Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication commonly used in the treatment of fungal infections of both humans and animals such as vaginal yeast infections and ringworm. It is also used to treat athlete's foot and jock itch.

Indications and formulations
It is commonly available as an over-the-counter substance in various dosage forms, such as a cream, and also (especially in the case of ear infection) as a combination medicine. In the latter case, it typically includes an antibiotic such as Marbofloxacin, and is applied in liquid form, as ear drops.

Fungal infections can be slow to clear up, so the usual course for an anti-fungal agent is generally longer than the typical 3-7 days of an antibiotic.

Women who suffer from vaginal yeast infections, such as candidiasis, can buy clotrimazole at a pharmacy. In the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean the drug is marketed under the name Canesten. In the US it is marketed as MyCelex and Lotrimin or Lotrimin AF; in Israel, as Agisten, Clotrimaderm, or Clotrimazole-Teva.

In Australia suffers can use 'Clonea Antifungal Skin Cream' which contains 10mg/g of clotrimazole, and should be applied sparingly to the affected area 2-3 times daily. Furthermore it is essential to continue using the cream two weeks after the infection is disappeared to avoid reinfection.



Drug interactions
There is the potential for drug interactions with Clotrimazole if taken orally, as it is a potent, specific inhibitor of cytochrome P450 oxidase enzymes and so may alter the metabolism of other drugs.

Side effects
Occasionally may cause localised irritation of the skin with a mild burning sensation, redness and itching.