Lotrimin (Topical)

Clotrimazole topical preparations are used to treat fungal infections on the skin.

This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.

If your skin problem does not get better in 4 weeks, or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking it against the benefits it may provide. Here are some important points to think about for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

This medicine has been tested in children, and at effective doses, it has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems compared to adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it might not be known if they work exactly the same way as they do in younger adults. While there is no specific information comparing the use of topical clotrimazole in older adults with younger ones, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies on women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should never be used together, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when using this medicine. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and may not be all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Tacrolimus

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may raise the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs might be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Trimetrexate

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Skin rash, hives, blistering, burning, itching, peeling, redness, stinging, swelling, or any other sign of skin irritation that was not present before using this medicine.

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, consult with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Clotrim Antifungal
• Cruex Prescription Strength
• Lotrimin
• Lotrimin AF
• Mycelex

In Canada

• Canesten
• Clotrimaderm
• Desenex
• Myclo-Derm
• Neo-Zol

Available Dosage Forms:

• Cream
• Solution
• Lotion

Therapeutic Class: Antifungal

Chemical Class: Imidazole

Apply enough clotrimazole to cover the affected and surrounding skin areas, and rub in gently.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes.

When clotrimazole is used to treat certain types of fungus infections of the skin, an occlusive dressing (airtight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) should not be applied over the medicine. To do so may cause irritation of the skin. Do not apply an occlusive dressing over this medicine unless you have been directed to do so by your doctor.

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Since fungus infections may be very slow to clear up, you may have to continue using this medicine every day for several weeks or more. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For topical dosage forms (cream, lotion, and solution): Fungal infections (treatment): Adults and children—Use two times a day, morning and evening.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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