Clotrimazole Cream 20g

Clotrimazole Cream effective soothing relief of the external symptoms caused by thrush.

Clotrimazole Cream is used to treat fungal skin infections such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, fungal nappy rash and fungal sweat rash.  It is also used to relieve irritation of the vulva (external thrush) or the end of the penis, which may be associated with thrush.

Most of these skin infections are caused by fungal or yeast organisms.

• When Clotrimazole is applied to the infected area of skin it works by destroying the fungus or yeast which has caused the infection.

If you are unsure whether you (or your baby if treating nappy rash) have one of these fungal skin infections, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to advise you on the best treatment option available.

• clotrimazole is an antifungal agent used in the treatment of fungal skin infections.
• clotrimazole is commonly used in the treatment of athlete's foot, ringworm and sweat rashes.
• clotrimazole should be applied 2-3 times a day for at least one week after symptoms have resolved.

Clotrimazole 

Clotrimazole is an antifungal medicine, it belongs to a group of medicines called imidazoles and is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of fungal skin infections.

Clotrimazole is used to treat fungal skin infections caused by a fungus (yeast).  It acts by breaking down fungal cell walls leading to cell death, as well as preventing the fungal cells from growing and reproducing.

Clotrimazole treats different types of fungal infections including:

• athlete's foot
• ringworm
• fungal sweat rash
• external genital thrush
• fungal nail infection
• rash in folds of skin (intertrigo).

Clotrimazole 1% Cream contains the active substance clotrimazole. It is also used to relieve irritation of the end of the penis (external thrush), which may be associated with thrush.

• They are characterised by sore, red, itchy and often scaly skin.
• These infections are common and can be highly contagious.

It is important that good hygiene measures are practised, such as hand washing and using separate towels, to prevent the spread of infection.  

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About thrush 

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. Both men and women can get thrush, though it is more often associated with women. The medical term for thrush is candidiasis.

What it looks like

It usually affects genital parts of the body – causing irritation, discharge and redness.  It can also affect the skin, known as candidal skin infection, and the inside of the mouth, known as oral thrush.

What causes thrush?

The fungus candida albicans occurs naturally in your body, particularly in warm, moist areas, such as inside the mouth and around the genitals.

It does not usually cause problems because it is kept under control by your immune system (the body’s natural defence against illness and infection) and other types of bacteria in the body.

However, certain conditions can cause the fungus to multiply and lead to infection. You are more likely to be at risk of thrush if:

• you have a weakened immune system.
• you are obese, with large rolls of skin (an environment where fungi can often thrive).
• you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes – as the high levels of glucose associated with diabetes can encourage the fungus to breed; people with diabetes also tend to sweat more, creating a perfect breeding environment for the fungus.

Should I see a doctor?

If you suspect thrush for the first time, it's best to see a doctor for a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms can be similar to those of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Your GP will be able to tell the difference.

If you've had thrush before and you recognise the symptoms, you can treat it yourself with over-the-counter medication.

You should also visit your GP if you have a weakened immune system and you have thrush. This is because there is a risk that a thrush infection could progress to a more serious case of invasive candidiasis. Read our page on the complications of thrush for more information about invasive candidiasis.

Treating and preventing thrush

You can treat thrush without prescription medications. For thrush affecting your penis, ask your chemist for clotrimazole cream or a tablet called fluconazole. For thrush infections in your groin or elsewhere, the chemist can supply a cream.

It's possible for thrush to spread during sex, but it's not an STI. However, both sexual partners may need thrush treatment to prevent re-infection. Re-infection from a female partner is common. Seek advice from a pharmacist or your GP.

However, not all cases are caused by sex, and many cases develop in men and women who are not sexually active.

You can help prevent thrush by cleaning your penis regularly and using a condom while having sex with your partner (if they have thrush).

Avoid using perfumed soaps or shower gels on your genitals, as they can cause irritation. Make sure you dry your penis properly after washing.
Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear can help prevent moisture building up under your foreskin, which lowers the chances of the candida fungus multiplying. 

Side Effects of Clotrimazole Cream

Like all medicines, you may experience some side effects whilst using clotrimazole.

