Clotrimazole is used against candidiasis, athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections (candidiasis), mouth infections (thrush), and genital infections (yeast infections). It is also used to treat a skin condition, tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor, a fungal or yeast infection causing lightening or darkening of the skin of the neck, chest, arms, or legs.
Clotrimazole is an antifungal agent. It works on direct contact with yeast or fungi.
Fungal infections can be reason for diaper rash, itching and burning in vagina, hair follicles infections, rashes on skin folds, genitals, middle of the body, buttocks, under the breasts, and other areas of the skin. Clotrimazole can be used in such conditions.
Pronunciation: kloe-TRIM-a-zole
Definition: Clotrimazole, is a synthetic antifungal agent having the chemical name[1 (o-Chloro-α, α-diphenylbenzyl)imidazole].
It is an odorless, white crystalline substance. It is practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in ether and very soluble in polyethylene glycol 400, ethanol and chloroform.
It is broad spectrum antifungal agent.
It prevents growth of microorganism.
It is both an over-the-counter and a prescription medication. As over-the-counter OTC form, Clotrimazole is used to treat yeast infections of the skin and the vagina. I such cases the cream or powder is applied or sprinkled externally. The prescription form is used for mouth, throat infections and internal use of vagina.
What is Candida infections/Yeast Infections
Candidiasis (pronounced: Can-dih-DYE-uh-sis) are fungal infection caused by yeasts that belong to the genus Candida. Candida is a species of fungus.
Yeast infections occur in warm, moist parts of the body, such as the mouth and moist areas of the skin, and in genital area.
The candida yeast infection of mouth is called ‘Oral Candidiasis or thrush’. Vaginal candidiasis is called ‘vulvovaginal candidiasis’.
Thrush
In thrush, white patches or plaques are developed on the tongue and other oral mucous membranes. This infection occurs mainly in people with weaker immune system.
Other symptoms of thrush include:
Redness or soreness in the affected areas
Difficulty swallowing
Cracking at the corners of the mouth
Genital candidiasis
In Genital candidiasis, there is overgrowth of the normal yeast in the genital area. This infection is relatively common in women. It is uncommon in males. In males, the Genital candidiasis causes itchy rash on the penis. For male genital candidiasis, the Clotrimazole cream is applied topically.
The symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis:
Itching and burning in vaginal area.
White discharge from vagina.
For vaginal yeast infections, antifungal creams, powders are used. The duration of the treatment ranges from one day to seven days.
Uses of Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole is used topical or intravaginal in vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Infections of the throat or mouth
For infections of the throat, mouth/thrush (fungal infection of mouth), Clotrimazole lozenge/tablet and suspension are used. Lozenge/tablet are dissolved slowly in the mouth and kept for fifteen minutes. The suspension is swished around in the mouth.
Infections of the skin
For infections of the skin, the infected area is cleaned. Thin layer of Clotrimazole is applied and gently massaged on the affected area and surrounding skin. This is done twice daily.
The Clotrimazole Dusting powder is sprinkled over affected areas.
Available forms
Oral lozenges (10 mg): prescription drug used to treat and prevent yeast infections of the mouth.
Vaginal tablets 100 mg, 200 mg, 500 mg and Vaginal cream (1%): prescription drug used to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis. Dosage is based on medical condition and response to treatment.
Topical cream, lotion and solution (1%): OTC, these are applied on athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm.
Dusting powder (1% w/w): OTC, sprinkled on Ring worm, Skin infections, Fungal infections, Athletes foot, Jock itch, Prickly heat, Vaginal yeast infections, Diaper rash, etc.
e.g. Candid Dusting Powder Clotrimazole (Glenmark)
Abzorb Clotrimazole Dusting Powder (Ranbaxy)
Side-effects
- There can be burning, irritation, itching or redness, rash on the skin.
- Oral use can cause upset stomach, nausea and vomiting.