Instructions for use of clotrimazole vaginal tablets. Cross-drug interactions. Indications for use: what is Clotrimazole ointment, cream, gel, suppositories and tablets for?

Let's look at the instructions for the Clotrimazole tablets. This antifungal agent, which has a wide spectrum of effects, is used for topical use. The action of Clotrimazole against fungi is due to the fact that the active components in its composition disrupt the synthesis of ergosterol, which is present in the cell membranes of fungi. As a result, membrane permeability changes and cell lysis begins.

Pharmacological forms

"Clotrimazole" has several pharmacological forms, among them:

Tablets for vaginal administration in dosages of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 g. Each package can contain 1, 3 and 6 tablets. The package also contains a special applicator for their administration. Instructions for Clotrimazole vaginal tablets are included in each pack.
Suppositories for vaginal administration in a dosage of 0.1 g. Each package contains 6 suppositories.
1% solution. The solution is packaged in 15 ml bottles.
1% ointment. Packaged in tubes. Tubes can contain 15, 20, 30, 40 g of ointment.
1% cream. Packaged in tubes. Tubes can contain 15, 20, 30, 50 g of cream.
1% gel. Each package can contain 20 g of gel or 40 g.

"Clotrimazole" is produced by the manufacturer in the form of powder, granules intended for topical use, and spray.

"Clotrimazole" in any pharmacological form can be used externally or intravaginally. There are no oral tablets.

Instructions for Clotrimazole tablets for thrush will be presented below.

Compound

The drug contains clotrimazole as an active ingredient. Additional components are: sodium laurisulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate, adipic acid, potato starch, lactose monohydrate.

According to its pharmacological action, Clotrimazole belongs to the group of antimycotics.

Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics

According to the instructions for Clotrimazole tablets, the active substance is an imidazole derivative. The medication is highly active against the most pathogenic fungi that can cause serious infectious complications, such as dimorphic fungi, yeast-like fungi, and dermatophytes.

The mechanism of action of clotrimazole is based on its ability to block the synthesis of nucleic acids, proteins and ergosterol, which is necessary in the construction of fungal cell membranes. As a result, damage to the cell membranes of fungi occurs and subsequent cell death.

Low concentrations of clotrimazole have a fungistatic effect. When the dose of 20 μg/ml is exceeded, a fungicidal effect is observed, which affects proliferating cells and more.

If high doses are used, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the fungal cell increases to a critical value. As a result, the fungal cell is destroyed.

Absorption when applied topically passes through the epidermis. The highest concentration of the substance can be observed in the reticuloderm. Clotrimazole has the ability to penetrate nail keratin.

Only a small amount of clotrimazole enters the systemic circulation. Metabolism occurs in the liver tissue, resulting in the formation of inactive substances that are excreted from the body in urine and feces.

About 10% of clotrimazole is absorbed after intravaginal administration. Absorbed clotrimazole is also metabolized in liver tissue. Metabolites are excreted in bile.

Indications for use of vaginal tablets

As the instructions indicate, Clotrimazole tablets are used for the treatment of blastomycotic infections that affect the vulva and vagina. The drug is indicated for use in the treatment of vaginitis caused by Candida fungi, as well as diseases caused by nystatin-resistant strains.

According to the instructions, Clotrimazole tablets can be used during pregnancy.

The drug is used to treat pathologies caused by clotrimazole-sensitive bacteria that provoke superinfections of the reproductive system. The medication is used to sanitize the genital tract before delivery.

Contraindications for use

The use of tablets intended for vaginal administration is contraindicated if the woman has at least one of the following symptoms:

Pain localized in the back or shoulder.
Diarrhea.
Vaginal discharge that has an unpleasant odor.
Nausea, vomiting.
Increased body temperature to 38 degrees Celsius.
Chills.
Unpleasant symptoms associated with the use of Clotrimazole (swelling, burning, redness, irritation).
Sores, open sores, or blisters located in the vagina or vulva.
Painful sensations in the lower abdomen.
Dysuria.
Uterine hemorrhages, pathological bleeding, bloody discharge from the vagina.
Acyclic menstruation.
Hypersensitivity to any component in the tablets.
Period of menstruation.
Age up to 12 years.

According to the instructions for use, Clotrimazole tablets should be prescribed with extreme caution during pregnancy. They are also used with caution in cases where more than 2 episodes of candidiasis have been recorded over the past six months, there is a history of STDs, sensitivity to imidazole derivatives has been established, or the patient’s age is more than 60 years.

Side effects of tablets

The instructions for Clotrimazole tablets indicate that their use may cause undesirable side effects, including: allergic reactions in the form of shortness of breath, arterial hypotension, fainting, and urticaria. You may also experience abdominal pain, a rash on the genitals, pain during sexual intercourse, a burning sensation in the penis of a sexual partner, pain in the pelvis, itching and irritation of the genitals, vaginal discharge, swelling of the vaginal mucosa, vaginal hyperemia, discomfort in vulva area.

