Indication
It is commonly available as an over-the-counter substance in various dosage forms, such as a cream, vaginal tablet, or as a prescription troche or throat lozenge (prescription only). Topically, clotrimazole is used for vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection) or yeast infections of the skin. For vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection), clotrimazole tablets and creams are inserted into the vagina. Troche or throat lozenge preparations are used for oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush) or prophylaxis against oral thrush in neutropenic patients.
Clotrimazole is usually used 5 times daily for 14 days for oral thrush, twice daily for 2 to 8 weeks for skin infections, and once daily for 3 or 7 days for vaginal infections.
Clotrimazole is also commonly used in conjunction with betametha as a topical cream for tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea cruris (jock itch), or tinea pedis (athlete's foot).
Topical and oral clotrimazole can be used in both adult and pediatric populations.
Additionally, clotrimazole may be used to treat the sickling of cells (related to sickle cell anemia).
Pregnancy
Small amounts of clotrimazole may be absorbed systemically following topical and vaginal administration. However, this may still be used to treat yeast infections in pregnant women.
Side effects
Side effects of the oral formulation include itching, nausea, and vomiting. >10% of patients using the oral formulation may have abnormal liver function tests. For this reason, liver function tests should be monitored periodically when taking the oral clotrimazole (troche). When used to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection), <10% of patient have vulvar or vaginal burning sensation. <1% of patients have the following side effects: Burning or itching of penis of sexual partner; polyuria; vulvar itching, soreness, edema, or discharge
Clotrimazole creams and suppositories contain oil which may weaken latex condoms and diaphragms.
Drug interactions
There are no known significant drug interactions with topical clotrimazole. However, with oral (troche) clotrimazole, there are multiple interactions as the medication is a CYP450 enzyme inhibitor, primarily CYP3A4. Thus, any medication that is metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme will potentially have elevated levels when oral clotrimazole is used. The prescribing physician should be aware of any medication the patient is taking prior to starting oral clotrimazole. Certain medications should not be taken with oral clotrimazole.
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