From the FDA Drug Label
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Clotrimazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that is used for the treatment of dermal infections caused by various species of pathogenic dermatophytes, yeasts, and Malassezia furfur. INDICATIONS AND USAGE Clotrimazole Cream is indicated for the topical treatment of candidiasis due to Candida albicans and tinea versicolor due to Malassezia furfur.
The names of antifungal cream medications are:
From the Research
Antifungal and steroid cream medications for fungal skin infections include clotrimazole/betamethasone (Lotrisone), miconazole/hydrocortisone, and nystatin/triamcinolone, with the most recent study 2 suggesting that these combination products are still widely prescribed despite being more expensive and less effective than single-agent antifungals.
Key Points to Consider
- Common antifungal creams for fungal skin infections include clotrimazole (Lotrimin), miconazole (Micatin), terbinafine (Lamisil), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and econazole (Spectazole) 3.
- Combination products containing both antifungals and steroids, such as clotrimazole/betamethasone (Lotrisone), can provide faster symptom relief but should be used for shorter periods (usually 7-14 days) to avoid potential side effects from prolonged steroid use 4.
- The steroid component in combination products helps reduce inflammation and itching while the antifungal treats the infection, but these products may be less cost-effective than antifungal monotherapy 4.
- Typical treatment involves applying these medications to affected areas 1-2 times daily for 1-4 weeks, depending on the infection type and severity, and it's essential to continue treatment for the full prescribed duration to prevent recurrence 3.
Important Considerations for Treatment
- Fungicidal drugs, such as terbinafine, are often preferred over fungistatic drugs for treatment of dermatophytic fungal infections, as they can provide high cure rates with shorter treatment durations 3.
- Yeast infections, such as those caused by Candida albicans, may respond better to azole drugs, such as clotrimazole or miconazole 3.
- Topical antifungal agents are the first choice for treating Candida intertrigo and other superficial fungal infections, but systemic antifungal agents may be necessary for more severe or widespread infections 5.