The tool is intended for external treatment of fungus. In the instructions for clotrimazole ointment, you can find a complete list of microbes sensitive to the drug. The medicine destroys the cells of the fungus or inhibits growth, which in the end also leads to getting rid of the infection.
Material Content:
Composition (active substance)
The ointment contains an antifungal (antimycotic) medicine clotrimazole. This is one of the first synthetic imidazole derivatives. An antifungal substance is used in several varieties of a soft dosage form (ointment, cream, gel).
The content of clotrimazole in 100 g of ointment is 1 g (1%). Other compounds in the composition play an auxiliary role. Manufacturers use a wax emulsion, petroleum jelly, polysorbate-80, castor oil and other ingredients. Vaseline provides a deeper penetration and lasting effect of clotrimazole. However, in this case, a greasy film remains on the skin, and the greenhouse effect in the heat is exacerbated.
“Ointments” in everyday life are often called healing creams and gels. The main difference between these soft dosage forms is the substances used as the basis, the speed and depth of the “delivery” of drugs to the epidermis and dermis.
The mass of clotrimazole in the cream is 1 or 2 g per 100 g (1 and 2%). The drug contains liquid paraffin, glycerin, cetyl alcohol. The cream is better absorbed than the ointment, but less deeply passes into the epidermis.
Pharmacological action, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Different types and strains of microscopic fungi affect the skin and mucous membranes.Dermatophytes, which belong to the genera Epidermophyton, Trichophyton, Microsporum, as well as representatives of the genus Candida, are pathogenic. The skin and mucous membranes affect T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, E. floccosum, C. albicans, Malassezia furfur.
Candida cause thrush, diseases of the internal organs. According to medical statistics, every second woman is faced with the need to treat candidal vulvovaginitis.
Mycosis of the nails leads to the destruction of the stratum corneum, ringworm on the head is accompanied by hair loss. Yeast-like fungi of the genus Malassezia cause multi-colored lichen, are involved in the pathogenesis of onychomycosis, psoriasis.
Clotrimazole has a fungistatic or fungicidal effect. In the first situation, the drug inhibits the growth of microscopic fungi, in the second - it stops the development, which subsequently also leads to the death of pathogens. Activity depends on the concentration of the drug and strains of microorganisms.
The vaginal cream Clotrimazole, 2% (Germany) has a fungicidal effect.
Dermatophytes and the main pathogens of thrush, strains of the yeast fungus Candida albicans, are sensitive to clotrimazole. Mushrooms, against which the medicine is used, rarely develop resistance to it. Resistant strains of Candida guilliermondii are known, but this is far from the main causative agent of candidiasis.
Clotrimazole as part of an external agent acts directly in the lesion. The medicine accumulates in the epidermis, is not absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes. The part that is absorbed is destroyed in the liver to inactive compounds. Metabolites are excreted by the intestines and kidneys.
Why is Clotrimazole prescribed?
Ointment is treated for fungal diseases, in particular dermatophytosis. Mixed infections (fungi + bacteria) are also common indications. The tool helps well with mycoses caused by yeast, mold microorganisms.
The use of clotrimazole is effective in:
- dermatomycosis of the limbs, trunk, folds of the body, head, area of the beard;
- erythrasma (bacterial skin disease);
- candidiasis of the external genitalia;
- periungual fungus;
- otomycosis (fungus of the outer ear);
- onychomycosis (nail fungus);
- candidiasis vulvovaginitis;
- infectious balanitis;
- pityriasis versicolor.
An external remedy has a number of advantages. The medicine acts directly on the focus of infection. Ointment / cream is easy to use for application to the skin. Unfortunately, the fungus often returns after treatment, since pathogens remain on the feet between the fingers, in the nails.
The advantage of clotrimazole is the ability to use an ointment with this active substance to treat skin fungus, cream - to get rid of vaginal candidiasis and balanitis. In addition to Candida, bacteria participate in the development of thrush. Clotrimazole in this case is useful in that it inhibits the growth of staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, vaginal trichomonas.
The external route of administration of the drug has drawbacks. One of them is the impossibility of precise dosing. In addition, with a busy work schedule, frequent trips, it is problematic to perform the necessary hygiene procedures before applying the product.
Instructions for use of ointment for women and men
The affected area is pre-washed with warm water and liquid soap or take a shower. It is recommended to choose a detergent whose pH is neutral. After the water procedure, the skin is thoroughly dried. Apply ointment / cream, gently rub. An ointment / cream column 0.5 cm long is used for the surface of the skin in the palm of an adult.
Ointment is preferable in the presence of dense and dry scales, plaques on the skin. If you apply the product overnight under a bandage, then the accumulation of clotrimazole in the lesion increases. The cream is often used in case of thrush, acute dermatomycosis.You can apply the product in the afternoon, without fear that there will be a greasy shine on the skin, linen or clothes will get dirty.
Sexual partners must simultaneously treat candidiasis, a contagious urogenital disease.
