Comprehensive medication guide to Terconazole including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$3–$39 copay with Medicare Part D (Tier 2); $5–$50 with most private insurance plans for generic terconazole; prior authorization not typically required for vaginal antifungals.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$17–$45 retail for the 0.4% cream (7-day); $40–$130 for the 0.8% cream or suppository (3-day); as low as $16.72 with GoodRx or $26.85 with SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Terconazole is a prescription-only triazole antifungal medication approved by the FDA in December 1987 for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections) in adult females. It is sold under the brand names Terazol 3, Terazol 7, and Zazole, and is widely available as a generic medication from multiple manufacturers.
Terconazole comes in three formulations for vaginal use: a 0.4% vaginal cream (applied nightly for 7 days), a 0.8% vaginal cream (applied nightly for 3 days), and an 80 mg vaginal suppository (used nightly for 3 days). All three formulations are FDA-approved for the same indication and have comparable efficacy.
Unlike over-the-counter antifungals like Monistat (miconazole) or Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole), Terconazole requires a prescription. It is typically prescribed when OTC treatments have failed, the infection is recurrent, non-albicans Candida species are suspected, or when a prescription-strength topical treatment is clinically preferred.
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Terconazole works by inhibiting a critical fungal enzyme called cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase (also known as CYP51). This enzyme is responsible for converting lanosterol into ergosterol — a fatty molecule that is essential to the integrity of the fungal cell membrane, analogous to cholesterol in human cell membranes.
When Terconazole blocks this enzyme, ergosterol synthesis stops. The fungal cell membrane loses its structural integrity, becoming leaky and dysfunctional. Essential molecules like amino acids and potassium leak out of the cell, the cell membrane ruptures, and the yeast cells die. Terconazole is considered fungicidal (kills the fungus) rather than just fungistatic (slows growth) against Candida albicans.
Because human cells use cholesterol (not ergosterol) in their membranes, and because human 14α-demethylase is far less sensitive to Terconazole inhibition than the fungal version, the drug selectively targets fungal cells while leaving human cells largely unharmed. The drug also maintains activity against beneficial vaginal Lactobacillus bacteria at concentrations far above those achieved during treatment.
0.4% — vaginal cream
One applicatorful (20 mg) vaginally nightly at bedtime for 7 consecutive days. Supplied in a 45g tube with measured-dose applicator.
0.8% — vaginal cream
One applicatorful (40 mg) vaginally nightly at bedtime for 3 consecutive days. Supplied in a 20g tube with measured-dose applicator.
80 mg — vaginal suppository
One suppository vaginally nightly at bedtime for 3 consecutive days. Supplied in a pack of 3 suppositories.
As of 2026, Terconazole is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. The medication is commercially available from multiple generic manufacturers. However, individual pharmacies — particularly smaller, independent ones — may experience localized stock-outs due to low dispensing volume and fragmented demand across three separate formulations.
Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) tend to have more reliable Terconazole stock than independents. Mail-order pharmacies such as Amazon Pharmacy and Costco Pharmacy often have good inventory as well. Seasonal spikes in demand (particularly summer months) can temporarily deplete local stocks.
If you're having trouble finding Terconazole at your local pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones have your prescription in stock, and text you the results — saving you the time and frustration of calling each one yourself.
Terconazole is not a controlled substance, so any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write a prescription for it. There are no special DEA registration requirements or state-level scheduling restrictions.
OB-GYNs (most common prescribers for vaginal yeast infections)
Primary Care Physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) — can prescribe in all 50 states
Physician Assistants (PAs)
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)
Urgent Care Providers
Telehealth prescribing is widely available for Terconazole since it is not a controlled substance. Platforms such as Wisp, Teladoc, MDLIVE, Nurx, and Amazon Clinic can typically issue a Terconazole prescription after a brief virtual consultation, often within the same day.
No. Terconazole is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act by the DEA. This means any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write a prescription for Terconazole without special DEA registration requirements. There are no limits on refills based on controlled substance regulations, and telehealth providers can prescribe it without restriction in all 50 states.
Because it is a prescription-only medication (not available OTC), you still need a valid prescription from a licensed prescriber to obtain Terconazole. However, the lack of controlled substance scheduling makes it significantly easier to access than scheduled medications — prescriptions can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically, and can be refilled without restriction.
Terconazole is generally well-tolerated when used as directed. The most common side effects reported in clinical trials include:
Headache (reported in 21-30% of patients, depending on formulation)
Vaginal burning, itching, or irritation at the application site
Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) — approximately 6% of patients
Abdominal pain — approximately 3.4% of patients
Mild fever — approximately 1% of patients
Serious side effects (rare but require immediate medical attention):
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction): hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat — call 911
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN): painful blistering and peeling skin, especially face and upper body — stop use and go to ER immediately
Flu-like illness syndrome: fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain — discontinue and call your doctor
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Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Oral triazole antifungal; single 150 mg dose; widely available as inexpensive generic; first-line choice for uncomplicated VVC in non-pregnant patients.
Miconazole (Monistat)
OTC imidazole antifungal; available in 1-, 3-, and 7-day formulations as vaginal cream or suppository; no prescription required; widely stocked.
Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin)
OTC imidazole antifungal; vaginal cream or tablets in 3- or 7-day regimens; no prescription required; widely available.
Butoconazole (Gynazole-1)
Prescription imidazole antifungal; single-dose vaginal cream with sustained release; no generic available; may be more expensive.
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Latex/rubber diaphragms
majorThe petroleum-based suppository vehicle can degrade latex and rubber, reducing diaphragm contraceptive effectiveness. Concurrent use is contraindicated. Wait at least 3 days after completing suppository therapy before relying on latex barrier contraception.
Latex condoms
moderateThe petroleum-based suppository vehicle may degrade latex condoms, reducing their effectiveness. Use non-latex (polyurethane or polyisoprene) condoms during treatment and for at least 3 days after.
Oral contraceptives
minorNo known clinically significant interaction. Clinical studies confirm terconazole does not affect estradiol or progesterone levels in women taking low-dose oral contraceptives.
Tampons
minorTampons may absorb the medication before it can exert its effect. Avoid tampon use during the Terconazole treatment course.
Vaginal douches and spermicides
minorMay wash out or interfere with the medication. Avoid douching and spermicide use during treatment.
Terconazole is a well-established, effective prescription antifungal for vulvovaginal candidiasis with a strong safety profile and decades of clinical use. It is available in three formulations that offer dosing flexibility, is not a controlled substance, and can be prescribed by a wide range of providers — including via telehealth. Its triazole mechanism gives it activity against both Candida albicans and some non-albicans species, making it useful when other treatments have failed.
The main challenges patients face with Terconazole are localized pharmacy stock-outs and price variability. Using prescription discount cards (GoodRx, SingleCare) and choosing generic over brand can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Checking multiple pharmacies or using mail-order options can solve most availability issues.
If you're having difficulty filling your Terconazole prescription, medfinder can help you find which pharmacies near you have it in stock — quickly and without the need to call every pharmacy yourself.
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Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Terconazole. 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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