Clotrimazole

1 medicine

Clotrimazole is a topical antifungal for athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch and vaginal thrush. Very little is absorbed through the skin, but an infection that does not improve or keeps coming back needs medical review rather than repeated self-treatment.

Lotrisone

Betamethasone, Clotrimazole

10g

Lotrisone is a antifungals medication containing Betamethasone + Clotrimazole, available as 10g tubes.

from $6.06 / tube View

Key facts

  • Clotrimazole is a topical antifungal, and in lozenge form an oral one, used for common fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes.
  • Creams are usually applied 2 to 3 times daily for 1 to 4 weeks depending on the infection; oral lozenges for thrush must dissolve slowly in the mouth over about 20 minutes and should not be chewed or swallowed whole.
  • Very little clotrimazole passes into the bloodstream, so it is one of the safer antifungals, but an infection that does not improve or keeps recurring despite treatment needs medical review rather than repeated self-treatment, since it can point to an underlying condition such as diabetes or a weakened immune system.
  • Seek urgent care for a spreading rash with fever, or swelling of the face or throat.

What clotrimazole treats

Clotrimazole treats athlete's foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris), ringworm (tinea corporis), vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis), and, as an oral lozenge, thrush of the mouth and throat.

How clotrimazole works

Clotrimazole blocks an enzyme that fungi need to build their cell membrane. Without an intact membrane, the fungal cell weakens and the infection stops spreading while your body clears what remains.

Before you take it

  • Do not use it if you have a known allergy to clotrimazole or other azole antifungals.
  • If you have vaginal symptoms for the first time, get a diagnosis before self-treating, since other infections can look similar to thrush.
  • Discuss vaginal use in pregnancy with your prescriber, and mention diabetes if thrush keeps recurring, since better blood sugar control can reduce repeat infections.
  • Do not let the cream or solution get into your eyes.

Side effects

Common effects include mild burning, stinging, itching, and redness at the application site.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Severe irritation, blistering, or ulceration of the treated skin.
  • A widespread rash or hives beyond the treated area.
  • Swelling of the face, lips or throat.

Safety essentials

  • If symptoms have not improved within the expected treatment time, about a week for skin infections or a few days for vaginal use, or if they keep coming back, see a doctor instead of repeating the same treatment; recurrent thrush can signal diabetes or a weakened immune system.
  • For oral lozenges, let them dissolve slowly in the mouth; do not chew or swallow them whole.
  • Keep clotrimazole away from the eyes, and stop if irritation becomes severe rather than mild.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.