-Itching, rash, burning or discomfort, redness or peeling of skin upon application.  This may indicate that you are allergic to the product.

For a full list of side effects, read the patient information leaflet that comes with this medication!

Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the cream. If you or your baby are allergic, a
reaction will occur soon after you start using it. If you or your baby experience an allergic reaction,
stop using Clotrimazole and tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency
Department of your nearest hospital. Signs of an allergic reaction may include:
• Rash
• Swallowing or breathing problems
• Swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue
• Weakness, feeling dizzy or faint
• Nausea
After you apply the cream you might experience:
• Itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, swelling, irritation, redness or peeling of skin. This
may mean that you are allergic to the cream.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Clotrimazole Cream PIL

Other medicines and Clotrimazole
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including
medicines obtained without a prescription.
Clotrimazole is not known to interact with any other medicines.
As with other creams, Clotrimazole may reduce the effectiveness of rubber contraceptives, such as
condoms or diaphragms. Consequently, if you are using this cream on the vulva or penis, you should
use alternative precautions for at least five days after using this product.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, tell
your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before using Clotrimazole. If you have informed your doctor or
midwife already, follow his/her instructions carefully.

Driving and using machines
Clotrimazole will not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery

Directions of use for Clotrimazole Cream

Clotrimazole cream should be applied to the affected area 2-3 times daily for at least a week after symptoms have resolved.

How to use clotrimazole
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told
you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
If you purchased this product without a prescription, follow these directions closely.
• Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
• If the feet are infected, they should be washed and dried thoroughly, especially between the
toes, before applying the cream.
• Clotrimazole should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected areas, two or three times daily
and rubbed in gently.
• A strip of cream (½ cm long) is enough to treat an area of about the size of the hand.
• The duration of the treatment depends upon the type of infection. Use the cream for at least two
weeks for candida (thrush) infections or at least one month for other infections.
• If you have athlete’s foot, it may help to use an antifungal dusting powder as well. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist to recommend one.
The symptoms of skin infection such as itching or soreness, should improve within a few days of
treatment although signs such as redness and scaling may take longer to disappear. If symptoms
persist, consult your doctor.
Clotrimazole is for external use only.
Do not put the cream in your mouth or swallow it.
If the cream is swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and
Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.
If you accidentally get cream in your eyes or mouth, wash immediately with water and contact your
doctor.
If you forget to use Clotrimazole
Apply the cream as soon as possible, then continue the rest of your treatment as usual.

Do not suddenly stop using Clotrimazole as this may cause the symptoms of the infection to return.

You can help the treatment to work if you follow these simple self-help tips:
• Although the infected area will itch, try not to scratch. Scratching will damage the surface of
the skin and cause the infection to spread further.
• Keep the affected skin areas clean.
• Pay particular attention to drying the skin, but avoid excessive rubbing.
• Do not share towels, bath mats, etc. with other people as you could spread the infection to them.
• Always wash your hands after treating the infection to prevent it from spreading.
If you have athlete’s foot:
• Remember to dry the skin between the toes thoroughly.
• Wash your socks, stockings and tights thoroughly in hot water to remove any shed skin or
fungal spores.
• Change your footwear daily if possible.

Do not use Clotrimazole:
• if you (or your baby if treating nappy rash) are allergic to clotrimazole or any of the other
ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Clotrimazole if you have used a cream containing
clotrimazole or a similar medicine before and suffered an allergic or unpleasant skin reaction. This
may have been a skin rash or itching in the area the cream was applied.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc)
that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing
clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

Other medicines and Clotrimazole
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including
medicines obtained without a prescription.
Clotrimazole is not known to interact with any other medicines.
As with other creams, Clotrimazole may reduce the effectiveness of rubber contraceptives, such as
condoms or diaphragms. Consequently, if you are using this cream on the vulva or penis, you should
use alternative precautions for at least five days after using this product.

The active substance is: clotrimazole. Each gram of cream contains 10 mg of clotrimazole (i.e. 1% w/w).
The other ingredients are: benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetostearyl alcohol octyldodecanol, sorbitan monostearate and purified water.