Clotrimazole Cream 1% 20g
OTC Products
Clotrimazole Cream 1% 20g
OTC Products
Product features
- Helps to clear Fungal Infections Comes in both 20g and 50g tubes Apply 2 to 3 times a day for one week
Overview
NOTE: You must complete a short assessment so we can make sure the medication for this condition is suitable for you.
What is Clotrimazole Cream 1%?
Clotrimazole Cream 1% is a treatment cream for fungal skin infections. It’s a very effective antifungal cream, helping to ease symptoms like itching and irritation as it works to treat your infection at its source. Clotrimazole is a popular treatment as it can be used in adults and children for lots of different fungal infections and can be used alongside other treatments and medicines. If you’re looking for a simple remedy for thrush or other yeast infections, clotrimazole could be the perfect way to ease your symptoms.
What can I use clotrimazole cream for?
Clotrimazole cream can be used for lots of different fungal infections. The most popular reasons why people use this antifungal cream include:
- Fungal sweat rash
- Athlete’s foot
- Thrush, including vaginal and penile
- Ringworm
- Fungal nappy rash
What is thrush?
Thrush is a common fungal infection that happens when the balance of good and bad bacteria in your body has been disturbed, giving fungi called candida the chance to thrive and cause infection. The most common places you can experience thrush are in the vagina, the mouth (oral thrush), and the penis. When you have vaginal thrush, you’ll normally experience irritation, itching, and redness around your vagina, accompanied by a discharge that looks a bit like cottage cheese. Thrush is usually nothing to worry about and can go away within a week when treated properly.
How will clotrimazole 1% treat my thrush or yeast infection?
Clotrimazole 1% cream is an antifungal cream which is part of a group of medications known imidazoles. Clotrimazole works by destroying the fungi, which are also known as yeast, that are causing your infection, wherever they may be. This makes clotrimazole cream an effective treatment for lots of different fungal infections throughout the body, including thrush, athlete’s foot, and ringworm.
FAQ
How does clotrimazole work?
Clotrimazole works by killing the fungus (yeast) that is causing the infection. Clotrimazole kills fungus by causing holes to appear in its cell membrane and the contents leak out. This kills the fungus and treats the infection.
How long does it take to work?
The symptoms of fungal infections, such as itching or soreness, should get better within a few days of treatment. Red and scaly skin may take longer to get better. You may need treatment for 1 to 4 weeks. Keep using clotrimazole for 2 weeks even if your symptoms have gone. This will stop the infection coming back. Talk to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 7 days.
What if it does not work?
Talk to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 7 days. You may need a longer course of treatment or a stronger medicine.
Is it safe to use for a long time?
Do not use clotrimazole cream, spray or solution for more than 4 weeks, unless a doctor tells you to. A fungal infection can become resistant to clotrimazole, which means it will no longer work properly.
Are there other similar medicines?
There are other antifungal medicines that are similar to clotrimazole, including:
- Terbinafine (cream, gel, spray, solution)
- Miconazole (cream, spray powder, powder)
- Econazole (cream)
- Ketoconazole (cream)
- Griseofulvin (spray)
These are all available to buy from a pharmacy.
Will it affect my contraception?
Clotrimazole will not affect the combined pill or emergency contraception.
Will it affect my fertility?
Clotrimazole treatments have no effect on the fertility of men or women.
Can I drink alcohol?
Yes, you can drink alcohol while using clotrimazole.
Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
No, you can eat and drink normally while using clotrimazole.
Can lifestyle changes help fungal infections?
If you have a fungal skin infection, these tips may help:
- Do not share towels with other people as you could spread the infection to them
- Keep the affected areas of skin clean
- Do not scratch the area with the infection as this will damage the surface of the skin and the infection could spread
- Keep the affected areas of skin dry where possible, but do not rub too much with a towel
- Always wash your hands after treating the infection to stop it from spreading
Side Effects
Does clotrimazole have any side effects?
Like all medications, clotrimazole cream can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. These side effects include symptoms caused by a severe allergic reaction, such as:
- Feeling weak, dizzy, or faint
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Rash
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling sick
If you experience any of these side effects, stop use and seek immediate medical attention. Other side effects you may experience include skin reactions, which may also be caused by an allergic reaction, although these will usually be less severe. These symptoms include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Burning sensation
- Rash
- Itching
- Blisters
- General discomfort
- Irritation
- Peeling
If you experience these or any other side effects, speak to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. For more information about reporting the side effects of medication, please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.
Compare
- Miconazole 2% cream
- Terbinafine 1% cream
- Ketoconazole 2% cream
Other
Info Leaflet
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2598.pdf
