clotrimazole and betamethasone (Lotrisone)

Lotrisone is a cream or lotion consisting of a combination of the drugs clotrimazole and betamethasone.

Clotrimazole is an antifungal drug related to:

• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• itraconazole (Sporanox)
• miconazole (Micatin, Monistat)

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used for the relief of inflammatory and itchy skin conditions in patients 13 years of age or older.

Is Lotrisone available as a generic drug?

Yes, it is available as a generic.

Do I need a prescription for Lotrisone?

Yes, you need a prescription from your doctor for this topical medication.

Lotrisone is a combination of the drugs clotrimazole and betamethasone, and is used for the treatment of local fungal infections such as:

• Tinea pedis ("athlete's foot")
• Tinea cruris ("jock itch")
• Tinea corporis (fungal infections elsewhere on the body).

It also is used for the treatment of allergic or inflammatory conditions.

The most common side effects include:

• Local redness
• Stinging
• Blistering
• Peeling
• Swelling (edema)
• Itching
• Tingling or prickling sensation
• Hives
• Burning at the area of application

Other important side effects include:

• Water retention (edema)
• Decreased pigmentation
• Stretch marks

Possible serious side effects include:

• Growth retardation
• Intracranial hypertension
• Infection due to bacteria
• Cushing's syndrome
• Skin atrophy

• Lotrisone cream is gently massaged into the affected skin and surrounding area in the morning and evening. The treated skin should not be bandaged, covered, or wrapped in order to avoid excessive absorption of Lotrisone into the body.
• Lotrisone cream or lotion should not be used for more than 2 weeks for treatment of tinea corporis or tinea cruris. If there is no clinical improvement after one week of treatment, the diagnosis should be reviewed.
• Lotrisone should not be used longer than 4 weeks for treatment of tinea pedis. If there is no clinical improvement after 2 weeks of treatment, the diagnosis should be reviewed. These limits on duration of use are based on the clinical studies that were used by the FDA to approve Lotrisone and concerns that with longer use absorption of betamethasone might be enough to have effects on the body.
• Amounts greater than 45 g per week of Lotrisone cream or amounts greater than 45 mL per week of Lotrisone lotion should not be used.

• Long-term use or withdrawal of topical corticosteroids may aggravate psoriasis. Therefore, there should be an interval of at least 1 week between the discontinuance of topical steroids like betamethasone and the starting of psoriasis treatment with anthralin (Psoriatec).

• Safety of using Lotrisone during pregnancy has not been evaluated.
• It is not known whether clotrimazole or betamethasone is secreted in breast milk.

What preparations of are available?

• Cream or lotion: 1% clotrimazole and 0.05% betamethasone

How should I keep this medicine stored?

• Lotrisone can be stored at room temperature, cream at 2 C to 30 C (36 F to 86 F) and lotion at 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F).

How does Lotrisone work?

• Lotrisone prevents growth of several types of fungi by preventing production of the membranes that surround fungal cells. Betamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid that is used topically on the skin. Corticosteroids suppress inflammation as well as the body's immune response.

When was Lotrisone approved by the FDA?

• The FDA approved Lotrisone cream in July 1984.