How long should i use clotrimazole cream for yeast infection

What is this medicine?

CLOTRIMAZOLE (kloe TRIM a zole) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat yeast infections of the vagina.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Gyne-Lotrimin, Mycelex

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• frequent infections
• HIV or AIDS
• an unusual or allergic reaction to clotrimazole, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for use in the vagina. It may also be applied to the external areas of skin around the vagina to decrease itching and discomfort. Do not take by mouth. Wash hands before and after use. Read package directions carefully before using. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop using this medicine except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be used in girls as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

• spermicides

Do not use any other vaginal products without telling your doctor or health care professional.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better within a few days.

It is better not to have sex until you have finished your treatment. This medicine may damage condoms or diaphragms and cause them not to work properly. It may also decrease the effect of vaginal spermicides. Do not rely on any of these methods to prevent sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy while you are using this medicine.

Vaginal medicines usually will come out of the vagina during treatment. To keep the medicine from getting on your clothing, wear a mini-pad or sanitary napkin. The use of tampons is not recommended since they may soak up the medicine. To help clear up the infection, wear freshly washed cotton, not synthetic, underwear.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• pain or trouble passing urine
• vaginal pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• vaginal irritation, itching or burning

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

About clotrimazole for skin infections

Although many types of fungi live harmlessly on our skin, some can cause infections. The most common fungi to cause skin infections are the tinea group of fungi. Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection of the toes and feet caused by a fungus from this group. Infections caused by a fungus or a yeast (a type of fungus) can affect other parts of the body too - some examples are fungal nappy rash, fungal groin infections, and fungal sweat rashes. Clotrimazole eases the symptoms of skin infections such as these, by killing the fungi causing the infection.

Although clotrimazole is available on prescription, you can also buy some preparations without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail outlets. It is available as a cream, as a spray and as a topical solution (a liquid which is applied directly on to the skin). The cream is most frequently used but, where large areas of skin are infected or where the area of the body which is being treated is quite hairy, a spray or topical solution may be more suitable.

Sometimes clotrimazole is combined in a cream with a corticosteroid; either hydrocortisone (as in the brand Canesten® HC) or betamethasone (in the brand Lotriderm®). These creams are prescribed when the infection has caused the skin to become inflamed and sore. Canesten® HC can also be bought from pharmacies on the advice of a pharmacist.

Clotrimazole is a medicine which is also used to treat fungal infections on areas of the body other than the skin. For example, it is used to treat vaginal thrush and some ear infections. There is more information about the preparations used to treat these conditions in the separate medicine leaflets called Clotrimazole for vaginal thrush and Clotrimazole for ear infections.

Before using clotrimazole for skin infections

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using clotrimazole make sure that you speak with a doctor or pharmacist:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Although clotrimazole is not known to be harmful to babies, you should only use medicines on the recommendation of a doctor while you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.
• If you are taking any other medicines or using any other creams. This includes any medicines which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine or cream.

How to use clotrimazole for skin infections

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about clotrimazole and how to apply it.
• Wash and dry the infected area of skin before you apply clotrimazole. You will need to use it regularly for a few weeks. Once all signs of your infection have gone, continue to use it for a further one or two weeks, as this will help to prevent the infection from coming back.
• If you are using cream, apply a thin layer and then rub it in gently. Use the cream two or three times a day.
• If you are using spray, use it two or three times a day and be careful to make sure that all of the infected area has been covered by the spray.
• If you are using solution, apply it two or three times a day and gently rub it in. A few drops will treat an area about the size of a hand.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Remember to wash your hands carefully after using clotrimazole, as this will help to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body. Also, use a separate towel to other people until your infection clears up.
• Fungal infections often occur in warm, moist areas of the body. After washing or showering, make sure that all areas of your skin are dried well, particularly areas such as skin folds and between your toes.
• As a guide, infections such as athlete's foot usually clear up within a week or so of treatment, although infections affecting some other areas of the body can take slightly longer. If there are no signs of improvement after two weeks of using clotrimazole, you should make an appointment to see your doctor for advice.

Can clotrimazole cause problems?

Clotrimazole is unlikely to cause any serious side-effects. It can occasionally cause some irritation when it is used at first, and a few people experience mild allergic-type reactions (such as redness and itching). If you experience these or any other symptoms, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store clotrimazole

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

This preparation is for use on the skin only. If someone swallows some of it, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.

This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

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