barriers to accessing Relagard are its inconsistent pharmacy availability and variable insurance coverage — not prescription restrictions. Patients can request refills at any interval their provider deems appropriate without the restrictions that apply to Schedule II-V medications.
Relagard is generally well-tolerated. Most side effects are mild, localized, and improve with continued use:
Burning or stinging at the vaginal application site
Mild vaginal irritation or itching
Temporary changes in vaginal discharge
Severe burning, stinging, or irritation that doesn't subside
Signs of allergic reaction: rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, or throat
Worsening of vaginal symptoms despite treatment
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Fem pH
Identical active ingredients (acetic acid 0.9% / oxyquinoline 0.025%); closest therapeutic substitute for Relagard; may be more available at some pharmacies
Metronidazole (Flagyl, MetroGel-Vaginal)
FDA-approved antibiotic for bacterial vaginosis; available as oral tablet or vaginal gel; first-line BV treatment per CDC guidelines
Clindamycin (Cleocin)
FDA-approved antibiotic for BV; available as oral capsule or vaginal cream; alternative first-line treatment
Secnidazole (Solosec)
FDA-approved single-dose oral granules for bacterial vaginosis; convenient but more expensive
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Latex contraceptive devices
moderateVaginal gels may weaken latex condoms and diaphragms, potentially reducing contraceptive effectiveness. Non-latex alternatives recommended during treatment.
Spermicides
minorConcurrent vaginal use may alter local environment and reduce effectiveness of either product. Timing should be discussed with a provider.
Other vaginal products (antifungals, hormonal creams)
minorUsing multiple vaginal products simultaneously may cause irritation or dilute effectiveness. Space doses as directed by provider.
Tampons
minorTampons absorb the vaginal gel before it can work. Use pads or panty liners instead during treatment.
Relagard plays a valuable role in women's vaginal health management — particularly for patients dealing with recurrent bacterial vaginosis who need a non-antibiotic maintenance option to keep vaginal pH in balance between antibiotic courses. Its combination of acetic acid and oxyquinoline is well-established, and it is generally well-tolerated with minimal systemic effects.
The main challenges with Relagard in 2026 are access-related: inconsistent pharmacy availability due to its unapproved status, and variable insurance coverage. Patients should be prepared to call multiple pharmacies, consider independent or compounding pharmacies, and use discount programs like GoodRx if paying out of pocket. When Relagard is unavailable, Fem pH (identical ingredients) is the closest alternative.
If you are struggling to locate Relagard at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can do the legwork for you — contacting pharmacies in your area to find which ones have your prescription in stock and texting you the results.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Relagard. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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