clotrimazole / betamethasone
Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) is a prescription combination medication containing clotrimazole (an antifungal) and betamethasone (a corticosteroid). It's applied to the skin to treat conditions like athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch. Children under age 17 years old shouldn't use Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) due to the risk of serious corticosteroid-related side effects, such as hormone changes, growth problems, and skin problems.
What is Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)?
What is Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) used for?
How Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) works
Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) is a combination of two medications that treat fungal infections.
- Clotrimazole is an azole antifungal that works by stopping the fungus from being able to make a protective covering. This makes it difficult for the fungus to grow or survive.
- Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is like cortisol, a natural hormone your body makes. It lowers certain chemicals in your body that cause inflammation (swelling, redness, and itchiness) in your skin.
Drug facts
Side effects of Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)
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
- Tingling or numbness
- Rash
- Swelling
- Infection
The following Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Blistering, burning, itching, peeling, dryness, redness, or other signs of skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
Incidence not known
Blindness
blurred vision
change in vision
decreased vision
full or round face, neck, or trunk
headache
irritability
reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
redness and scaling around the mouth
softening of the skin
stomach pain
tearing
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
Pros and cons of Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)
Pros
- Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) cream works better at getting rid of the fungal infection than clotrimazole cream alone alone
- Easier to use a product that's a combination of two medications
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Not meant for long-term use
- Can raise your risk of developing serious side effects (e.g., cataracts, hormone changes) if used for too long
- Not a good choice for children under 17 years old because of steroid-related side effects
Pharmacist tips for Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)
- Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) contains a moderate-to-high potency steroid, depending on whether you're prescribed the lotion or the cream. Only use the least amount of medication possible for the shortest amount of time to avoid side effects, such as skin thinning and irritation. Only use Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) as prescribed by your provider.
- Don't apply other topical steroid or antifungal medications while using Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) unless your provider specifically said it was safe for you to do so.
- Only apply Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) onto your skin. Don't apply it on broken skin, near your eyes, or in your mouth or vagina. Applying Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) to these sensitive areas can cause pain and more medication to be absorbed into your body, which can raise your risk of side effects.
- Before applying Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone), wash and dry the affected areas of your skin well. Make sure to rub in the medication gently and then wash your hands well after you're done.
- After applying, don't place bandages or dressings over the areas where Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) is applied unless your provider has instructed you to do so. This can cause more medication to get absorbed into your body than intended and raise your risk of side effects.
- Make sure to apply Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) for the entire time your prescriber told you to. Stopping treatment too early can cause your infection to come back or be harder to treat.
- Wash your hands well after applying Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) to prevent it from getting in your eyes. If Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) gets in your eyes, rinse them well with water.
- You should begin to see improvement in your symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks of starting Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) treatment, depending on what condition you're being treated for. If not, let your provider know so they can decide whether you should continue to apply this medication or consider other options
- If you're applying Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) to treat athlete's foot, be sure to wear shoes that fit well and circulate air, and change your shoes and socks daily. This will help your infection clear up as quickly as possible.
Common questions about Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)
In clinical studies of Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) cream, people saw their infections improving 3 to 5 days after (for ringworm and jock itch) and 1 week after (for athlete's foot) starting treatment. Additionally, people who applied Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) cream had better improvement in their infection, including higher cure rates, than those who applied betamethasone dipropionate cream alone. The studies also showed that Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) cream worked just as well, if not better, at curing infections compared to clotrimazole cream alone.
If you're prescribed Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) for ringworm or jock itch, don't use it for longer than 2 weeks. You should start to see your symptoms get better within 1 week of using Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone), but if you don't, contact your provider. If you're apply Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) to treat athlete's foot, you can use this medication for up to 4 weeks. But if your symptoms don't improve after 2 weeks, contact your provider.
No, Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) isn't a cream that's used for treating dry skin. Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) contains a steroid and an antifungal, and is only FDA-approved to treat topical fungal infections, like athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch. There are several other medications that are specifically used for dry skin. Ask your provider or pharmacist for a recommendation if you aren't sure which is best for you.
