How Long Does It Take for Lotrimin to Work? Plus, 4 More FAQs

Athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm are common types of minor fungal skin infections. Usually, the first step in treating these infections is an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream. Lotrimin (clotrimazole) is a popular and effective choice.

For many people using the medication, a common question is: How long does it take for Lotrimin to work? Below, we’ll answer five frequently asked questions about the antifungal cream.

Note: The Lotrimin line of products includes a few different antifungal medications. This article will focus on Lotrimin cream, which contains the active ingredient clotrimazole.

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1. How long does it take for Lotrimin to work?

Lotrimin starts working about 1 week after you begin using it. But it usually takes a few weeks to fully treat a fungal infection. So it’s important to keep applying Lotrimin for the entire recommended time, even if your symptoms improve. Stopping treatment too soon can cause your infection to come back and be harder to treat.

Good to know: Lotrimin doesn’t work for scalp ringworm. You’ll need to take an oral antifungal for this type of infection. Speak with your provider if you believe you have scalp ringworm.

2. How long do you have to apply Lotrimin?

The length of time Lotrimin is applied depends on the infection being treated. For all infections, the medication should be applied to the affected area(s) twice a day. If you’re treating jock itch, you should apply Lotrimin for 2 weeks. For athlete’s foot, ringworm, or tinea versicolor, you should apply it for 4 weeks.

Keep in mind that there may still be fungi living on your skin even after your symptoms start to clear up. Applying Lotrimin for the entire recommended time (2 or 4 weeks) helps to fully clear the infection. Stopping treatment too early can allow any remaining fungi to start growing again.

If you notice your symptoms aren’t improving or are getting worse after completing the full treatment course, reach out to your healthcare provider. Lotrimin may not be the right option for the infection you have.

3. How does Lotrimin work to treat athlete’s foot?

The fungus that causes athlete’s foot has an outer layer that helps protect it. Lotrimin works to treat athlete’s foot by preventing the fungus from building its protective outer layer. This stops the fungus from growing and ultimately kills it.

Lotrimin works for jock itch, ringworm, and tinea versicolor the same way. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is very similar to the fungi that cause these other infections.

4. What’s the difference between Lotrimin and Lotrimin Ultra?

Lotrimin and Lotrimin Ultra (butenafine) have similar names, but they contain different active ingredients. Lotrimin contains clotrimazole, while Lotrimin Ultra contains butenafine. Both medications work by preventing fungus from building its protective outer layer. But the directions for using Lotrimin Ultra are a bit different from those for Lotrimin.

Lotrimin Ultra only needs to be applied once a day. If you’re treating jock itch or ringworm, you should apply it for 2 weeks. If you’re treating athlete’s foot, you should apply it for 4 weeks. If you want to treat athlete’s foot faster, you can apply Lotrimin Ultra twice a day for 1 week instead. Lotrimin Ultra shouldn’t be used to treat tinea versicolor without a healthcare provider’s OK.

5. Why can’t you use Lotrimin on nails?

Since Lotrimin is an effective treatment for athlete's foot, it’s reasonable to wonder if it also treats toenail fungus. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Lotrimin can’t penetrate the toenails or fingernails to kill fungus.

If you have a fungal nail infection, talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options. They can prescribe an oral medication or a topical medication that can penetrate the nails. Nail fungus can be hard to treat and often requires treatment for several weeks or months.

How to save on Lotrimin

There are ways to save on Lotrimin, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. If your healthcare provider writes you a prescription for the generic version, GoodRx may be able to help you save over 80% off the average retail price. Generic clotrimazole’s price at certain pharmacies may be less than $10.36 with a free GoodRx coupon.

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Written by:

Kristine Foley, PharmD

Kristine Foley is a licensed pharmacist with over 13 years of community pharmacy experience. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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