clotrimazole
Clotrimazole lozenge is an antifungal that treats and prevents yeast infection in the mouth and throat known as oral thrush. Clotrimazole lozenge is a troche, or a throat lozenge, that's slowly dissolved in the mouth, and it must be used several times a day. This medication is approved for use in people over the age of 3, but it should be used with caution in people with liver problems. Side effects can include nausea and an unpleasant feeling in the mouth. It isn't available over the counter, so you must have a prescription from your provider.
What is Clotrimazole lozenge?
What is Clotrimazole lozenge used for?
Treatment of oral thrush of the mouth and throat caused by Candida
Prevention of oral thrush for people undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or steroid therapy for cancer or organ transplants
How Clotrimazole lozenge works
Clotrimazole is an antifungal. It blocks yeast (a type of fungus) from making a substance that's essential for the structure of its outer barrier and survival. This prevents the yeast from growing.
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What are the side effects of Clotrimazole lozenge?
Common Side Effects
- Changes to liver lab test results (15%)
Other Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unpleasant feeling in the mouth
- Itching
Source: DailyMed
The following 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.
Pros and cons of Clotrimazole lozenge
Pros
Good at treating mild oral thrush
Very few side effects
Good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills
Cons
Has to be taken multiple times a day
Takes about 30 minutes to fully dissolve in your mouth
Might cause changes to liver labs, which can suggest liver problems
Pharmacist tips for Clotrimazole lozenge
It's very important to let the clotrimazole lozenge melt slowly in your mouth. Don't chew, break, crush, or swallow it whole.
It takes about 30 minutes for the clotrimazole lozenge to completely dissolve in your mouth. Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth during this time so it doesn't interfere with how well the medication dissolves.
Finish all of the clotrimazole lozenges your healthcare provider prescribed for you, even if you start to feel better. There's a risk for oral thrush to appear or come back if you stop taking the clotrimazole lozenges too soon.
Keep your prescription bottle containing the clotrimazole lozenges away from water and other liquids. Any sort of moisture can make the lozenges dissolve. It's best to keep your clotrimazole lozenges in the bottle that your pharmacy gave you. This will help keep the lozenges as dry as possible.
Nausea and vomiting are possible side effects of clotrimazole lozenges. Try taking your dose right after you finish a meal or a snack to help lessen any nausea or vomiting that you might have from the clotrimazole lozenges.
Frequently asked questions about Clotrimazole lozenge
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What are the risks and warnings for Clotrimazole lozenge?
Clotrimazole lozenge 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.
Liver problems
Risk factors: History of liver problems
Changes in liver function tests (LFTs) — blood test results that tell you about the health of your liver — can happen while you're taking clotrimazole lozenges. These changes are usually small, and it's not clear whether they're caused by clotrimazole, other medications, or your medical conditions.
It might be more likely to have abnormal liver labs if you already have or have had liver problems in the past. If you have or have had liver problems, your provider might check your LFTs while you're using clotrimazole lozenges to make sure your liver isn't harmed.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel tired, have stomach pain, vomit, have dark urine, or develop yellow skin or eyes because these can be signs of liver damage.
Clotrimazole lozenge dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 70 lozenges | $33.20 | $0.47 |
Typical dosing for Clotrimazole lozenge
Treatment of oral thrush: The typical dose is 10 mg (1 lozenge) dissolved slowly in the mouth 5 times a day for 14 days.
Prevention of oral thrush: The typical dose is 10 mg (1 lozenge) dissolved slowly in the mouth 3 times a day. You'll typically continue taking clotrimazole lozenges until you've completed chemotherapy or radiation or until you've reached a stable (maintenance) dose of steroids.
Interactions between Clotrimazole lozenge and other drugs
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 lozenge cost?
What are alternatives to Clotrimazole lozenge?
Treatment of oral thrush of the mouth and throat caused by Candida
Prevention of oral thrush for people undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or steroid therapy for cancer or organ transplants
Oral thrush of the mouth and throat (oral suspension only)
Treatment of infections caused by Candida:
Prevention of Candida fungal infections for people having a bone marrow transplant
What is the latest news about Clotrimazole lozenge?
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References
Best studies we foundAmerican Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). How to treat thrush during pregnancy.
Khatter, N. J., et al. (2023). Clotrimazole. StatPearls.
Padagis US LLC. (2022). Clotrimazole lozenge [package insert]. DailyMed.
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