What Is Clotrimazole Used For? Uses And Health Effects
Among the most used medications to treat infections is clotrimazole, better known as “Canesten” Clotrimazole is very popular in the management of infections such as candidiasis and ringworm.
In this article we will analyze the characteristics and uses of clotrimazole, as well as the precautions that should be taken if we plan to take this medication. In any case, it must always be kept in mind that this product should only be used if indicated by a doctor who has personally examined what is happening in the body.
Clotrimazole is a medication with antifungal or antifungal action, that is, causes the death of the fungi that develop in some tissues of the body. Therefore, it is used to treat infections caused by these organisms.
It is usually marketed as Canesten, although it can also be found as Fungidermo, Clotrimazole Canesmed, Clotrimin or Canespie, among other names. There are also Clotrasone and Lotriderm, medications that combine the antifungal action of clotrimazole with the anti-inflammatory effects of betamethasone.
Clotrimazole kills fungi by binding to their cell walls and preventing them from synthesizing ergosterol a compound similar to the necessary cholesterol that fungi need to maintain their cell membranes.
In any case, as we will see, the possible side effects make clotrimazole a product whose use is risky, so its consumption must be indicated and supervised by a specialist.
What is it for?
Clotrimazole medications are used to treat fungal infections of various types. Depending on the location of the infection, we will use one or another of the available formats.
Probably the best known application of Canesten is treatment of candidiasis or yeast infections, especially those that occur in the vagina. Studies say that three out of four women will suffer from vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime, and almost half will have more than one episode. It is also used to treat candidal balanitis, a similar infection that affects the glans of men. Thus, these are characteristic conditions of sensitive tissues or those with mucosa.
Clotrimazole throat lozenges are also used to prevent oral candidiasis in people with neutropenia, a disease characterized by low blood concentrations of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cells, necessary for defense against infections.
Canesten is also the treatment of choice for dermatophytosis or ringworm, a group of fungal skin infections. Among the types of dermatophytosis for which this medication is used are athlete’s foot and tinea corporis, jock and cruris.
Another application of clotrimazole is the management of sickle cell anemia. In this blood disease, red blood cells become rigid and take on a sickle or crescent shape, increasing the risk of infections and heart attack and greatly shortening life expectancy.
How is it administered?
Clotrimazole is marketed in several formats. Some of the best known are in cream, in suppositories, in ear drops and as pills for the throat. Each of these variants of clotrimazole is used to treat certain infections, and many of them have their own trade name, although “Canesten” is shared by several medications.
If applied topically to treat skin infections, Canesten is used once in the morning and once in the evening for between two weeks and two months. Throat lozenges are taken five times a day for two weeks.
In case of vaginal infection clotrimazole is applied only once a day. The 100 mg dose is administered for six days, while 500 mg with a single use is sufficient. It is recommended to use it before going to sleep, since the best way to ensure that the medicine takes effect is to lie down with your legs bent for a while.
Since there are many medications with clotrimazole and each one has its peculiarities regarding administration, it is advisable to consult the leaflet carefully. It is also highly recommended to seek medical advice, especially if it is the first time using clotrimazole.
Side effects and contraindications
Some of the side effects of clotrimazole vary depending on the application format we use; However, many of these reactions are related to dermatological symptoms. such as inflammation, redness, irritation, itching, burning peeling, rash or blisters on the skin.
Allergic reactions may include fever, breathing difficulties (dyspnea), itching all over the body (pruritus) or vaginal bleeding, if used this way. Oral pills sometimes cause functional deficits in the liver, stomach upset, and vomiting.
Sometimes can also cause pain on the part of the body where it is applied. If it occurs, this pain appears to be especially intense in cases of ear infection.
Canesten does not appear to carry risks if used during pregnancy, although it is recommended that it be applied directly with the finger in case of vaginal infections that occur. during the last weeks of pregnancy to minimize the chance of it affecting the baby. It is preferable to avoid the consumption of clotrimazole during breastfeeding.
It is especially important to consult a doctor before using Canesten if we have diabetes, liver problems or immune diseases such as HIV, as well as if we are using other medication, especially antibiotics. It is not recommended to combine clotrimazole with alcohol.
