Clotrimazole (Clotrimazole)
Overview of Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole is imidazole deriative that is a broad spectrum fungicidal drug. Clotrimazole is most valuable for the treatment of superficial fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and yeast like fungi. Clotrimazole is a topically used azole. The requirement for intravenous administration and the toxicity of the older antifungal agents created a need for antifungal agents with a better therapeutic profile. The relatively non-toxic oral azole medications represent the first major advance in this direction. Since their introduction in the 1980s, these medications have played an increasingly important role in the systemic therapy of fungal disease.
Indication of Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole is primarily indicated in conditions like Advanced breast or prostate cancer, Erythrasma, Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous candidiasis, Oropharangeal candidiasis, Orophyrangeal candidiasis, Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris, Tinea pedis, Tinea versicolor, Trichomonal vaginitis, Vaginitis, Yeast infection, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Dermatophytic infections.
Contraindication of Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole is contraindicated in conditions like Hypersensitivity.
Side Effects of Clotrimazole
The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Clotrimazole are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal cramps, Pruritus, Sedation, Burning, Hallucination, Depression, Polyuria, Skin irritation, Disorientation, Contact dermatitis, Elevated serum llipids, Elevated alkaline phosphatase, Elevated hepatic transaminases, Vaginal irritation, GI irritation, Vision disturbances, Chemical cystitis, Hypersensitivity rash, urethral irritation.
Precautions of Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole should be used cautiously during pregnancy. It should be used with caution in patients with medical history or allergies. Self-administration of clotrimazole for longer than 7 days is contraindicated. If there is no improvement in the condition after 3 days, or if the condition persists after 7 days, patient should discontinue the clotrimazole therapy and consult a physician. Topical application of clotrimazole is contraindicated in the children under the age of 2, unless recommended by the physician.