With candidal vaginitis, a portion of Clotrimazole cream is applied to the swab from a sterile bandage, then inserted into the vagina. The procedure is best performed before bedtime. The amount of funds for one use is 5 g. The course of therapy is 3 days. During menstruation, the drug is not used for vaginal procedures.
Men can also treat thrush with clotrimazole:
- pre-wash and thoroughly dry the inguinal region;
- apply a cream on the head of the penis and foreskin with a thin layer;
- gently rub the product, without pressure;
- apply the cream in the morning and evening for 10-14 days.
With infectious balanoposthitis, the drug is applied two or three times a day for two weeks. To reduce irritation, you can lubricate the skin in the groin with zinc ointment. The average duration of external treatment of candida balanitis is from 7 to 14 days.
Dermatomycosis is treated with ointment / cream for external use for 4 weeks, 2 more after the symptoms disappear. This is necessary to increase the effectiveness of local therapy, complete disposal of foci of the fungus.
During pregnancy and lactation
Clinical trials of the drug did not reveal a negative effect on the fetus or child if the woman applied clotrimazole externally. Nevertheless, the use of cream / ointment is contraindicated during pregnancy in the first trimester. Treatment with this drug in the II and III trimesters will require great caution. It is allowed to use the drug during breastfeeding. It is necessary to consult a gynecologist.
Treatment of acute or chronic vaginal candidiasis with an antifungal cream is most safe in the last trimester. The organs of the unborn baby are almost formed. Topical use of the drug will not cause significant damage to a small body.
Drug interaction
The effectiveness of antifungal treatment reduces the simultaneous use of clotrimazole with nystatin or natamycin. An interaction with dexamethasone gives the same result. High concentration food supplement E216, on the contrary, enhances the antifungal effect of clotrimazole.
Contraindications, side effects and overdose
If there is hypersensitivity to the main and / or auxiliary ingredients, then ointment / cream is not used. Also among the contraindications is the first trimester of pregnancy.
After applying the product, slight irritation, itching may occur. A rash, peeling appears. Clotrimazole destroys the cells of the pathogen, while microbial toxins are released that can cause allergic reactions.
The introduction of vaginal cream is accompanied by a burning sensation in the vagina. Sometimes intestinal cramps occur. These negative effects usually pass with further treatment with the drug.
Clotrimazole is slightly absorbed into the blood from an ointment or cream. A medicine could theoretically be harmful if used too often and for too long. Such cases have not yet been reported.
Analogues of the drug
Imidazole derivatives are similar in mechanism of action. Instead of clotrimazole ointment, analogues in composition can be used. If the medicine is not effective, then doctors often suggest changing the drug, they choose a drug with a similar mechanism of action and indications.
Analogues of clotrimazole ointment for the active ingredient:
- Clotrimazole, 1% (solution for external use);
- Clotrimazole, 2% (vaginal cream);
- Candide, 2% (vaginal gel);
- Canesten, 1% (cream);
- Candide, 1% (cream).
The price of ointment or cream depends on the novelty of the medicine, the base used. Clotrimazole has been around for a long time, and is produced in many countries. The presence of petroleum jelly, mineral oil significantly reduces the cost of the product.The price of ointment Clotrimazole, released in Russia, is 30–55 rubles; cream produced in Romania - from 45 to 65 rubles, in the UK - more than 180 rubles.
Clotrimazole group analogues are bifonazole, isoconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, econazole. Issue funds for external administration and oral administration with these active substances.
Cream Mikozon (miconazole) is prescribed for the same diseases in which clotrimazole is used. Econazole in the composition of Ecodax cream, except fungicidal, has a bactericidal effect. The price of drugs is up to 200 rubles. The cost of an ointment or cream with more modern imidazole derivatives will be higher. For example, the price of Nizoral cream (ketoconazole) is 545 rubles.
Clotrimazole is one of the active ingredients of the combination drug Candide B. The second component of the antifungal cream is beclomethasone. The drug with external use additionally has a local anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect. The cream helps to quickly remove the manifestations of thrush in the groin in men - irritation, itching and pain.
Nystatin ointment contains an antifungal antibiotic effective in candidiasis in men and women. The duration of therapy is from 1 to 4 weeks. Due to the long-term use of nystatin in medicine, more and more strains of the fungus are immune to the drug.
Pimafucin cream contains natamycin, which has a fungicidal effect. This drug is currently most commonly prescribed for candida infection. The price of Pimafucin cream is 345 rubles.
Clotrimazole ointment from the fungus is convenient to use, the drug is practically not absorbed into the systemic circulation. After application, symptoms of candidiasis and dermatomycosis quickly pass - irritation, burning, itching.
It is recommended not to self-medicate. Various antimycotic agents are effective when infected with certain strains of the fungus. The doctor prescribes treatment based on the results of the examination of the patient, the type of pathogen. Self-medication can postpone recovery as the desired result of the effort.
