Comprehensive medication guide to Trimo-San including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Trimo-San is not covered by Medicare Part D or most commercial insurance plans due to its unapproved FDA status. Patients typically pay the full cash price. Some FSA and HSA plans may cover it with a valid prescription.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$37–$58 retail for the 113.4g brand-name tube; as low as $29–$33 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at participating pharmacies. No generic is available.
Medfinder Findability Score
48/100
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Trimo-San is a brand-name prescription vaginal jelly manufactured by CooperSurgical, Inc. It contains two active ingredients: oxyquinoline sulfate (hydroxyquinoline) at 0.025% and sodium lauryl sulfate at 0.01%. The gel is formulated to a pH of 4 — matching the normal acidic environment of a healthy vagina.
Trimo-San is used primarily by women who wear vaginal pessaries — medical devices inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs in cases of pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence. Pessary use can disrupt vaginal pH and promote bacterial overgrowth, causing discharge and odor. Trimo-San helps restore and maintain normal vaginal acidity.
Trimo-San has not been found by the FDA to be safe and effective, and its labeling has not been FDA-approved. It is an unapproved marketed drug that remains available because no FDA-approved alternative exists for this specific use. It is available in 113.4g (4 oz), 226.8g, and 340.2g tube sizes with applicator, by prescription only.
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Trimo-San works through three complementary mechanisms. First, the gel is formulated to pH 4, which directly restores the acidic vaginal environment that a pessary can disrupt. When vaginal pH rises above 4.5, anaerobic bacteria that cause discharge and odor can overgrow.
Second, oxyquinoline sulfate acts as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial. It works by chelating metal ions (iron, zinc) that bacteria need to survive, inhibiting their growth without the systemic risks of antibiotics. Third, sodium lauryl sulfate is a surfactant that coats the vaginal walls, creating a physical barrier that prevents bacteria from adhering to vaginal tissue — the first step in bacterial overgrowth.
Together these mechanisms provide comprehensive vaginal pH maintenance and odor control. Trimo-San has been specifically tested for compatibility with Milex brand pessaries and does not damage the pessary material.
0.025%-0.01% — vaginal jelly
Standard strength — 113.4g (4 oz) tube with applicator. Dose: ½ applicatorful 3x/week week 1, then ½ applicatorful 2x/week maintenance.
0.025%-0.01% — vaginal jelly
226.8g tube with applicator — larger size, may require special order.
0.025%-0.01% — vaginal jelly
340.2g tube with applicator — largest available size, may require special order.
Trimo-San is not in an official FDA shortage, but it is genuinely difficult to find at many pharmacies. It is a brand-name only, unapproved drug with limited insurance coverage and a niche patient population. Many pharmacy chains stock it only at select locations, and some may need to special-order it within 1–3 business days.
The retail price of $37–$58 for a 113.4g tube, combined with no generic option and poor insurance coverage, further limits widespread stocking at pharmacies. Availability varies significantly by region and by specific pharmacy location.
If you're struggling to find Trimo-San, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones have it in stock and text you the results — eliminating the need to call pharmacy after pharmacy on your own.
Trimo-San is not a controlled substance, so it can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber in the United States. In practice, prescriptions come primarily from providers who manage pelvic floor health and pessary care:
Telehealth is appropriate for refill prescriptions if you are already an established pessary patient. Initial pessary fitting and Trimo-San prescribing typically requires an in-person gynecologic examination. Telehealth women's health platforms may be able to facilitate refills for established patients.
No. Trimo-San is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It can be prescribed and dispensed like any standard non-controlled prescription medication.
Because Trimo-San is not a controlled substance, there are no restrictions on phone-in refills, quantity limits per prescription, or requirements for in-person visits to obtain refills. Your provider can send a Trimo-San prescription electronically or by phone, and refills can be requested through your pharmacy or patient portal. There is no DEA scheduling or documentation requirement for Trimo-San.
Most patients tolerate Trimo-San well. The manufacturer notes that irritation is very rare. Mild side effects that may occur include:
Serious side effects requiring immediate provider attention:
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RepHresh
OTC polycarbophil vaginal gel that maintains pH 3.5-4.5 for up to 3 days per application. Available without a prescription. Not specifically tested with all pessary types.
Vaginal Estrogen (Estrace, Premarin Vaginal)
Rx low-dose vaginal estrogen cream for postmenopausal women. Restores vaginal tissue health and pH. FDA-approved and usually covered by insurance. Apply 2-3x/week.
MetroGel-Vaginal (metronidazole 0.75%)
FDA-approved Rx antibiotic vaginal gel for bacterial vaginosis. Used for treatment of active BV infections, not routine pH maintenance. Generic available.
Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories
OTC 600mg boric acid suppositories used for vaginal acidification. Antifungal and antibacterial properties. Not tested for pessary compatibility — confirm with provider before use.
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Other vaginal preparations (general)
moderateUsing multiple vaginal products simultaneously may alter the pH or effectiveness of each product and may interact with pessary materials. Always consult your provider before combining Trimo-San with other vaginal gels, creams, or suppositories.
Latex pessaries / contraceptive devices
moderateSodium lauryl sulfate, a surfactant ingredient in Trimo-San, may potentially affect latex materials. Confirm compatibility with your pessary type and discuss with your provider if you use latex contraceptive devices.
Methylparaben (inactive ingredient)
minorTrimo-San contains methylparaben as an inactive ingredient. Patients with known paraben allergy or sensitivity may experience contact allergic reactions.
Trimo-San fills a specific and important clinical need for women who use vaginal pessaries. Despite its lack of FDA approval, it has been used for decades and is the only vaginal gel specifically tested for compatibility with Milex pessaries. For most pessary users, it is an effective, well-tolerated product for maintaining vaginal health.
The main challenges with Trimo-San are access and cost. It is brand-name only, not covered by Medicare or most insurance plans, and not stocked at every pharmacy. Patients and providers should plan ahead: identify reliable local pharmacy sources, use GoodRx or SingleCare coupons to reduce costs, and consider alternatives like vaginal estrogen if access remains a persistent barrier.
If you're having trouble finding Trimo-San at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies on your behalf to locate it and text you the results — making the process far less frustrating than calling pharmacies yourself.
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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
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