Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole, sold under the brand name Lotrimin, among others, is an antifungal medication. It is used to treat vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, diaper rash, tinea versicolor, and types of ringworm including athlete's foot and jock itch. It is in the azole class of medications and works by disrupting the fungal cell membrane. It can be taken by mouth or applied as a cream to the skin or in the vagina. Common side effects of clotrimazole taken by mouth include nausea and itchiness. When it is applied to the skin, common side effects include redness and a burning sensation. In pregnancy, topical use, even in the vagina, is believed to be safe, nor is there evidence of harm by oral use, but the latter has been less well studied. Clotrimazole, originally known as BAY b 5097, was discovered in 1969. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication. In 2023, it was the 259th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.