Canesten

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.

Topical cream and solution:

Clotrimazole cream and solution are prescription medications used to treat yeast infections of the skin such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Clotrimazole solution is particularly useful for areas of the skin that are covered in hair and for use in the outer or middle ear.

Oral lozenge:

The clotrimazole lozenge (also called a troche) is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent yeast infections of the mouth, which is also referred to as “thrush,” in patients with compromised immune systems.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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.

Serious side effects have been reported with topical clotrimazole cream and solution including the following:

• Local irritation at the site of application, including burning, itching, redness, and swelling of the skin.
• Fever

Serious side effects have been reported with clotrimazole lozenges including the following:

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

Do not use clotrimazole if you:

• are allergic to clotrimazole or to any of its ingredients

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of clotrimazole, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before using clotrimazole, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to clotrimazole or to any of its ingredients
• have liver disease
• have a compromised immune system
• have diabetes
• drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

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.

It is not known if clotrimazole crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using clotrimazole.

Use clotrimazole exactly as prescribed.

Topical cream and solution:

Clotrimazole comes in topical cream and solution forms and is applied to affected skin twice daily, in the morning and evening, to treat yeast infections of the skin.

Oral lozenges:

Clotrimazole comes in an oral lozenge and is used five times daily for the treatment of yeast infections of the mouth. For prevention of yeast infections of the mouth, the lozenges are used three times daily.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses of clotrimazole at the same time.

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.