Study of chlorhexidine, metronidazole, and FB301 for the treatment of women with bacterial vaginosis

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What is this study about?

This study is being conducted to evaluate the effect of certain treatments on the vaginal microbiome, which is the community of tiny organisms living in the vagina, in women diagnosed with Bacterial vaginosis. This condition occurs when there is an imbalance of the natural bacteria in the vagina. The research focuses on how different combinations of medications can help restore a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria.

The treatments involved include chlorhexidine, which is applied as a liquid solution, and metronidazole, which is taken as a pill. Following these initial treatments, the study uses a product known as FB301, which is provided in the form of a capsule. The goal is to see if using these medications together can increase the presence of healthy bacteria like Lactobacillus species.

During the study, participants will follow a specific sequence of using the different medications. Over several weeks, the changes in the vaginal environment will be monitored to determine if the treatments successfully restore a healthy microbial balance and resolve symptoms associated with the condition.

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Women between the ages of 18 and 45 who have not yet gone through menopause, which is the natural end of monthly menstrual periods.
  • Women who have bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of the natural bacteria in the vagina, which must be confirmed by a doctor using a Gram stain (a test that looks at bacteria under a microscope) showing a Nugent Score (a specific measurement of bacterial imbalance) of 7 or higher.
  • Symptoms must include vaginal discharge or a fishy odor.
  • Women must be willing to follow all study steps, including cleaning the vagina, taking the study medicine, and attending all scheduled appointments.
  • Women must agree to avoid vaginal intercourse (sexual activity involving the vagina) and the use of products like tampons, menstrual cups, sex toys, spermicides (substances that kill sperm), or lubricants from the first treatment until 17 days after the treatment starts.
  • Women must be in good physical and mental health as decided by the doctor.
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight, must be 37 or less.
  • Women must have regular periods or have not had a period for at least 3 months due to specific types of birth control.
  • Women must agree to follow strict rules regarding contraception (methods used to prevent pregnancy). This means if you use birth control like pills, patches, or injections, you cannot change your method during the study. If you do not use birth control, you cannot start a new method during the study, but you must use condoms after the initial 17-day period.
  • Women must be willing to answer questions about their sexual activity and products used in the vagina.
  • Women must be able and willing to collect their own vaginal samples at home or at the clinic for testing.
  • Women must be able to sign a legal document called informed consent, which means they understand and agree to all the rules and details of the study.
  • There must be no recent changes in your medical health or other treatments you are receiving.

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Having a known immunodeficiency, which is a condition where the body’s immune system cannot protect the body properly from infection.
  • Taking any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements within a specific timeframe before the study begins, unless the study doctor decides they are safe to use.
  • Using any investigational drugs, which are medicines currently being studied in clinical trials, unless the previous study ended at least 30 days ago.
  • Using antibiotics (medicines that fight bacteria) through a pill or a vaginal application within the last 30 days.
  • Receiving any current antibacterial therapy (treatment to kill bacteria) that is not related to bacterial vaginosis.
  • Having clinical laboratory test results that are not considered healthy or acceptable, such as abnormal urinalysis (urine test), chemistry (blood tests that measure substances like sugar or salt), or hematology (tests that look at blood cells).
  • Testing positive for HBsAg (a marker for Hepatitis B), HCV (Hepatitis C virus), or HIV (a virus that attacks the immune system).
  • Testing positive for Treponema pallidum, which is the bacteria that causes syphilis (a sexually transmitted infection).
  • Having blood pressure or pulse rate (heart rate) levels that are considered abnormal by the study doctor.
  • Having an aural body temperature (temperature taken through the ear) that is lower than 35.5°C or higher than 37.6°C.
  • Being pregnant, breastfeeding, having been pregnant within the last 2 months, or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months.
  • Participating in egg donation during the study.
  • Having an allergy or a medical reason why you cannot use metronidazole or chlorhexidine.
  • Using a copper IUD (a small device placed in the uterus for birth control) within the last 12 weeks.
  • Using probiotics, prebiotics, or symbiotics (products used to add healthy bacteria to the body) orally or vaginally within the last 30 days, though eating yogurt with live cultures is allowed.
  • Donating whole blood or plasma (the liquid part of blood) within specific time limits before or during the study.
  • Having a history of alcohol or substance dependency, which means a regular and uncontrollable need to use alcohol or drugs.
  • Being an employee of the companies or organizations conducting the study.
  • Any other health or social condition that the doctor believes would make it difficult to follow the study rules or interfere with the results.
  • Testing positive for alcohol or drugs of abuse on the first day of receiving the study treatment.
  • Having a medical condition that requires you to take antibiotics on a regular basis.
  • Having a history of gynecological cancers (cancers of the female reproductive system) or other reproductive health issues that prevent participation.
  • Having abnormal findings during a physical examination or gynecological examination (a check-up of the reproductive organs).
  • Having other types of infections like candidiasis (a yeast infection), Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or active Herpes.
  • Having any other vaginal or vulvar (the area around the vagina) conditions that might make it hard to see if the study treatment is working.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

No sites found in this category

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
CRS Clinical Research Services Management GmbH Berlin Germany
Cgn Cnuquoxg Ryhvdhqw Smjsljgj Mqzhidar Gotp Mannheim Germany

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Germany Germany
Recruiting
16.03.2026

Trial locations

Chlorhexidine is a liquid applied to the vaginal area to help clean and kill harmful bacteria.

Metronidazole is a pill taken by mouth to fight the bacteria that cause infections.

FB301 is a vaginal capsule containing beneficial bacteria used to help restore a healthy balance of natural bacteria in the vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis – This condition occurs when there is an imbalance of the natural bacteria found in the vagina. It happens when the healthy bacteria that maintain a stable environment are replaced by an overgrowth of other types of bacteria. This shift causes a change in the vaginal microbiome and its chemical balance. The condition is characterized by a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in various other microorganisms. As it progresses, the microbial community becomes increasingly dominated by different bacterial species.

Trial ID:
2025-524362-20-00
Protocol code:
FRB-004
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)

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