Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Community data Updated 2 months ago

Indications

Skin fungal infections caused by dermatophytes (e.g. Trichophyton species), yeasts (Candida species), moulds and other fungi, including skin conditions that have become superinfected with these organisms. Examples covered include athlete's foot and other infections between the fingers or toes, paronychia linked to nail mycoses, mycoses in skin folds, Candida vulvitis, Candida balanitis, pityriasis versicolor and erythrasma.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Clotrimazole works mainly by damaging the permeability barrier in the fungal cell membrane. It inhibits the biosynthesis of ergosterol, a substance essential to fungal cell membranes. When ergosterol synthesis is blocked, whether completely or partially, the cell can no longer build an intact, functional membrane. Since ergosterol directly promotes fungal cell growth in a hormone-like way, this rapid disruption leads to a dose-dependent inhibition of fungal growth.

Though the resulting drop in ergosterol, caused by inhibition of the enzyme lanosterol 14-demethylase (also known as CYP51), is considered the main reason for clotrimazole's antifungal action, the drug also produces other pharmacological effects. These include inhibiting sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase, depleting intracellular calcium, and blocking calcium-dependent potassium channels and voltage-dependent calcium channels. Clotrimazole's action on these targets explains additional effects of the drug that are separate from its antifungal activity.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Clotrimazole should only be used during pregnancy if a physician judges it necessary.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Clotrimazole Cream: Apply a thin layer to the infected areas two to three times daily and rub it in gently. Because it works so well, only a small amount of cream is usually needed to cover an area about the size of the palm. Using Clotrimazole Cream reliably and for a long enough period is important for the treatment to succeed fully. How long treatment is needed varies, depending among other things on how widespread the infection is and where it is located. Recommended treatment duration is about 3 to 4 weeks for dermatomycoses, 1 to 2 weeks for candida vulvitis and candida balanitis, and about 3 weeks for erythrasma and pityriasis versicolor. For fungal infections of the feet, treatment should be continued for about 2 weeks after all signs of the disease have disappeared, to prevent it from returning. After washing, the feet should be dried thoroughly, especially between the toes. Clotrimazole Cream is odorless, washes off easily and does not stain clothing. Clotrimazole topical solution: Apply this sparingly to the affected areas and rub it in gently, two or three times daily.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.