Phexxi (lactic acid/citric acid/potassium bitartrate) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for the prevention of pregnancy in females* who can become pregnant. Phexxi comes as a vaginal gel that’s used as needed before intercourse.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Phexxi belongs to a drug class called vaginal pH modulators. Phexxi isn’t available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Phexxi, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Phexxi, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Phexxi provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Phexxi, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Phexxi’s form, strength, and dosage.

Phexxi form

Phexxi comes as a vaginal gel. The gel is inside a single-dose, prefilled applicator with a plunger.

Phexxi strength

Phexxi is available in one strength of 5 grams (g) of gel per each applicator. The gel contains the active ingredients lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for the prevention of pregnancy

Doctors may prescribe Phexxi to help prevent pregnancy. You’ll insert one Phexxi prefilled applicator into your vagina just before or up to 1 hour before sex. If you have sex again within 1 hour of the first dose, you’ll need to insert another dose of Phexxi beforehand. And if you haven‘t had sex within 1 hour of insertion, you’ll need to insert another dose of Phexxi.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Phexxi is approved to help prevent pregnancy in females* who’ve had a period and can become pregnant. The dosage for children is the same as the adult dosage: one applicator of Phexxi just before or up to 1 hour before sex.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Long-term treatment

Phexxi is used as needed before sex to help prevent pregnancy. If you have questions about how long to use Phexxi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Phexxi comes in a prefilled, single-use applicator. You’ll insert one applicator into the vagina and use the plunger to deliver the medication. You’ll do this just before sex or up to 1 hour beforehand.

Phexxi can be used at any point during your menstrual cycle. If you have given birth, had an abortion, or experienced a miscarriage, you can use Phexxi as soon as your doctor tells you it is safe to have sex again.

Phexxi can also be used with most other forms of contraception, including hormonal birth control, condoms, and vaginal diaphragms. However, it is recommended you do not use Phexxi if you use a vaginal ring for birth control.

If you’re currently using another vaginal medication, such as miconazole (Monistat), metronidazole (Nuvessa), or tioconazole (Vagistat-1), for a vaginal infection, it’s safe to use Phexxi at the same time. You can read more about sex with a yeast infection here.

If you have questions about how to use Phexxi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also step-by-step instructions and a helpful video on the manufacturer’s website.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

Phexxi is meant to be used as needed before sex. It won’t protect against pregnancy if it’s used after sex. If you forget to use Phexxi and aren’t using another form of contraception, you may not be protected from pregnancy. If you have questions about using emergency contraception, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s important that you do not use more Phexxi than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you use more than the recommended amount of Phexxi

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Phexxi. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Phexxi.

How long does it take for Phexxi to start working?

Phexxi helps prevent pregnancy if it’s used just before or up to 1 hour before having sex. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Phexxi treatment.

Is there a typical dosage range for Phexxi?

Yes, the typical recommended dosage range for Phexxi is to insert one applicator into the vagina just before or up to 1 hour before sex. Because it’s used as needed, there isn’t a dosing schedule or typical daily dosage of Phexxi.

For more information about Phexxi dosages, see the “Phexxi dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Phexxi for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Phexxi without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Phexxi that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Phexxi. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Phexxi: For information about other aspects of Phexxi, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Phexxi, you can look at the Phexxi prescribing information.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about Phexxi and cost, see this article.
  • Details about pregnancy prevention: For details about pregnancy prevention, see our women’s health hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.