It is possible that headaches, frequent urination and intercurrent cystitis may occur.

If any side effect occurs, you must stop using vaginal tablets.

Dosage, method of use of vaginal tablets

When treating thrush and genital infections caused by fungi, you should use 1 vaginal tablet twice a day for the first three days or 1 vaginal tablet once a day for six to seven days.

In accordance with the instructions for Clotrimazole vaginal tablets, before inserting them into the vagina, you must remove them from the packaging and moisten them with chilled boiled water.

The tablet is administered lying on your back with your knees bent. In order for clotrimazole to work, the drug must completely dissolve. This requires a moist environment, so it is necessary to inject the medicine as deeply as possible. Otherwise, it is possible that undissolved particles of the tablet may come out.

The optimal time to administer Clotrimazole is before bedtime.

It is important to stop therapy before the onset of menstruation, since menstrual blood will wash away the active substances and the therapeutic effect will not occur. Throughout the course of treatment, the use of tampons, spermicides, intravaginal douching and other vaginal products is not recommended.

In order to sanitize the genital tract before childbirth, Clotrimazole should be administered once at a dosage of 200 mg.

The use of the drug in the 1st trimester of pregnancy is not allowed. There are no adverse effects on the fetus in later stages of pregnancy. However, it is important to remember that the tablet is administered using a special applicator, and this, in turn, carries certain risks. This is confirmed by the instructions for use for Clotrimazole tablets. For men with thrush, ointment and cream are used.

Overdose

With local and intravaginal administration there is no risk of acute intoxication. This is due to the fact that only a small part of clotrimazole penetrates into the systemic circulation. If Clotrimazole was accidentally swallowed, then nausea, gastralgia, anorexia, liver dysfunction, and vomiting cannot be ruled out. In rare cases, signs of overdose such as skin allergies, drowsiness, hallucinations, and pollakiuria may be observed.

If any symptom of overdose occurs, the patient is advised to immediately take enterosorbents and carry out symptomatic therapy. It is advisable to perform gastric lavage only if more than an hour has passed since taking a life-threatening dosage or if obvious signs of overdose are noted: vomiting, dizziness, nausea.

With parallel therapy using clotrimazole and polyene antibiotics, such as nystatin, natamycin, amphotericin B, mutual suppression of the activity of the drugs occurs.

Special instructions for the use of tablets

In order to prevent reinfection, therapy should be prescribed to both partners at the same time. The optimal pharmacological form of Clotrimazole for men in this case is cream.

For systemic treatment of trichomoniasis, the drug should be used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, for example, metronidazole, which is taken orally.

The instructions for use for Clotrimazole vaginal tablets do not provide information about analogues.

Analogs

The main analogues of the described drug in the form of vaginal tablets are the following drugs: “Imidil”, “Kanizon”, “Clotrimazole-Akrikhin”, “Candide-B6”.

According to the instructions for the Clotrimazole-Akrikhin tablets, they contain the same active ingredient - clotrimazole. Indications and contraindications for the drug are completely identical to other analogues. The only difference is in the manufacturer.

Price

The average cost of Clotrimazole vaginal tablets in Russia ranges from 40-100 rubles and is directly dependent on the number of tablets in the package and the pricing policy of the manufacturer.

Sage essential extract.

Compound cream 1%: clotrimazole at a concentration of 10 mg/g, cetostearyl and benzyl alcohols, polysorbate 60, synthetic spermaceti, octyldodecanol, sorbitan stearate, water.

Compound ointments 1%: clotrimazole at a concentration of 10 mg/g, polyethylene oxides 400 and 1500, propylene glycol, methylparaben, nipagin.

Compound solution 1%: clotrimazole at a concentration of 10 mg/ml (calculated on dry matter), polyethylene glycol 400, propylene glycol, ethanol 96%.

Compound candles: one suppository contains 100 mg of active substance and base in the volume necessary to obtain a suppository weighing 2 g. Clotrimazole suppositories contain semi-synthetic glycerides as a base.

Compound tablets: 100, 200 or 500 mg clotrimazole, lactose monohydrate, potato starch, adipic acid, sodium bicarbonate, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate.

Release form

gel 1% (pack of 20 and 40 g);
cream 1% (tubes 15, 20, 30 and 50 g);
ointment 1% (tubes 15, 20, 30 and 40 g);
1% solution (15 ml bottles);
vaginal suppositories 0.1 g (package No. 6);
vaginal tablets 0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 g (packaging No. 1, No. 3, No. 6; tablets are equipped with an applicator).

Clotrimazole tablets and vaginal suppositories have an ATC code different from other dosage forms of the drug - G01AF02.

Clotrimazole can also be produced in the form of granules, powder for external use, or spray.

The drug is intended for local (including intravaginal) and external use; tablets for oral administration are not available.

Pharmacological action

Antimycotic.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Clotrimazole is a derivative imidazole .

