Venus 20 + 4

Venus 20 + 4 is a fixed-dose combination vaginal cream developed by the Brazilian pharmaceutical company EMS for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. It consists of isoconazole nitrate, an imidazole antifungal agent, and dexamethasone acetate, a potent corticosteroid. Isoconazole exerts its antifungal effect by inhibiting lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of ergosterol, which is a vital component of the fungal cell membrane. Dexamethasone acts as a glucocorticoid receptor agonist, providing rapid relief from the inflammatory symptoms such as pruritus, erythema, and edema that often accompany vaginal yeast infections. The 20 + 4 designation refers to the specific concentrations of the active ingredients (20 mg/g of isoconazole nitrate and 4 mg/g of dexamethasone acetate) evaluated in Phase II clinical trials as a single-dose topical treatment to optimize efficacy and patient compliance.

Brand names

Venus

Other names

isoconazole nitrate + dexamethasone acetateVenus 20 + 4 mgVenus Association