Care clotrimazole cream 1% (2024)

What is Care clotrimazole 1% cream used for?

Skin infections caused by yeasts (eg Candida), dermatophytes (eg Trichophyton, Tinea), moulds and other fungi, such as the following:

• Athlete's foot (tinea pedis).
• Fungal infection of the groin, ie jock itch (tinea cruris).
• Ringworm (tinea corporis).
• Fungal nappy rash caused by infection with Candida albicans.
• Sweat rash caused by infection with Candida albicans.
• Relieving the external symptoms (candidal vulvitis) of vagin*l thrush (candidal vaginitis). (This cream should be used in combination with another medicine that treats the infection inside your vagin* - ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about which products to use.)
• Inflammation of the penis and/or foreskin (candidal balanitis) caused by infection with Candida albicans (also known as thrush).

How does clotrimazole cream work?

Clotrimazole kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol causes holes to appear in the fungal cell membrane.

The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As clotrimazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.

How to use clotrimazole 1% cream

▪️ Clotrimazole cream should be applied to the affected area(s) of skin thinly two to three times daily and rubbed in gently.

▪️ A strip of cream 0.5cm long is enough to treat an area of skin about the size of the hand.

▪️ Make sure you wash your hands after applying the cream to avoid spreading the infection to other areas.

▪️ Treatment should be continued for at least one month for dermatophyte infections and at least two weeks for candidal infections.

▪️ Ask your pharmacist for further advice on treating your particular infection.

If you are using clotrimazole cream to treat athlete's foot you should make sure you wash and dry the feet, especially between the toes, before applying the cream. You may also want to use an antifungal powder inside your socks and shoes to help treat the infection and prevent it coming back.

If you are using clotrimazole cream to treat vagin*l thrush it will only relieve the external symptoms of the infection, such as itching, inflammation and soreness. It won't treat infection inside your vagin*, and so should be used in combination with a thrush treatment that does, for example clotrimazole pessaries or cream that are inserted into the vagin*, or an antifungal medicine taken by mouth. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you about which products to use.

Key information to know about clotrimazole cream

▪️ Consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are unsure of the cause of your infection, or you have not had it before.

▪️ Clotrimazole cream may damage latex (rubber) condoms and diaphragms (caps) and so make them ineffective at preventing pregnancy and STIs. If you are using this cream to treat the vagin* or penis you should use an alternative method of contraception for at least five days after using the cream, or preferably avoid having sex until after the infection has cleared up. Remember that having sex while you still have the infection is likely to transmit the infection to your partner, who could then transfer it back to you.

▪️ If your sexual partner also has symptoms of thrush it is important that they are treated at the same time as you to prevent you being re-infected. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

▪️ If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it safe to use clotrimazole 1% cream if pregnant?

Clotrimazole 1% cream is unlikely to have any harmful effects if used during pregnancy because very little of the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream. It has been used by a large number of women during pregnancy without any apparent harmful effects. However, as with all medicines, you should check with your doctor or midwife before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

Read more about using clotrimazole during pregnancy here

Is it safe to use clotrimazole 1% cream if breastfeeding?

Clotrimazole 1% cream is not significantly absorbed into the bloodstream from the skin and it is highly unlikely that any of the medicine will pass into breast milk.

Possible side effects of clotrimazole cream

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here doesn't mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Irritation in area of use, for example burning, stinging, itching, redness, rash, blistering or peeling. Stop using the cream and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have a severe reaction to it.

If you want any more information about the possible side effects of Care clotrimazole 1% cream, read the leaflet provided with the medicine. You can find a copy of this here

If you think you have experienced side-effects you can report them using the yellow card scheme.

Can I use clotrimazole cream with other medicines?

Yes - clotrmiazole cream is not absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream in significant amounts and so is not expected to affect other medicines.

If you are using any other creams, ointments or lotions (including moisturisers or cosmetics) on the same area of skin, you should preferably not apply these at the same time as clotrimazole 1% cream. This is because they could dilute the medicine and make it less effective at treating the infection. Always leave about 30 minutes between applying different products to the same area of skin, to give them time to be absorbed.

Last updated 04.11.2019