Clotrimazole is an antifungal medicine.
It's used to treat yeast infections, including thrush in men and women, although thrush is more common in women.
Thrush is caused by a fungus (yeast) and can affect the vagina, the area around the vagina, breasts and nipples or the end of the penis. It can also affect other areas of skin, such as the armpits, top of the inner thighs (groin) and between the fingers. Clotrimazole works by killing the fungus (yeast) that is causing the infection.
Clotrimazole comes as an external cream, an internal cream and a tablet you insert into your vagina (pessary).
For vaginal thrush you can use either pessaries or cream, or both at the same time. The pessaries and internal cream are sometimes sold together.
For thrush on the penis, breasts, armpits, groin or between the fingers you would use the external cream.
Some Canesten products combine clotrimazole with other medicines. These include Canesten Thrush Duo Oral Capsule and External Cream. The capsule contains fluconazole, and Canesten cream contains clotrimazole.
Clotrimazole for thrush is available to buy in pharmacies and shops. Some stronger treatments are only available with a prescription.
Clotrimazole is also available as a cream, spray and solution to treat other fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworm and nappy rash.
Key facts
- Clotrimazole works by killing the yeast that causes the fungal infection.
- It usually treats thrush within 7 days but it's best to treat the infection for at least 2 weeks to stop it coming back.
- The most common side effect is an itching or burning feeling in the area being treated. Clotrimazole cream can damage the latex used in condoms and diaphragms. This can mean your contraception will not work as well as it should.
- Do not use clotrimazole for more than 14 days, unless a doctor tells you to. The fungal infection may become resistant and the medicine may stop working properly.