In vitro shows high activity against the most pathogenic fungi , which can cause serious infectious complications, namely:

dermatophytes (Microsporum sp., Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton sp.);
yeast-like fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida sp.);
dimorphic fungi (Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidicides brasiliensis, Coccidiodes immitis).

The mechanism of action of clotrimazole is based on its ability to block the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids and ergosterol, which is necessary for the construction of cell membranes of fungi. As a result, the cell membranes of the fungi are damaged and the cells die.

At low concentrations, clotrimazole has a fungistatic effect. If the dose exceeds 20 mcg/ml, the drug has a fungicidal effect, and not only on proliferating cells.

When used in high doses, it helps to increase the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the fungal cell to a toxic value and, as a result, the destruction of fungal cells

When applied topically, the drug is absorbed epidermis . The highest concentration of a substance is determined in reticuloderm . It is also able to penetrate the keratin of nails.

Clotrimazole enters the systemic circulation in very small quantities. Metabolized in the liver to inactive substances that are excreted from the body in feces and urine.

When used intravaginally, 5 to 10% of clotrimazole is absorbed. The absorbed substance is metabolized in the liver. Metabolic products are excreted in bile.

Indications for use: what is Clotrimazole ointment, cream, gel, suppositories and tablets for?

What do Clotrimazole ointment, gel, cream and solution help with?

The drug is prescribed for treatment fungal skin infections which are caused mold and yeast fungi , dermatophytes and other pathogens sensitive to clotrimazole.

They are also used as remedies depriving caused by Malassezia furfur, And erythrasmas (causative agent - Corynebacterium minutissimum).

Clotrimazole ointment, cream, gel and solution help: from nail fungus ( , fungal paronychia ), trichophytosis , dermatophytosis , fungal erosion and diaper rash, candidiasis , , , ringworm , complicated secondary pyoderma mycoses .

Indications for the use of ointment, gel, cream and solution include infectious diseases, pathogens that are resistant to and a number of other antifungal agents.

For treatment pityriasis rosea the drug is not suitable because this disease is most likely to have viral or infectious-allergic origin , and can also be the body’s response to a severe shock or nervous breakdown. Clotrimazole is effective in fungal infections .

The use of Clotrimazole ointment, gel and cream with Clotrimazole in gynecology is indicated:

for treatment and prevention ;
for prevention repeated fungal infections of the female reproductive system , which develop during long-term treatment with antibiotics or against the background of immunodeficiency states.

Also, solution, gel, cream and ointment in gynecology are used to sanitize the genital tract before delivery.

Candles - what are they for?

Indications for the use of vaginal suppositories are vaginal candidiasis And genital superinfections , provoked by microorganisms sensitive to clotrimazole. The drug is prescribed to women and, after the onset of sexual activity, to teenage girls.

What are Clotrimazole tablets for?

Clotrimazole tablets are used to treat blastomycotic infections of the vulva And vagina . In particular, the drug is prescribed for vaginitis caused by fungi of the genus Candida (including diseases caused by resistant to nystatin strains) caused by other pathogens sensitive to clotrimazole superinfections of the genital organs , for sanitization of the genital tract before delivery.

Contraindications

Contraindication: hypersensitivity.

Side effects

Allergic reactions.

When applied to the skin, the following side effects are possible:

burning;
edema;
the appearance of blisters;
skin irritation;
tingling sensation
peeling.

Local use for urogenital mycoses may be accompanied by burning, itching, swelling and hyperemia of the mucous membrane, intercurrent cystitis , the appearance of vaginal discharge, increased urination, pain during sexual intercourse.

When applied topically mycoses of the oral cavity Redness of the mucous membrane, tingling and burning sensation at the site of application of the drug, and irritation may be observed.

Instructions for use of Clotrimazole: Clotrimazole for women and men

Clotrimazole ointment: instructions for use. How to apply Clotrimazole ointment for men?

Before applying Clotrimazole ointment (Acri or other manufacturers), the affected areas of the body are first washed with soapy water and dried thoroughly.

The drug is applied to the affected areas (covering small areas of healthy skin around the lesion) in a thin layer from 1 to 3 r./day. and rub lightly.

For 1 treatment of an area the size of a palm, a 5-mm strip of ointment is sufficient.

Regardless of what pathogen causes the disease, treatment after relief of subjective symptoms is recommended to continue for another 2 weeks.

At dermatomycosis the course of treatment lasts from 3 to 4, with erythrasma — from 2 to 4, with - from 1 to 3 weeks.

If there is no clinical improvement after 4 weeks of regular use of the drug, the patient is sent for a repeat microbiological study and the treatment regimen is revised.

Using ointment for thrush in women, it helps block the spread of fungal cells and, when higher doses are prescribed, ensures their complete destruction. For therapeutic purposes, Clotrimazole from thrush use 2 times a day, rubbing the ointment into the affected areas of the perineum.

For men, method of use: thrush and others (candidal balanoposthitis , urogenital candidiasis ) the same as for women.

