- Bacterial Infections 101 Pictures Slideshow
- Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
- Hepatitis C Slideshow Pictures
- Lamisil Cream vs. Lotrimin: What's the difference?
- What is Lamisil cream? What is Lotrimin?
- What are the side effects of Lamisil and Lotrimin?
- What is the dosage of Lamisil vs. Lotrimin?
- What drugs interact with Lamisil and Lotrimin?
- Are Lamisil and Lotrimin safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Lamisil Cream vs. Lotrimin: What's the difference?
- Lamisil Cream (terbinafine) and Lotrimin (clotrimazole) are antifungal agents applied to the skin used to treat fungal nails, jock itch, and athlete's foot.
- Other forms of Lotrimin are also used to treat vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, tinea versicolor, or tinea corporis.
- Lamisil Cream and Lotrimin Cream are available over-the-counter (OTC) and as a generic.
- Side effects of Lamisil Cream and Lotrimin that are similar include itching and hives at the application site.
- Side effects of Lamisil Cream that are different from Lotrimin include headache, cough, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and altered taste and smell sensation.
- Side effects of Lotrimin that are different from Lamisil Cream include local redness, stinging, blistering, peeling, swelling, or burning at the area of application; and nausea and vomiting (oral forms).
What is Lamisil cream? What is Lotrimin?
Lamisil Cream (terbinafine) is an antifungal agent applied to the skin prescribed for the treatment of fungal nails, jock itch, and athlete's foot. Lamisil Cream acts by interfering with the ability of fungi to make chemicals called sterols that are an important part of the membrane that surrounds fungal cells and holds them together. This weakens the cell membrane.
Lotrimin (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 interfering with the production of the membrane that surrounds fungal cells. It is used topically on the skin, inserted vaginally or allowed to dissolve in the mouth for local fungal infections due to Candida albicans, including vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, tinea versicolor, tinea pedis ("athlete's foot"), tinea cruris ("jock itch") or tinea corporis.

QUESTION
Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day. See AnswerWhat are the side effects of Lamisil and Lotrimin?
Lamisil
The most common side effects of terbinafine are:
- headache,
- cough,
- diarrhea,
- abdominal pain,
- hives,
- itching and
- altered taste and smell sensation.
Oral terbinafine can cause liver failure sometimes leading to liver transplantation or death.
Lotrimin
The most commonly noted side effects associated with clotrimazole include:
- local redness,
- stinging,
- blistering,
- peeling,
- swelling,
- itching,
- hives, or
- burning at the area of application.
Other side effects include nausea and vomiting, which may be caused by the oral forms.
Latest Infectious Disease News
- Ground Turkey Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
- Doctors': Antibiotics Can Be for Shorter Periods
- Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Songbirds & Feeders
- Sabra Classic Hummus Recalled Due to Salmonella
- Ebola Survivor May Have Started Latest Outbreak -- 5 Years Later
- Want More News? Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters!
Daily Health News
What is the dosage of Lamisil vs. Lotrimin?
Lamisil
- Tablets: The usual dose is 250 mg once daily for 6 weeks for treatment of the fingernails, and 12 weeks for treatment of toenails. Optimal results will not be seen for several months after treatment because it takes time for new healthy nails to grow. Terbinafine may be taken with or without food.
- Cream, gel, spray, solution: Apply to affected area (s) once (jock itch, ringworm) or twice daily (athletes foot) for about for 1 week.
Lotrimin
- The troche (lozenge) should slowly dissolve in the mouth. One troche is administered 5 times daily for 14 days. 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.

SLIDESHOW
Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See SlideshowWhat drugs interact with Lamisil and Lotrimin?
Lamisil
Rifampin reduces oral terbinafine blood concentrations, potentially reducing the efficacy of terbinafine. Cimetidine (Tagamet) may increase oral terbinafine blood levels, potentially increasing side effects of terbinafine. Fluconazole (Diflucan) increases the blood levels of oral terbinafine by 52%-69%. Potentially leading to increased side effects.
Lotrimin
No information provided
Are Lamisil and Lotrimin safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Lamisil
There are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Since nail fungus treatment can be delayed until after pregnancy there is no reason to use oral terbinafine during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding mothers should not use oral terbinafine because terbinafine passes into breast milk.
Lotrimin
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 data is available in pregnant women during their first trimester. Rats given large amounts of clotrimazole via the vagina have demonstrated no ill effects. The oral troche has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women.
It is not known if clotrimazole is secreted in breast milk.
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.
Summary
Lamisil Cream (terbinafine) and Lotrimin (clotrimazole) are antifungal agents applied to the skin used to treat fungal nails, jock itch, and athlete's foot. Other forms of Lotrimin are also used to treat vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, tinea versicolor, or tinea corporis.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Fungal Skin Infections: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
Fungal skin infections and fungal nail infections produce symptoms like red, itchy, circular rashes and thick, discolored, flaky...
-
Picture of Onychomycosis (Fungal Nail Infection)
The most common fungus infection of the nails is onychomycosis. See a picture of Onychomycosis (Fungal Nail Infection) and learn...
-
Picture of Fungal Nail Infection
Nails that are infected with a fungus may become discolored (yellowish-brown or opaque), thick and brittle, and may separate from...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Jock Itch
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.
-
Fungal Nails
Fungal nails (onychomycosis) may be caused by many species of fungi, but the most common is Trichophyton rubrum. Distal subungal onychomycosis starts as a discolored area at the nail's corner and slowly spread toward the cuticle. In proximal subungal onychomycosis, the infection starts at the cuticle and spreads toward the nail tip. Yeast onychomycosis is caused by Candida and may be the most common cause of fungal fingernail.
-
Athlete's Foot
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.
-
Is Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris) Contagious?
Jock itch is a fungal infection in the groin area that causes a raised, itchy, red rash. Jock itch can typically be treated with antifungal medications. People may need to seek medical care for jock itch if the groin area becomes swollen, tender, if red streaks appear, or if the lymph nodes become swollen.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Is Yeast Vaginitis Related to Hay Fever?
- Is There a Diet That Can Control or Prevent Yeast Vaginitis?
- Can Yeast Infection Cause Low Back Pain?
- What Causes Yeast Infections (Vaginitis)?
- What Is Yeast Supposed to Look Like?
- How to Get Rid of Nail Fungus
- Does Stress Cause Yeast Infection?
- Does Douching Cause Yeast Infections?
Medications & Supplements
From 
Infectious Disease Resources
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.