Clotrimazole works by limiting the growth of yeasts. It used to be marketed under the brand name Mycelex, which has since been discontinued. However, it is still available in generic form in a 10-milligram (mg) large, slowly dissolving tablet (lozenge).
What Is Clotrimazole Used For?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved oral clotrimazole to treat oropharyngeal candidiasis or oral thrush—a fungal infection of the mouth or throat. It is also approved to prevent oral thrush in people who are immunocompromised due to chemotherapy, radiation, or steroid medications.
Brand Name(s): Mycelex (discontinued)
Drug Availability: Prescription
Administration Route: Oral
Therapeutic Classification: Antifungal
Available Generically: Yes
Controlled Substance: No
Active Ingredient: Clotrimazole
Dosage Form(s): Lozenge
How to Take Clotrimazole
Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Follow all the directions on the prescription label. The length of your treatment will depend on the infection being treated.
Clotrimazole is taken as a lozenge, also called a troche, that slowly dissolves in your mouth. When taking the clotrimazole lozenge, follow these instructions:
Let the lozenge dissolve in your mouth slowly over 30 minutesDo not chew the lozenge or swallow the lozenge whole
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions about how to take your medication.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature away (68 F to 77 F) from moisture and heat. Do not store it in your bathroom. Avoid exposing the medication to freezing temperatures.
Store the medicine out of the reach of children and pets. When traveling, transport the medication in your carry-on or your checked baggage with its original label.
What Are the Side Effects of Mycelex?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of clotrimazole troches include:
Nausea Vomiting Unpleasant mouth sensations Itching (pruritus) Abnormal liver function tests
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects are always possible with all medications, but none have been reported for clotrimazole.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have serious side effects. Dial 911 if you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency.
Dosage: How Much Clotrimazole Should I Take?
Modifications
It is not known whether it is harmful to take clotrimazole during pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Clotrimazole can be used while breastfeeding, but it’s best to talk to your provider about nursing and milk production.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For the treatment of thrush: Adults and children 3 years of age and older: Dissolve one 10-milligram lozenge slowly and completely in your mouth; this dose should be taken five times a day for at least fourteen days. Children up to 3 years of age: This medicine is not recommended in children under 3 years of age since they may be too young to use the lozenges safely. For the prevention of thrush: Adults and children 3 years of age and older: Dissolve one 10-milligram lozenge slowly and completely in your mouth; this dose should be taken three times a day. Children up to 3 years of age: This medicine is not recommended in children under 3 years of age since they may be too young to use the lozenges safely.
Missed Dose
Do not change your dose or stop taking clotrimazole without talking to your healthcare provider. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose at its regular time. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at once.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Clotrimazole?
There is no data available on clotrimazole overdoses. The drug is generally well-tolerated and safe, but you should only take the prescribed dose. Contact your healthcare provider if you accidentally take more than the recommended amount.
Precautions
What Are the Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Clotrimazole?
Avoid clotrimazole if you are allergic to it. Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction like hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
If someone collapses or is not breathing after taking clotrimazole, call 911 immediately.
What Other Medications Interact With Clotrimazole?
Certain medications can interact with clotrimazole, which means they can affect how the drug works in the body or cause adverse effects.
Clotrimazole can interact with the following drugs:
Cisapride Xanax (alprazolam) Opioids (e. g. , hydrocodone and oxycodone) Propafenone Zocor (simvastatin)
This is not a complete list of all medications that may interact with clotrimazole troches. Tell your healthcare provider about all your current medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
What Medications Are Similar?
Medications that are similar to clotrimazole include:
Diflucan (fluconazole) Sporanox (itraconazole) Nystatin
Fluconazole
Fluconazole treats fungal infections and works in the same way as clotrimazole. However, it is active in more areas of the body. It fights infections in the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and blood.
Fluconazole also prevents fungal infections in people with a weak immune system and treats a type of meningitis that occurs in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS. It comes in a tablet, liquid (refrigerated), and an injection.
Itraconazole
Itraconazole treats fungal infections and works in the same way as clotrimazole, but it has a broader spectrum of activity. Itraconazole can be used to treat infections in the lungs, mouth, throat, toenails, and fingernails.
Itraconazole can only be used in adults, Clotrimazole can be used in children aged 3 years and older.
Nystatin
Similarly to clotrimazole, nystatin treats fungal infections. It can be used for fungal infections in the mouth, throat, and stomach.
It is available as a tablet and a liquid suspension. When taking liquid nystatin, you need to hold the medicine in your mouth for as long as possible to allow it to stay in contact with the infected area.
This is a list of drugs also prescribed to treat fungal infections. It is NOT a list of medicines recommended to take with clotrimazole. You should not take these drugs together. Talk to your pharmacist or a healthcare provider if you have questions.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Clotrimazole?
Thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans, a fungus that’s also responsible for vaginal yeast infections and diaper rashes. Thrush causes white patches or a white coating in the mouth as well as redness and burning. Thrush can resolve on its own or with home remedies, but in some cases, it requires treatment with prescription medications. This is where clotrimazole comes in.
Each clotrimazole troche must dissolve slowly in the mouth to work. When used in young children, make sure that they understand how to take the medicine and are supervised as they take it. The lozenge is not absorbed through the stomach—it only works in the mouth. It will not treat fungal infections in any other part of your body.
Clotrimazole can cause abnormal liver function tests. Your healthcare provider may monitor your levels. Tell your provider if you have ever had liver disease.
Use this medicine for the prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms improve. Skipping doses can increase the risk of the infection becoming resistant to medication. If you are having trouble remembering to take your medicine, consider setting reminders. Tell your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.