The ointment is applied to the foreskin and glans penis and gently rubbed into the skin and mucous membrane. Frequency of applications - 2 times/day.

The drug is poorly absorbed into the skin, and its active substance is characterized by the ability to gradually accumulate in the upper layer of the skin. Thanks to these properties, Clotrimazole ointment is highly effective in thrush in men and women.

Clotrimazole cream: instructions for use

The cream is intended for topical use. At thrush And other fungal diseases it is applied to the affected parts twice or thrice during the day and lightly rubbed.

The duration of the course depends on the indications for use and ranges from 1-2 (with candidal balanitis/vulvitis ) up to 3-4 weeks (with dermatomycosis ).

To prevent relapse of the disease, it is very important not to stop treatment for another 2 weeks after the subjective symptoms of infection disappear. If there is no improvement after 4 weeks of therapy, the patient should consult a doctor.

Vaginal cream Clotrimazole is administered into the vagina in portions of 5 grams 1 time per day. within 3 days.

Instructions for the solution

Before applying Clotrimazole, the skin should be washed with warm soapy water (especially the areas between the fingers) and dried well. The affected areas are treated 2-3 times a day. The amount of solution should be sufficient for uniform application to the entire affected surface.

If the skin of the feet is affected, liquid Clotrimazole solution must be applied after each wash.

The solution is the most preferred dosage form for onychomycosis . This is due to the fact that it has the best penetrating properties.

At fungal infections of the oral cavity the affected areas of the mucous membrane are treated with a cotton swab or swab, onto which drops are first applied (10 to 20 drops are enough to treat each ear). Frequency of procedures - 3-4 rubles/day.

After applying Clotrimazole, you should refrain from eating and drinking for an hour.

Clotrimazole drops are also effective in onomycosis caused by yeast fungi. Drops are administered into the ear using turundas: a twisted cotton ball is moistened in the solution and given 3-4 times a day. Place it in the ear canal for 5-10 minutes. Treatment lasts from 3 to 4 weeks.

Instructions for the gel

The peculiarity of this dosage form is that the gel is well distributed on the skin and is also well absorbed into it. This allows the drug to be used for treating hard-to-reach areas of the body.

The gel is used intravaginally in the same way as clotrimazole cream: 1 r./day. 5 grams each. The course of treatment is 3 days.

Clotrimazole vaginal tablets: instructions for use

In the absence of other prescriptions, Clotrimazole Acri tablets and synonymous drugs for thrush and others fungal infections of the genital organs apply:

for 3 days, 1 tablet 2 times a day;
for 6 days, 1 tablet 1 time per day.

How to administer Clotrimazole vaginal tablets? Before administration, the tablet is removed from the package and moistened with chilled boiled water. The drug should be administered in the “lying on your back” position with your knees bent.

In order for the tablet to completely dissolve and clotrimazole to work, a moist environment is necessary (otherwise, undissolved particles may spill out). Therefore, the tablet is inserted into the vagina as deeply as possible. It is optimal to carry out the procedure before bedtime.

Treatment must be stopped before menstruation begins. Menstrual flow will wash away the drug and it will not have the desired effect. During treatment with vaginal tablets, you should not use tampons, spermicides, intravaginal douching or any other vaginal products.

For sanitation of the genital tract Before delivery, the woman is given a single dose of 200 mg of clotrimazole.

At pregnancy the drug is contraindicated in the 1st trimester. At later stages, clotrimazole does not have an adverse effect on the development of the fetus, however, the use of the applicator may be associated with certain risks.

Instructions for candles

Candles from thrush used intravaginally. The drug should be injected deep into the vagina, one dose daily for 6 days. A repeat course is possible after consulting a doctor.

Clotrimazole suppositories for thrush and others urogenital mycoses Do not use during menstrual bleeding. Treatment must be completed before it begins.

During pregnancy, the drug in this dosage form is used from the 2nd trimester and in situations where the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the possible risks to the fetus.

Reviews suggest that the drug quickly destroys fungal colonies and eliminates the unpleasant symptoms of mycoses. Its other advantages include low price and a large selection of dosage forms.

Overdose

When applied to the skin and intravaginally, there is no risk of acute intoxication, since clotrimazole enters the systemic circulation in very small quantities.

In case of accidental ingestion of Clotrimazole, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, gastralgia, and liver dysfunction are possible. In rare cases, pollakiuria, hallucinations, drowsiness, and allergic skin reactions are observed.

In this case, the patient is prescribed enterosorbents and symptomatic treatment. Gastric lavage is performed in situations where a life-threatening dose was taken within the previous hour, as well as in the presence of visible symptoms of an overdose (nausea, dizziness, vomiting).

Interaction

When used simultaneously with polyene antibiotics ( , , ) drugs mutually suppress each other's activity.

Terms of sale

Over the counter.

Storage conditions

Protect from moisture and light. Storage temperature should not exceed 25°C. Freezing of cream, gel, ointment or solution is not allowed.

