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clotrimazole
Used for Thrush, Tinea Versicolor, Yeast Infection
Used for Thrush, Tinea Versicolor, Yeast Infection
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) is an antifungal medication used to treat certain skin fungal infections. A healthcare professional might also prescribe it for diaper rash. It's available over the counter (OTC) and by prescription as a cream or topical solution that you apply to your skin. You usually use it two times a day for a few weeks, depending on the infection. The most common side effect is skin irritation.
What is Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)?
What is Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) used for?
How Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) works
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) is an antifungal medication. It works by stopping the fungus from making a protective layer it needs to survive. This stops the fungus from growing.
When does Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Lotrimin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antifungal |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription or over-the-counter |
More on Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) essentials
Side effects of Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Skin irritations (e.g., itching, redness)
Less Common Side Effects
- Blistering
- Swelling
- Burning
- Stinging
- Peeling
- Skin cracks
The following Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Skin rash, hives, blistering, burning, itching, peeling, redness, stinging, swelling, or other sign of skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
Pros
- Applied directly to the affected area(s)
- Can treat multiple fungal skin infections
- Safe for both adults and children
Cons
- Need to apply twice daily
- Must use every day for several weeks
- Can cause mild skin irritation
Pharmacist tips for Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
- Apply clotrimazole (Lotrimin) twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Use it every day for 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your infection.
- Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) should only be applied to your skin. Don’t take it by mouth or use it in your eyes, nose, or ears.
- Wash your hands before and after using clotrimazole (Lotrimin). Clean and dry the affected skin before applying the medication.
- Tell a healthcare professional if you notice more irritation while using clotrimazole (Lotrimin). Watch for redness, itching, burning, swelling, or oozing.
- Keep using clotrimazole (Lotrimin) for the full treatment time, even if your symptoms improve. Contact your healthcare professional if your symptoms don’t get better after 2 to 4 weeks.
OTC:
- When using clotrimazole (Lotrimin) for athlete’s foot, apply it between your toes. Wear breathable shoes and change your socks daily to help clear the infection and prevent it from spreading.
- Stop using clotrimazole (Lotrimin) and talk to your primary care provider if there’s no improvement after 4 weeks for athlete’s foot or ringworm, or after 2 weeks for jock itch.
Prescription:
- Stop using clotrimazole (Lotrimin) and contact your prescriber if your symptoms don’t improve after 4 weeks. They might recommend a different treatment.
Risks and warnings for Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Use only on your skin
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) should only be used on your skin. Don’t use it in your eyes, nose, mouth, ears, or inside the vagina. If you think your child could have swallowed this medication, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) dosage
The average cost for 1 tube of 30g of 1% of Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) is $13.97 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 63.07% off the average retail price of $37.83.
Typical dosage for Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
OTC:
- Cream and topical solution:
- Adults and children 2 years and older: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) two times a day, or as directed by your healthcare professional. For athlete's foot and ringworm, use it every day for 4 weeks. For jock's itch, use it every day for 2 weeks.
- Children under 2 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
Prescription:
- Cream and topical solution: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) two times a day, or as directed by your healthcare professional.
Interactions between Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) and other drugs
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Clotrimazole (Lotrimin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Trimetrexate
How much does Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) cost?
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Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) (generic)
$11.02
What are alternatives to Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Clotrimazole (Lotrimin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) images
