MedicineNet.com
  MedicineNet home Health news and views Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living MedTerms medical dictionary  
Font Size
A
A
A


Medication Written by Pharmacists Reviewed by Doctors

GENERIC NAME: clotrimazole

BRAND NAME: Lotrimin, Mycelex

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal medication related to fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), and miconazole (Micatin, Monistat). It is used topically on the skin, inserted vaginally or allowed to dissolve in the mouth for local fungal infections.

PRESCRIPTION: yes, for some brands and/or preparations

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PREPARATIONS: Cream (1%), topical solution or lotion (1%), vaginal cream (50 mg per tube), buccal troche (10mg), vaginal tablets (100mg, 500mg).

STORAGE: Cream and solution should be kept between 2 ° and 30°C (36-86°F). Lotion should be stored between 2 ° and 25°C (36-77°F). Lotion should be shaken before each use.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Clotrimazole is used for the treatment of local infections with Candida albicans (e.g. vaginal yeast infections or oral thrush), tinea versicolor, tinea pedis ("athlete's foot"), tinea cruris ("jock itch") or tinea corporis.

DOSING: Clotrimazole cream, lotion, or solution is applied gently to the affected and surrounding skin areas, generally twice daily in the morning and evening. The vaginal cream is inserted via applicator once daily, preferably at night, for 7 consecutive days. The 100mg vaginal tablets are inserted once daily, preferably at night, for 7 consecutive days. The 500mg vaginal tablet also is inserted once daily, preferably at night.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions with topical clotrimazole.

PREGNANCY: Clotrimazole is very poorly absorbed into the blood and the body after application to the skin or the vagina. Studies in women in their second or third trimesters have demonstrated no ill effects. No human data is available in pregnant women during their first trimester. Rats given large amounts of clotrimazole intravaginally have demonstrated no ill effects.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if clotrimazole is secreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associated with clotrimazole are local redness, stinging, blistering, peeling, swelling, itching, hives, or burning at the area of application. All of these are quite unusual, however.






Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


space Related health and medical articles From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com MedicineNet Doctors recommend space
space
MedicineNet Doctors Recommend
  • Tinea Versicolor - Read about causes and treatments for Tinea Versicolor, a common, but unsightly skin condition that is neither permanent nor serious. Source:MedicineNet
  • Athlete's Foot - Get information on athlete's foot, including symptoms and treatment of this skin infection caused by the trichophyton fungus. Produced by doctors for patients. Source:MedicineNet
  • Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle Cell Anemia) - Read about sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease), a blood disease which shortens life expectancy, is cause by an inherited abnormal hemoglobin. Symptoms may include bacterial infections, painful swelling of the hands and feet, fever, arthritis, leg ulcers, fatigue, anemia, eye damage, and lung and heart injury. Treatment for sickle cell anemia aims to manage and prevent the worst manifestations of the disease and focuses on therapies that block red blood cells from stacking together, which can lead to tissue and organ damage and pain. Source:MedicineNet
  • Read 26 more clotrimazole related articles ...
Latest Medical News
space

Back to Medications Index


Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997





Topics Related to clotrimazole, Lotrimin, Mycelex

clotrimazole
RSS FeedSpecialty RSS       Add to My Yahoo! What is this?

Acne & EmotionAcne & Emotion
Almost everyone has a pimple or two sometime in their life. Research shows even mild acne can pack an emotional punch. See more WebMD Videos »

WebMD Daily

Get breaking medical news.











Health categories:

News & Views | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

HON Code We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information:
verify here.

©1996-2008 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.