Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal medication
related to fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole
(Sporanox), and miconazole (Micatin, Monistat). It prevents growth of several
types of fungi by preventing production of the membranes that surround fungal
cells. 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:
Topical cream, solution or lotion: 1%; buccal troche: 10 mg;
Vaginal suppositories: 100 and 200 mg;
Vaginal cream: 1% and 2%.
STORAGE: Store cream, lotion, solution and troche between 20-25 C
(68-77 F). Store vaginal suppositories between 15-30 C (59-86 F).
DOSING: Clotrimazole cream, lotion, or solution is applied 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 100 mg vaginal suppository is inserted once
daily, preferably at bedtime, for 7 consecutive days.
The 200 mg vaginal
suppository is inserted once daily for 3 days, preferably at bedtime.
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 of pregnancy 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.
Yeast vaginitis is a yeast infection of the vagina. Symptoms include itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and urination, and vaginal discharge. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter and prescription medications.
The term "ringworm" or "ringworms" refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of skin scrapings under the microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the appropriate distinctions. A proper diagnosis is essential to successful treatment. Among the different types of ringworm are the following: tinea barbae, tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea faciei, tinea manus, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium.
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a skin infection caused by the ringworm fungus. Symptoms include itching, burning, cracking, peeling, and bleeding feet. Treatment involves keeping the feet dry and clean, wearing shoes that can breathe, and using medicated powders to keep your feet dry.
Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by the candida fungus. Symptoms of Thrush include pain or difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food gets stuck in the throat, and fever.
Jock itch is an itchy red rash that appears in the groin area. The rash may be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. People with diabetes and those who are obese are more susceptible to developing jock itch. Antifungal shampoos, creams, and pills may be needed to treat fungal jock itch. Bacterial jock itch may be treated with antibacterial soaps and topical and oral antibiotics.
Tinea versicolor is a fungus infection that mainly affects the skin of young people. Recognized by light or reddish brown spots, and areas lighter than the surrounding skin. Tinea versicolor is caused by yeast actually found in our skin. Factors like heat, humidity, and sweat help it proliferate in people, resulting in a rash that is not contagious to others.
Dandruff (seborrhea) is a skin disorder that results from neither too much moisture nor too much oil. Dandruff can be treated with shampoos that contain tar, salicylic acid, zinc, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole.
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, 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.
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a type of fungus called Candida. Oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth and throat. Oral thrush and yeast infections are treated orally or topically with an antifungal antibiotic called Nystatin.
Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease) is a disorder of the blood caused by an inherited
abnormal hemoglobin (an oxygen-carrying protein within the red blood
cells). The abnormal hemoglobin causes distorted (sickled) red blood
cells. The sickled red blood cells are fragile and prone to rupture.
When the number of red blood cells decreases from rupture
(hemolysis), anemia is the result. This condition is referred to as
sickle cell anemia. The irregular sickled cells can also block blood
vessels causing tissue and organ damage and pain.
Sickle cell anemia is one of the most common inherited blood
anemias. The disease primarily affects Africans and
African Americans. It is estimated that in the United States, some 50,000
African Americans are afflicted with the most severe form of sickle cell anemia.
Overall, current estimates are that one in 1,875 U.S. African American is
affected with sickle cell anemia./...
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