Best before date

Suppositories, cream, solution, gel and vaginal tablets are suitable for use for 3 years after the date of issue. The shelf life for the ointment is 2 years.

Special instructions

Avoid ingestion and contact with eyes.

For mycoses, all affected areas of the body should be treated simultaneously.

The use of vaginal tablets, unless otherwise advised by a doctor, is contraindicated in the presence of any of the following symptoms:

acyclic vaginal bleeding ;
bloody discharge or pathological bleeding from the vagina, uterine hemorrhages;
dysuria ;
pain in the lower abdomen;
open sores, blisters, or sores of the vagina or vulva;
any unpleasant symptoms that are associated with the use of Clotrimazole (irritation, redness, burning, swelling, etc.);
chills or fever with a temperature above 38°C;
nausea and/or vomiting;
vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor;
pain in the shoulder or back.

To prevent reinfection, treatment is prescribed to both partners simultaneously. The optimal dosage form for men is cream.

At in addition to the drug, chemotherapeutic agents are prescribed for systemic treatment ( inside).

Which is better, Clotrimazole ointment or cream?

The choice in favor of one or another dosage form is made depending on the indications. Clotrimazole ointment for women and men is prescribed for diseases that are accompanied by increased dryness and flaking of the skin.

As a rule, these are mycoses of the skin caused by dermatophytes ( trichophytosis , microsporia ), athlete's foot inguinal , erythrasma , pityriasis versicolor , individual cases , Kanizon , fungicip .

Which is better: Candide or Clotrimazole?

Candide is a synonym for Clotrimazole. The basis of both drugs is the same substance, so there are no fundamental differences between them.

Clotrimazole or Pimafucin - which is better?

Main component — antimycotic antibiotic nitamicin . Sensitivity to the drug is predominantly molds and yeasts (including childbirth Penicillium, Candida, Cephalosporium, Aspergillus And Fusarium).

Less sensitive to Pimafucin are Pseudoallescheria boydii And dermatophytes . That is, in situations where the cause of the disease is fungi of the genus Epidermophyton, Trichophyton or Microsporum, the choice should be made in favor of the drug Clotrimazole.

The use of Clotrimazole is less often accompanied by hypersensitivity reactions. Moreover, it is less common than Pimafucin , provokes imbalances in the microflora of the genital organs.

Clotrimazole for children

There is no experience with the use of solution, ointment, gel and cream 1% in children.

Tablets are used from 12 years of age, provided the patient has menarche .

Candles are not prescribed to children.

Clotrimazole during pregnancy and lactation

Cream, gel, ointment, solution, suppositories and vag. tablets during pregnancy can be used from the 2nd trimester.

Strictly controlled studies regarding the safety of use during pregnancy; therefore, Clotrimazole is not prescribed in the 1st trimester.

Clinical studies regarding the effect of the drug on were not carried out in women; no adverse effects were identified in animal experiments.

Clotrimazole tablets and suppositories during pregnancy (in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters) do not have a negative effect on the fetus, but using the applicator can be dangerous.

When breastfeeding, the drug is used with caution, since it is unknown whether it passes into milk.

Being one of the most effective antifungal drugs, Clotrimazole is prescribed for the complex treatment of various skin infections that are caused by excessive proliferation of Corynebacterium minutissimum and Malassezia furfur. Having a simple method of administration and a significant content of active substance in the composition of the drug, Clotrimazole is well tolerated by patients even with high sensitivity and has a small number of contraindications for use.

In the article we will review the instructions for use, price, analogs of Clotrimazole and reviews of doctors and patients about it.

Features of the drug

This drug has the greatest effect in the development of diseases caused by molds, yeasts, as well as dermatophytes and other pathogens that are sensitive to the effects of clotrimazole, the active substance of the drug.

To see what the drug Clotrimazole is, watch the video below:

Composition of Clotrimazole

The main active ingredient is clotrimazole, of which 1 g of the product contains 10 mg (meaning 100% dry matter). Auxiliary components include the following:

polyethylene glycol cetostearyl ether;
propylene glycol;
cetostearyl alcohol;
polyethylene glycol 400;
proxanol 268.

Externally, the drug is an ointment that is white in color, has a uniform consistency, and has a slight specific medicinal odor.

Dosage forms

The drug is offered for sale in the form of aluminum tubes with bouchons that have an internal varnish coating that is approved for use. The tube with a leaflet describing the composition and method of use is contained in a cardboard package.

Clotrimazole is also sold in the following forms:

vaginal tablets, having the appearance of a parallelepiped with slightly rounded corners. They contain 100 mg of active substance. There are 6 pieces in the blister;
ointment (cream), having a white color and uniform consistency, for external use. The active substance in the ointment is 10 mg per 1 g of ointment. The ointment is packaged in tubes of 30 g, 20 g. Vaginal cream 2% is offered in tubes of 50 g;
solution, also used for outdoor use. The solution (1%) is packaged in orange bottles and their volume can be 15 or 30 ml.

