What is Clotrimazole used for? Uses and health effects

This type of medication, often referred to as Canesten, is used to treat fungus.

Among the most commonly used drugs 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 utilities of clotrimazoleas well as the precautions to be taken if we plan to take this drug. In any case, we must always keep in mind that this product should only be used if indicated by a doctor who has personally examined what is happening in the organism.

What is clotrimazole?

Clotrimazole is a drug with Antifungal or antifungal action, ie, it causes the death of fungi that develop in certain tissues of the body. It is therefore used to treat infections caused by these organisms.

It is commonly marketed as Canesten, although it can also be found as Fungiderm, Clotrimazole Canesmed, Clotrimin or Canespie, among other names. There are also Clotrasone and Lotriderm, drugs that combine the antifungal action of clotrimazole with the anti-inflammatory effects of betamethasone.

Clotrimazole kills the fungi by binding to their cell walls and preventing them from preventing them from synthesizing ergosterola cholesterol-like compound necessary for fungi 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 used for?

Clotrimazole drugs 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 forms.

Probably the best known application of Canesten is in the treatment of treatment of candidiasis or yeast infections, especially those occurring in theespecially those that occur in the vagina. Studies show that three out of four women will suffer from vaginal candidiasis in their lifetime, and almost half will have more than one episode. It is also used to treat candidal balanitis, a similar infection affecting the glans penis in men. Thus, these are conditions characteristic of sensitive or mucosal tissues.

Clotrimazole throat lozenges are also used to prevent oral candidiasis in people with neutropenia, a condition characterized by low blood concentrations of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cells needed to defend against infection.

Canesten is also the treatment of choice for dermatophytosis. for dermatophytosis or ringworma group of fungal infections of the skin. Among the types of dermatophytosis for which this drug is used are athlete's foot and tinea corporis, jock itch and cruris.

Another application of clotrimazole is the management of sickle cell anemia. In this blood disease the red blood cells become stiff and take on a sickle or crescent shape, increasing the risk of infections and infarction and greatly shortening life expectancy.

How is it administered?

Clotrimazole is marketed in several forms. Some of the best known are in cream, in ovules, in ear drops and as throat lozenges. throat lozenges. 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 drugs.

If applied topically to treat skin infections, Canesten is used once in the morning and once at night for a period of two weeks to 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 a single use of 500 mg is sufficient. It is recommended to use it before going to sleep, since the best way to ensure that the drug takes effect is to lie down with the legs bent for a while.

Since there are many drugs containing clotrimazole and each one has its own peculiarities in terms of administration, it is advisable to consult the package insert carefully. It is also highly recommended to ask for a medical opinion, especially if it is the first time clotrimazole is used.

Side effects and contraindications

Some of the side effects of clotrimazole vary depending on the application format used; however, many of these reactions are related to dermatological symptoms such as inflammation, redness, redness, swelling, redness, redness and redness of the skin. such as inflammation, redness, irritation, itching, burning, scaling, rash or rash-like symptoms.skin inflammation, redness, irritation, itching, burning, peeling, rash or blistering.

Allergic reactions may include fever, breathing difficulties (dyspnea), itching all over the body (pruritus) or vaginal bleeding, if used by this route. Oral tablets sometimes cause functional deficits in the liver, stomach upset and vomiting.

In some cases may also cause pain in the part of the body where it is applied. If it occurs, this pain appears to be especially severe 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 likelihood of affecting the baby. It is preferable to avoid taking clotrimazole during lactation.

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.