From the Guidelines
Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication.
Uses of Clotrimazole
- It is used to treat various fungal infections, including vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) 1, oropharyngeal candidiasis, and esophageal candidiasis 1.
- Clotrimazole can be administered topically, such as through creams, tablets, or troches, and is effective against a range of yeast species, including Candida albicans 1.
Forms and Dosages of Clotrimazole
- For VVC, clotrimazole is available in various formulations, including 1% cream, 100 mg vaginal tablets, and 500 mg vaginal tablets, with treatment durations ranging from 3 to 14 days 1.
- For oropharyngeal candidiasis, clotrimazole troches can be used, typically at a dose of 10 mg orally four times daily 1.
Considerations for Clotrimazole Use
- Clotrimazole may interact with other medications, such as tacrolimus, and its use should be carefully considered in patients with certain medical conditions or taking specific medications 1.
- The efficacy of clotrimazole can be influenced by factors such as pH, with reduced susceptibility of certain yeast species at lower pH levels 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Use treats vaginal yeast infections relieves external itching and irritation due to a vaginal yeast infection PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 21 g Tube Carton TopCare® ... Clotrimazole 3 CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM USP (2%)VAGINAL ANTIFUNGAL • Cures most vaginal yeast infections Clotrimazole is a vaginal antifungal medication, used to treat vaginal yeast infections and relieve external itching and irritation due to a vaginal yeast infection 2 2.
- It is available as a vaginal cream
- The medication cures most vaginal yeast infections
From the Research
Definition and Uses of Clotrimazole
- Clotrimazole is a broad-spectrum antimycotic drug mainly used for the treatment of Candida albicans and other fungal infections 3.
- It is widely used as a topical treatment for tinea pedis (athlete's foot), as well as vulvovaginal and oropharyngeal candidiasis 3.
- Clotrimazole has also been used to treat vaginal and skin infections due to yeasts and dermatophytes 4.
Mechanism of Action
- Clotrimazole displays fungistatic antimycotic activity by targeting the biosynthesis of ergosterol, thereby inhibiting fungal growth 3.
- It has also been shown to have anticancer properties by inhibiting mitochondrial-bound glycolytic enzymes and calmodulin, which starves cancer cells of energy 5.
Efficacy and Safety
- Clotrimazole has been shown to be therapeutically effective in treating various fungal infections, including tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and cutaneous candidiasis 6.
- It is generally well-tolerated, with a low incidence of possibly drug-related adverse experiences 6.
- However, high doses of clotrimazole have been associated with gastrointestinal disturbances and neurological reactions 4.
Potential Concerns
- Recent studies have raised concerns about the unsupervised use of clotrimazole during pregnancy, particularly due to its potential to disrupt maternal and fetal steroid hormone profiles 7.
- Clotrimazole has been shown to significantly alter steroid hormone concentrations in both maternal and fetal plasma, which suggests that it should be used with caution during pregnancy 7.