The cost of the drug may vary: vaginal pharmacies offer tablets at a price from 35 to 60 rubles. A solution of various volumes costs from 96 to 123 rubles per bottle, and ointment, also depending on the volume of the tube, costs 180-215 rubles.

Pharmacological action

A special feature of Clotrimazole is its rapid penetration into the upper layer of the epidermis and the immediate onset of action on yeast fungi. At the same time, the rate of reproduction of fungi is sharply limited, the possibility for their further spread is reduced, and improvements in the condition of the skin appear.

Pharmacodynamics

Clotrimazole, penetrating into the skin within 30-45 minutes after its application, destroys the cell membranes of fungi, preventing the absorption of nutrients from the environment. Without a negative effect on the composition of the blood, the drug penetrates into all layers of the epidermis and has a detrimental effect on the colonies of Corynebacterium minutissimum and Malassezia furfur.

Pharmacokinetics

Due to the rapid rate of absorption of the active substance of the drug into the skin, the fastest possible effect on the cause of the disease occurs: the skin is cleansed, its surface is smoothed and functions are restored.

The breakdown products of the drug are eliminated by the kidneys. No negative effects on the body when the product is absorbed in the absence of increased sensitivity of the skin to the components of Clotrimazole.

The active substance can penetrate the tissues of the placenta and enter the fetus; for this reason, careful administration of Clotrimazole is required during pregnancy or when pregnancy is suspected. The drug can be used by pregnant women in cases where its benefits outweigh the likely negative consequences for the fetus. When breastfeeding, Clotrimazole is prescribed as needed; Before feeding, the mammary glands should be thoroughly wiped to prevent the drug from entering the newborn’s body.

What, besides fungus, does Clotrimazole help with, this video will tell you:

Indications

Clotrimazole is prescribed for many lesions of the upper layer of skin. Due to the high activity of the active substance, it has a rapid effect on the foci of infection and a noticeable improvement in the condition of the skin within 1.5-2 weeks from the start of use of the product.

The drug is prescribed in the presence of the following diseases and conditions:

skin infections that are caused by mold, yeast and other fungi, as well as dermatophytes and other types of pathogens;
diseases that arise in the layers of the skin under the influence of excessively active reproduction of Corynebacterium minutissimum (erythrasma) and Malassezia furfur (multi-colored);
for the treatment of inflammation;
during treatment.

Usually the drug is recommended by a dermatologist, who, when drawing up a treatment regimen, takes into account the general condition of the body, the presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, however, Clotrimazole is sold in pharmacies without the need to present a prescription, which allows it to be used independently in the presence of severe skin lesions. In this case, it is mandatory to carefully study the attached instructions.

Instructions

Before using the antifungal drug in question, you should thoroughly clean the surface of the affected skin using soap and plenty of water. The pH value should be neutral. After this, dry the skin and apply ointment (cream) to the affected areas, which is distributed evenly over it. The amount of ointment depends on the area of the lesion.

After application, the ointment should be lightly rubbed in: this will allow it to be absorbed faster and increase the effect of the active substance. The first signs of improvement in skin condition usually begin to appear after 1.5-2 weeks from the start of treatment. Also, the final effect depends on the degree of skin damage and its sensitivity to the active substance.

After the first signs of improvement appear, it is recommended to continue using the drug for another two weeks to consolidate the effect.

Depending on the type of disease, the duration of treatment is prescribed:

for lichen versicolor, the ointment is used for 1-3 weeks;
for dermatomycosis of various origins - 3-4 weeks;
When treating erythrasma, 2.5-4 weeks of using Clotrimazole is usually sufficient.

If a pronounced improvement in the condition of the skin has not occurred after 4 weeks of continuous use of the drug, you should inform your dermatologist about this and make adjustments to the proposed treatment regimen.

In the presence of liver or kidney dysfunction, the dose of the drug used does not change.

Contraindications

Excessive sensitivity to the active substance of the drug or to its other components should be considered a contraindication to the use of Clotrimazole.
Some caution should also be exercised when prescribing the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects

The most common side effects when using Clotrimazole usually include:

Special instructions

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are special cases in which special caution should be exercised when prescribing Clotrimazole. If there is greater benefit for the pregnant woman than the negative effect of the drug on the fetus, Clotrimazole can be prescribed, but it should be constantly under medical supervision.

Interaction with other drugs

Enhancing the antifungal effect of increased concentrations of propyl ester of hydroxybenzoic acid allows the use of these substances together without reducing the effect. However, Clotrimazole reduces the degree of exposure to nystatin, amphotericin, and natamycin.

When using Clotrimazole in significant concentrations on the affected areas of the skin, the degree of its effectiveness increases.

