Clotrimazole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What drug clotrimazole?

What is clotrimazole for?

Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication to treat skin infections such as water fleas (athlete's foot), a fungal infection that causes itching in the groin, scaly skin, and other fungal skin infections (candidiasis).

In addition, this drug can also be used to treat pityriasis (tinea versicolor), which is a fungal infection that causes skin lightening (tinea versicolor) or darkening on the neck, chest, arms, or legs.

Clotrimazole is an azole antifungal drug that works to prevent fungal growth.

How is clotrimazole used?

There are several things you should pay attention to when using clotrimazole, including:

• Follow all directions for use that have been instructed by the doctor or listed on the medicine package.
• Do not use this medication for more than the recommended dose, for less, or for longer than the recommended dosage.
• Ask your doctor if this medication is safe for use by children and toddlers.

How to use clotrimazole is as follows:

Oral

The following is the procedure for using oral clotrimazole:

• First suction the drug in the mouth.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole.
• Do not crush or crush the tablet. This is because crushed drugs without doctor's instructions can affect the performance of the drug.

Topical

How to treat skin problems with topical clotrimazole are:

• Make sure you wash your hands and clean the target skin area first before using this medicine.
• Before applying it, it's best to wait until the skin is completely dry after cleaning.
• Use your finger, cotton swab, or sterile cotton swab to squeeze out a small amount of the medicine and then apply it lightly to the skin.
• Avoid exposure to heat after using this medicine. Wash your hands immediately after using this medicine to prevent accidental eye contact.
• If you use clotrimazole on your feet, make sure you use non-airtight footwear. Change shoes and socks once a day.

Vagina

How to use clotrimazole as a medicine for vaginal itching in the groin are:

• Clotrimazole cream can be applied to the inside and outside of the vagina.
• Cream is used before bed for 3-7 days, depending on the doctor's prescription.
• Avoid having sex while on treatment with clotrimazole.

How to store this drug?

Pay attention to the procedures for storing this drug:

• Clotrimazole is best stored at room temperature, about 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
• Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.
• Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
• Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist.

If you are no longer using this medicine or if the medicine has expired, discard this medicine immediately according to the procedure for disposing of the medicine.

One of them, do not mix this drug with household waste. Do not also throw this drug in drains such as toilets.

Ask the pharmacist or staff from the local waste disposal agency about the proper and safe way to dispose of drugs for environmental health.

Do not flush medication down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Clotrimazole dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of clotrimazole for adults?

To treat various fungal skin infections, the dose of clotrimazole is to apply sufficiently on the affected skin area and around it twice a day for 4 weeks.

For lozenges, take 1 tablet 5 times a day for 14 days.

What is the dose of clotrimazole for children?

To treat various skin infections in children, the dose of clotrimazole is to apply sufficiently on the affected skin area and around it twice a day for 4 weeks.

For lozenges, take 1 tablet 5 times a day for 14 days.

In what dosage is this drug available?

The dosage requirements for clotrimazole are:

• Cream, topical: 1% (15g, 30g, 45g, 90g)
• Cream, vaginal: 1% (45g, 90g), 2% (25g)
• Liquid, topical: 1% (10 ml, 30 ml)
• Tablet, vaginal: 100mg, 200mg, 500mg
• Lozenges: 10mg

Clotrimazole side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to clotrimazole?

Side effects are rare after using clotrimazole. However, in some people, the side effects of clotrimazole are:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Itchy rash
• A burning or burning sensation on the skin

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Clotrimazole Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using clotrimazole?

Here are some things that you must pay attention to before using this drug:

Certain drugs and diseases

Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently using, whether prescription, non-prescription, supplements, or herbal medicines. This is because several types of drugs may interact with clotrimazole.

In addition, it is also important to inform your doctor about any diseases or other health conditions that you are currently suffering from. It is possible that this drug can trigger interactions with certain diseases or health conditions.

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to certain medications, especially clotrimazole and other antifungal drugs.

Elderly

Several types of drugs have not been tested for safety in the elderly. Therefore, these drugs may work differently, or have the potential to cause different side effects in the elderly. Especially for the elderly, consult the use of this drug to your doctor first.

Is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the equivalent of the POM in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A: It's not risky
• B: No risk in some studies
• C: It might be risky
• D: There is positive evidence of risk
• X: Contraindicated
• N: Not known

Clotrimazole Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with clotrimazole?

Clotrimazole might interact with other drugs that you are currently using. This can change how the drug works, or even increase the chance of side effects.

According to Drugs.com, here is a list of drugs that could potentially interact with clotrimazole:

• aspirin
• cetirizine
• diphenhydramine
• betamethasone
• omega-3 fatty acids
• fluconazole
• furosemide
• budesonide
• vitamin B12
• vitamin C

Can food or alcohol interact with clotrimazole?

Certain drugs, including clotrimazole, should not be used when eating certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking red grapefruit juice while using the medicine unless your doctor allows it.

Grapefruit and grapefruit drugs can increase the risk of interactions. Consult your doctor and pharmacist for more info.

What health conditions may interact with clotrimazole?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have other medical problems.

Clotrimazole overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, call an ambulance (118 or 119) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not use this drug in double doses.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.