Clotrimazole

LOTRIMIN

Open Clotrimazole in the interactive console ↗

Pronunciation: kloe-TRIM-a-zoel

Clotrimazole ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Clotrimazole ballicule

Clotrimazole LOTRIMIN mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Clotrimazole mascot
**“Chloe, trim a sole”**

What it isImidazole CYP51 inhibitor; tinea and cutaneous, vulvovaginal or oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Why this oneSpans OTC skin and vaginal products plus prescription oral troches, an unusually broad set of local formulations.

What limits itTroches can raise tacrolimus exposure despite minimal absorption; local burning occurs, and no form treats invasive disease.

Pearls

Vaginal kits pair an insert with external cream for vulvar itching.

Clotrimazole molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole prescription history

Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Antifungals (1947–2026). Clotrimazole enters in 1975 (estimated).

FDA-approved for

dermatophyte and candidal infections

Principal riskLittle; topical

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden1 / 4

Overdose danger0 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk0 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryC

Defining liabilityLocal irritation or hypersensitivity; systemic toxicity is minimal with correct local use.

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

NO BOXED WARNINGS

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Athlete's foot / ringworm	Adult (supervise children)	Apply thin layer BID (AM & PM)	Apply thin layer BID x4 weeks
Jock itch	Adult (supervise children)	Apply thin layer BID (AM & PM)	Apply thin layer BID x2 weeks

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Athlete's foot/ringworm: 4-week course; jock itch: 2-week course

Instructions

Wash and dry the affected area thoroughly before applying
Athlete's foot/ringworm: use daily for 4 weeks; jock itch: use daily for 2 weeks
Not effective on the scalp or nails
Supervise children's use; if condition persists longer than the course, ask a doctor

Available strengths

sol 1 %
cream 1, 2 %
granules 100 kg/100 kg
lozenge 10 mg
drops 1 %
gel 0.01 kg/kg
gel 10 mg/g
ointment 1 g/100 g
+ 10 other marketed forms not shown

Cautions

Discontinue and consult a doctor if the condition persists beyond the treatment course

Pregnancy Undefined

Lactation Undefined

Cost

Clotrimazole (LOTRIMIN)

Strength		#/mo	CostPlus
1 %	sol	per unit	not offered
1 %	cream	per unit	not offered
2 %	cream	per unit	not offered

NADAC is a voluntary CMS survey of what retail community pharmacies pay for the drugs they stock. Clotrimazole is dispensed outside retail pharmacies, so it rarely appears on surveyed invoices.

Generic entry1993

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Self-check

Can clotrimazole troches raise systemic tacrolimus exposure?
Yes, despite minimal absorption.
Does any clotrimazole form treat invasive disease?
No.