The cause of genital tract infections is often pathogenic fungi. Gynecological diseases such as thrush (vaginal candidiasis) require the use of an effective drug, for example, Clotrimazole tablets. Among the medications prescribed by a doctor, this antifungal medication has its own significant advantages and some nuances when you should refrain from using tablets.

What is Clotrimazole

An acute infection or a chronic form of the disease can be quickly treated thanks to a drug from the group of imidazole derivatives. Clotrimazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that is available in the form of vaginal tablets, ointments, suppositories and other dosage forms. The active substance, which has proven effective in the treatment of certain gynecological diseases, disrupts the synthesis of ergosterol, which forms the cell membrane of the fungus, which contributes to its destruction.

A similar effect, when the active component contributes to the deformation of the cell membrane, is demonstrated by Clotrimazole tablets in relation to bacteria. By influencing the production of components that are necessary to strengthen membranes, the drug destroys the vital activity of microorganisms that provoke inflammation of the mucous membranes and skin. The main property of the drug will not manifest itself immediately: the symptoms of the disease of the female reproductive system may continue to bother you for several days after the start of using the medicine until it manifests itself.

Indications for use of Clotrimazole

The antifungal effect of the drug is indispensable in the treatment of a number of diseases, and the benefits are significant: there is no addiction and no pronounced side effects. Active against molds, yeast-like fungi, causative agents of ringworm, and dermatophytes, the drug is no less useful as an antimicrobial agent that stops the growth of staphylococci, streptococci, and gram-negative bacteria. In the field of practical gynecology, the indications for the use of Clotrimazole are as follows:

thrush of the genital tract;
trichomoniasis;
genital infections;
sanitation of the birth canal before delivery;
before surgery on the genital organs.

Composition of Clotrimazole

The basis of the drug is the active substance of the same name - clotrimazole. In addition, vaginal tablets with rounded edges contain excipients that form a homogeneous structure. What else is included in Clotrimazole that helps maintain its properties? In small quantities it contains the following ingredients:

lactose;
potato starch;
sodium bicarbonate;
adipic acid;
colloidal silicon dioxide;
magnesium stearate;
sodium lauryl sulfate.

How to use Clotrimazole

An important rule in the treatment of gynecological diseases is adherence to the schedule. Clotrimazole can be used in gynecology intravaginally, i.e. inside the vagina, and both suppositories and vaginal tablets are suitable for this. The standard regimen, which is prescribed by a specialist, assumes that for three days it will be necessary to administer one tablet twice a day. If the treatment regimen provides for a weekly interval, then one tablet per day is enough. It is recommended to administer it at night because the undissolved part of the medicine may be released.

Instructions for use of Clotrimazole

This drug can be recommended by a doctor for therapy once or as a course, the choice depends on the symptoms and severity of the disease. The appointment should be made individually, after anamnesis and examination. If there are no additional instructions from a specialist, then typical instructions for using Clotrimazole to get rid of an infection look like this:

Read the annotation, which indicates the daily dose and permissible duration of therapy. Compliance with the dosage and time period is mandatory.
Before inserting the tablet into the vagina, observing hygiene standards, you should wash your hands.
For convenience, you should take a suitable position: lie on your back, bend your knees. The vaginal tablet should be inserted with light pressure, but carefully.
Lie in this position for a few more minutes so that the antifungal agent is evenly distributed.

During pregnancy

The period of bearing a child for a woman is associated with the risk of unpleasant sensations. Some are considered normal, while others are undesirable effects that the body can get rid of with the help of medications. Against the background of unstable hormonal levels, an inflammatory process, similar in symptoms to candidal vaginitis, is not uncommon. How to get rid of painful discomfort in the lower abdomen and burning sensation? Use Clotrimazole vaginal tablets during pregnancy, but before doing so, be sure to consult a gynecologist.

During menstruation

If in the later stages Clotrimazole during pregnancy is a way to quickly sanitize the birth canal before the birth of a child, then during menstruation the picture is somewhat different. This drug is not considered effective in preventing infection. Since Clotrimazole is not recommended during menstruation, it is worth starting a therapeutic course either before their onset or at the end of the cycle. The effect of the active substance will be minimal due to the risk of the tablet being washed out, so treatment of thrush with Clotrimazole will not bring the desired result.

Overdose

As a way to prevent diseases caused by fungi - an affordable domestic drug. The use of Clotrimazole vaginal tablets for thrush can promote rapid recovery, but regardless of the diagnosis, discomfort, pain, the recommended dosage should be followed. Exceeding the concentration can cause undesirable reactions, worsening the course of the disease. An overdose of Clotrimazole for a woman’s body can result in consequences such as shortness of breath, fainting, arterial hypotension, and urticaria.

Side effects

Even the recommended duration and frequency of use of an antifungal agent does not guarantee against the occurrence of unpleasant reactions. The female body, weakened by infection, will not be able to resist the action of the active substance for long, signaling the occurrence of undesirable consequences of using the medication through discomfort in the genital area and mammary gland. The occurrence of side effects of Clotrimazole is noticeable by the following signs:

soreness in the clitoral area;
swelling of the vaginal mucosa;
burning, itching, irritation of the vulva;
peeling;
rash;
discomfort during sexual intercourse;
burning sensation in the genital area of a man.