It's not completely clear whether it's safe to apply Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) during pregnancy. Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) contains betamethasone 0.05% cream or lotion, which is considered a medium-to-high-potency steroid. Studies show that high-potency steroids can raise the risk for babies to have low weight at birth. However, other studies show that this isn't very likely. Make sure to tell your provider if you're pregnant before starting Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone). If your provider thinks the benefits of Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) for you is greater than the risk of harm to you and your baby, they'll recommend that you apply this medication to the smallest skin area necessary for the shortest amount of time possible.
Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your provider if you're breastfeeding. There isn't information about whether or not Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) can pass into breastmilk. To be safe, your provider will likely recommend that you apply this medication to the smallest skin area necessary for the shortest amount of time possible. Don't apply Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) directly to the breast area to prevent your baby getting the medication in their mouth during breastfeeding.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)
Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) 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.
Altered stress hormone levels
- Risk factors: Applying Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) to large areas of the body | Applying Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) for a long time | Covering the medicated area | Damaged skin | Liver problems | Children
If you apply Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) to larger areas of skin over longer periods of time, this can cause your body to absorb too much medication. Having too much Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) in your body can cause your body to make less stress hormones. This can affect many important bodily functions and lead to symptoms such as tiredness, nausea, muscle aches. This problem usually goes away after you stop using Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone), but you might need additional medical treatment if it's severe.
Apply Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) only as directed. Don't apply too much of the medication and don't use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Don't cover the medicated area with bandages or dressings unless your provider tells you to do so. If your provider thinks that Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) is affecting your body's hormone production, then they might recommend that you apply this medication less frequently or switch you to a different medication.
Cataracts and glaucoma
- Risk factors: History of cataracts or glaucoma | Vision issues
Though rare, Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) can raise your risk of developing vision problems, like cataracts or glaucoma. Make sure your provider knows if you have any issues with your vision or eyes before you start using this medication. If you start noticing vision problems while you are using Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone), let your healthcare provider know.
Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) dosage
Typical dosage for Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)
- Athlete's foot: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) twice daily for 2 weeks. The maximum weekly dose is 45 grams of cream (or 45 mL of lotion) per week. Don't use longer than 4 weeks.
- Ringworm and jock itch: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) twice daily for 1 week. The maximum weekly dose is 45 grams of cream (or 45 mL of lotion) per week. Don't use longer than 2 weeks.
Interactions between Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) and other drugs
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 not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Desmopressin
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
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.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Aldesleukin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Balofloxacin
- Bemiparin
- Besifloxacin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bupropion
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clonixin
- Desogestrel
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Dienogest
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Drospirenone
- Droxicam
- Enoxacin
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Fleroxacin
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flumequine
- Flurbiprofen
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Gestodene
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Levofloxacin
- Levonorgestrel
- Lomefloxacin
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
- Macimorelin
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Mestranol
- Morniflumate
- Moxifloxacin
- Nabumetone
- Nadifloxacin
- Nadroparin
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Nomegestrol
- Norethindrone
- Norfloxacin
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Ofloxacin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Pazufloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Pranoprofen
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Prulifloxacin
- Ritonavir
- Rofecoxib
- Rufloxacin
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sargramostim
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sparfloxacin
- Sulindac
- Tacrolimus
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Tosufloxacin
- Valdecoxib
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.
- Alcuronium
- Aspirin
- Atracurium
- Auranofin
- Fosphenytoin
- Gallamine
- Hexafluorenium
- Licorice
- Metocurine
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Primidone
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Saiboku-To
- Trimetrexate
How much does Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) cost?
$9.71
What are alternatives to Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)?
Treatment and symptom relief (e.g., itching, irritation, redness) of the following fungal skin infections:
News about Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone)
Lotrisone (clotrimazole / betamethasone) images
