GENERIC NAME: clotrimazole

BRAND NAME: Lotrimin, Mycelex

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal medication related to fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), and miconazole (Micatin, Monistat). It is used topically on the skin, inserted vaginally or allowed to dissolve in the mouth for local fungal infections.

PRESCRIPTION: yes, for some brands and/or preparations

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PREPARATIONS: Cream (1%), topical solution or lotion (1%), vaginal cream (50 mg per tube), buccal troche (10mg), vaginal tablets (100mg, 500mg).

STORAGE: Cream and solution should be kept between 2 ° and 30°C (36-86°F). Lotion should be stored between 2 ° and 25°C (36-77°F). Lotion should be shaken before each use.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Clotrimazole is used for the treatment of local infections with Candida albicans (e.g. vaginal yeast infections or oral thrush), tinea versicolor, tinea pedis ("athlete's foot"), tinea cruris ("jock itch") or tinea corporis.

DOSING: Clotrimazole cream, lotion, or solution is applied gently to the affected and surrounding skin areas, generally twice daily in the morning and evening. The vaginal cream is inserted via applicator once daily, preferably at night, for 7 consecutive days. The 100mg vaginal tablets are inserted once daily, preferably at night, for 7 consecutive days. The 500mg vaginal tablet also is inserted once daily, preferably at night.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions with topical clotrimazole.

PREGNANCY: Clotrimazole is very poorly absorbed into the blood and the body after application to the skin or the vagina. Studies in women in their second or third trimesters have demonstrated no ill effects. No human data is available in pregnant women during their first trimester. Rats given large amounts of clotrimazole intravaginally have demonstrated no ill effects.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if clotrimazole is secreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associated with clotrimazole are local redness, stinging, blistering, peeling, swelling, itching, hives, or burning at the area of application. All of these are quite unusual, however.