Contraindications

When treating a number of diseases associated with the possibility of sexual transmission of infection, each partner must undergo a course of therapy at the same time, but this is not a reason to use one remedy. For some, the therapy will pass without consequences, but for others the drug may not be suitable due to individual intolerance. As with any medicine, you should take precautions or check with a specialist for some details. There are contraindications for Clotrimazole: the use of vaginal tablets should be limited or avoided in the following situations:

age up to 12 years;
sensitivity to the active substance;
menstruation period;
with bloody vaginal discharge (chronic, irregular);
irritation, swelling, rash, blisters, open wounds on the woman’s genitals;
cold, fever;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
back pain.

Interaction with other drugs

An antifungal drug with the same active substance can inhibit the action of other drugs. In the vast majority of cases, this refers to medications for external use, while Clotrimazole in tablets belongs to a different category of drugs. If a doctor has prescribed this broad-spectrum antifungal agent to fight an infection, then, as a specialist, he knows that vaginal tablets with this active ingredient cannot be combined with Nystatin, Natamycin or other polyene antibiotics.

There is also the opposite phenomenon, when taking certain medications can greatly affect the effectiveness of Clotrimazole. Interaction with other drugs in such cases is undesirable, since the recovery process will take time; among such drugs is Dexamethasone. If there is a need to enhance the antimycotic properties of clotrimazole, then adding p-hydroxybenzoic acid propyl ester to the treatment regimen will help achieve the desired result, and the latter must be taken in high concentration.

Analogs

The affordable cost of the domestic drug is one of the advantages of this antifungal agent. Few drugs belonging to its group have the same properties and spectrum of action, and yet there are analogues of Clotrimazole tablets. In cases where it is not possible to buy this medicine at a pharmacy, it can be replaced with similar products containing the same active substance. The following medications are analogues of Clotrimazole:

Candide;
Kanesten;
Kanizon;
Kandibene;
Ganestan;
Funginal.

Price of Clotrimazole tablets

The demand for an antifungal agent is due to its effectiveness, safety, and availability. After visiting a doctor, the question becomes relevant: how much does Clotrimazole cost? It would be wrong to assume that it can be bought in an online store, like a contraceptive from a catalog. If quality is at stake, then it is cheaper to order from an online pharmacy, provided that the medicine or analogues are in stock. The price of Clotrimazole tablets (100 mg) varies, 6 pieces - from 20 to 55 rubles.

Video: Medicine Clotrimazole

Instructions for use

Active ingredients

Release form

Pills

Compound

1 tablet contains: Active substance: clotrimazole 100 mg. Excipients: lactose, potato starch, adipic acid, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate.

Pharmacological effect

Antifungal agent of the group of imidazole derivatives for topical use. It has an effect by disrupting the synthesis of ergosterol, which is an integral part of the cell membrane of fungi. It has a wide spectrum of action. It is active against dermatophytes, molds, fungi of the genus Candida, Malassezia furfur. Clotrimazole is also active against Corynebacterium minutissimum, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Trichomonas vaginalis.

Pharmacokinetics

When used externally, clotrimazole penetrates well into various layers of the skin, reaching therapeutic concentrations. When applied topically, a small amount of clotrimazole is absorbed into the blood.

Indications

Fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by dermatophytes, mold and yeast-like fungi, lichen versicolor, erythrasma, vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, mycoses complicated by secondary pyoderma.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to clotrimazole, first trimester of pregnancy.

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy. Experimental studies have shown that when used in high doses, clotrimazole has an embryotoxic effect. It is not known whether clotrimazole is excreted in breast milk. Although clotrimazole is not contraindicated for use during pregnancy and lactation, the potential risk should be considered when choosing antifungal therapy.

Directions for use and doses

For external use, apply to affected areas of the skin 2-3 times a day for 2-4 weeks. When treating the oral cavity, apply 1-2 times a day for no more than 7 days. Intravaginally - 100-500 mg for 1-6 days .

Side effects

Local reactions: allergic contact dermatitis, redness, burning sensation.

Overdose

The use of the drug in high doses does not cause any reactions or life-threatening conditions. In case of unintended use of the drug (orally), the following symptoms are possible: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, gastralgia, liver dysfunction; rarely - drowsiness, hallucinations, pollakiuria, allergic skin reactions. There is no specific antidote. It is necessary to prescribe activated carbon internally. If necessary, treatment is symptomatic.

Interaction with other drugs

When used simultaneously with amphotericin B and nystatin, the activity of clotrimazole is reduced.

Special instructions

Dosage forms intended for intravaginal use are not used during menstruation. To prevent reinfection, simultaneous treatment of sexual partners is necessary. Clotrimazole is not recommended for use in ophthalmology.