Clotrimazoil

Clotrimazole is a prescription and over-the-counter medication used to treat yeast infections of the vagina, mouth, and skin. Clotrimazole can also be used to prevent yeast infection in the mouth in certain patients.

Clotrimazole is both an over-the-counter and a prescription medication. The over-the-counter forms are used to treat yeast infections of the skin and the vagina. The prescription forms are used to treat yeast infections of the mouth and skin. This medication page refers to the prescription forms of clotrimazole.

Clotrimazole belongs to a group of drugs called antifungals. These work by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing yeast.

This medication comes in a topical solution, a topical cream, and a lozenge form. How often this medication is used will change, depending on the indication for use.

Common side effects of clotrimazole include redness, stinging, blistering, peeling, swelling, itching, burning, and irritation at the site of application. Stomach upset and vomiting may occur with the oral lozenge.

Topical cream and solution:

Clotrimazole cream and solution are prescription medications used to treat yeast infections of the skin such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Clotrimazole solution is particularly useful for areas of the skin that are covered in hair and for use in the outer or middle ear.

Oral lozenge:

The clotrimazole lozenge (also called a troche) is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent yeast infections of the mouth, which is also referred to as “thrush,” in patients with compromised immune systems.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

No drug interactions have been reported by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Before using clotrimazole, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to clotrimazole or to any of its ingredients
• have liver disease
• have a compromised immune system
• have diabetes
• drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Topical clotrimazole cream and solution fall into category B. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given clotrimazole, and some babies had problems. But in human studies, pregnant women were given this medication and their babies did not have any problems related to this medication.

Clotrimazole lozenges fall into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Clotrimazole should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

It is not known if clotrimazole crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using clotrimazole.