Formulary
Clotrimazole: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Clotrimazole clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Clotrimazole: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Clotrimazole clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Fungal infection in otitis externa**
- **Child** (To The Ear): Apply 2-3 times a day continue for at least 14 days after disappearance of infection.
- **Adult** (To The Ear): Apply 2-3 times a day continue for at least 14 days after disappearance of infection.
**Fungal skin infections**
- **Child** (To The Skin): Apply 2-3 times a day.
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 2-3 times a day.
**Fungal infection in otitis externa for clotrimazole**
- **Child** (To the ear): Apply 2-3 times a day continue for at least 14 days after disappearance of infection.
**Fungal skin infections for clotrimazole**
- **Child** (To the skin): Apply 2-3 times a day.
**Superficial sites of infection in vaginal and vulval candidiasis (dose for 1% or 2% cream) for clotrimazole**
- **Child** (By vagina using cream): Apply 2-3 times a day, to be applied to anogenital area.
**Vaginal candidiasis (dose for 10% intravaginal cream) for clotrimazole**
- **Child** (By vagina using vaginal cream): 5 g for 1 dose, one applicatorful to be inserted into the vagina at night, dose can be repeated once if necessary.
**Vaginal candidiasis for clotrimazole**
- **Child** (By vagina using pessaries): 200 mg once daily for 3 nights, course can be repeated once if necessary, alternatively 500 mg once daily for 1 night, dose can be repeated once if necessary.
**Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis for clotrimazole**
- **Child** (By vagina using pessaries): 500 mg every week for 6 months, dose to be administered following topical imidazole for 10-14 days.
Cautions
With topical use Contact with eyes and mucous membranes should be avoided With vaginal use Avoid intravaginal preparations (particularly those that require use of an applicator) in young girls who are not sexually active, unless there is no alternative (in children)
Side effects
General side-effects: Frequency not known Oedema; paraesthesia; skin reactions Specific side-effects: Frequency not known When used by ear Hypersensitivity; pain With topical use Pain With vaginal use Abdominal pain; discomfort; genital peeling; pelvic pain; vaginal haemorrhage
Interactions
**Other interactions (2):**
- Concomitant treatment with vaginal clotrimazole and oral tacrolimus (FK- 506; immunosuppressant) might lead to increased tacrolimus plasma levels and similarly with sirolimus.
- Patients should thus be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of tacrolimus or sirolimus overdosage, if necessary by determination of the respective plasma levels.
Pregnancy
With topical use: Minimal absorption from skin; not known to be harmful. With vaginal use: Pregnant women need a longer duration of treatment, usually about 7 days, to clear the infection. Oral antifungal treatment should be avoided during pregnancy.
Medicinal forms
Powder,Pessary,Cream,Spray,Cream,Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Clotrimazole in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary