What Causes Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis), and What Does It Look Like?
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the foot that can cause itching, peeling, and burning. See pictures of athlete’s foot and learn how to treat it.
clotrimazole / betamethasone
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm
Clotrimazole / betamethasone is a topical prescription medication used to treat fungal skin infections like athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch in people 17 years and older. It combines an antifungal (clotrimazole) and a corticosteroid (betamethasone) to reduce infection and swelling. The medication is available as a cream or lotion. You usually apply it to the affected area twice a day for a short time. Side effects can include tingling, rash, and swelling.
What is Clotrimazole / betamethasone?
What is Clotrimazole / betamethasone used for?
How Clotrimazole / betamethasone works
Clotrimazole / betamethasone is a combination of two medications that treat fungal skin infections.
- Clotrimazole is an antifungal that works by stopping the fungus from making a protective layer it needs to survive. This stops the fungus from growing.
- Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces swelling, redness, and itching. It works by lowering chemicals in your body that cause inflammation.
When does Clotrimazole / betamethasone start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Lotrisone |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antifungal / corticosteroid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of 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
Less Common Side Effects
- Rash
- Swelling
- Infection
When do Clotrimazole / betamethasone possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Tingling or numbness
Rash
Swelling
The following 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
$45.92
GoodRx discount
$12.83
Pros and cons of Clotrimazole / betamethasone
Pros
- Treats fungal infection and inflammation at the same time
- Available as a cream or lotion
- Only need to use for a short time
Cons
- Can cause skin irritation or rash
- Not approved for children under 17 years old due to steroid-related side effects
- Steroid component can hide signs of an infection
Pharmacist tips for Clotrimazole / betamethasone
- Use clotrimazole / betamethasone for the full length of time your prescriber tells you. Stopping too early can cause the infection to come back or be harder to treat.
- Apply clotrimazole / betamethasone only to your skin. Don't use it near your eyes or inside your mouth or vagina since these areas are very sensitive and side effects are more likely.
- Before applying clotrimazole / betamethasone, wash and dry the affected skin well. Gently rub in the medication and wash your hands when you’re done.
- Don't cover areas treated with clotrimazole / betamethasone with bandages or dressings unless your prescriber tells you to. Covering the skin can cause too much medication to absorb into your body and raises your risk of side effects.
- You should start to see improvement within 1 to 2 weeks of using clotrimazole / betamethasone treatment, depending on what you're treating. If not, let your prescriber know so they can adjust your treatment.
- Clotrimazole / betamethasone can sometimes cause skin reactions, especially if used too long or under bandages. Tell your prescriber if you notice irritation, thinning skin, or other changes.
- It's not known if clotrimazole / betamethasone is safe in pregnancy. If you're pregnant, use it only if your prescriber says it’s needed. Apply it to the smallest area of skin for the shortest time possible.
- If you're breastfeeding, use clotrimazole / betamethasone on the smallest area for the shortest time needed. Don't apply it to the nipple or areola to keep it from getting into your baby’s mouth.
Risks and warnings for Clotrimazole / betamethasone
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.
Changes in stress hormone levels
- Risk factors: Applying clotrimazole / betamethasone to large areas of the body | Applying clotrimazole / betamethasone for a long time | Covering the medicated area | Damaged skin | Liver problems | Children
If you apply clotrimazole / betamethasone to large areas of skin for a long time, too much medication can get into your body. This can cause your body to make less of certain stress hormones, which can affect many bodily functions. Symptoms can include tiredness, nausea, or muscle aches. This usually gets better after you stop using the medication, but severe cases might need medical treatment.
Use clotrimazole / betamethasone only as your prescriber directs. Don’t apply more than prescribed, don’t use it longer than told, and don’t cover the treated area with bandages unless your prescriber says it’s okay. If they think this medication is affecting your hormone levels, they might suggest you use it less often or switch you to a different treatment.
Eye problems
Although rare, clotrimazole / betamethasone can raise your risk of developing eye problems like cataracts or glaucoma. If you notice any changes in your vision while using this medication, tell your prescriber right away.
Clotrimazole / betamethasone dosage
The average cost for 1 tube of 15g of 1%/0.05% of Clotrimazole / betamethasone is $12.83 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 72.06% off the average retail price of $45.92. 
Bottle of lotion
Bottle of lotion| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30ml of 1%/0.05% | 1 bottle | $45.69 | $45.69 |
Interactions between Clotrimazole / betamethasone and other drugs
Clotrimazole / betamethasone 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 / betamethasone. 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 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 Clotrimazole / betamethasone cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Clotrimazole / betamethasone (generic)
$12.83
What are alternatives to Clotrimazole / betamethasone?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Clotrimazole / betamethasone. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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