Cruex Antifungal

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.

Serious side effects have been reported with clotrimazole. See the “Clotrimazole Precautions” section.

Topical cream and solution:

Common side effects of topical clotrimazole cream and solution include the following:

• Itching
• Burning
• Irritation
• Redness
• Swelling

Oral lozenge:

Common side effects of clotrimazole lozenges include the following:

• Nausea           
• Vomiting
• Unpleasant mouth sensations
• Itching in the mouth

This is not a complete list of clotrimazole side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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.

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.

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• how you respond to this medication

Topical cream:

The recommended dose of clotrimazole cream and solution for the treatment of skin infections is 1% cream or solution massaged into the affected skin twice daily for two to eight weeks.

Oral lozenges:

The recommended dose of clotrimazole lozenges for the treatment of yeast infections of the mouth is the use of one lozenge five times daily for fourteen days.  The recommended dose of clotrimazole lozenges for the prevention of yeast infections of the mouth is the use of one lozenge three times daily for the duration of a patient’s immunocompromised state, such as during chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or steroid therapy. 

If you use too much clotrimazole, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If clotrimazole is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.