Clotrimazole is an ointment with a white color, a uniform consistency and a slight specific smell.
Excipients of the drug are: polyethylene oxide-400, propylene glycol, proxanol-268, the drug OS-20, cetyl stearic alcohol. The active substance is clotrimazole.
Ointment is an antifungal drug for topical use. The mechanism of action of this drug is based on a decrease in the rate of ergosterol synthesis, which is necessary when constructing the membrane of fungal cells. Inhibition of the process causes a violation of its permeability and subsequent cell lysis.
Clotrimazole ointments help increase the permeability of liposomal phospholipid membranes, vacuolize the cytoplasm, and reduce the number of ribosomes. Due to the influence of the active substance, inhibition of peroxidase activity occurs. This, in turn, contributes to the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the fungal cell, which takes part in its destruction.
Clotrimazole ointment has a wide range of effects. The medication is effective against dermatophytes, yeast fungi. In addition, it has an antibacterial effect aimed at streptococci and staphylococci.
The drug is characterized by high penetration. For external use in the epidermis, the concentration of the drug is higher than in the subcutaneous tissue and dermis. Clotrimazole ointment is practically not absorbed into the systemic circulation. Due to this, an overdose of the drug is unlikely.
Clotrimazole ointment. Application
The drug is indicated for diseases caused by dermatomycetes, molds, blastomycetes of skin mycoses, as well as dermatomycosis of a secondary infection (mycoses of the nails, feet and others).
The drug is applied two to three times during the day on the affected area and rubbed. The duration of therapeutic measures depends on the course and severity of the disease, the localization of pathological lesions, as well as the effectiveness of treatment. As a rule, the duration of the course is four weeks or more. In the treatment of foot mycosis, in order to prevent relapse of the disease, therapy is continued for three weeks after the symptoms of the disease have been eliminated. Before using the drug on the feet, they must be washed with soapy water, in particular the interdigital spaces, and dried. The areas on which the drug will be applied should be clean and completely dry.
At the first application, in rare cases, local reactions are detected, expressed in redness, burning sensation, itching. As a rule, these manifestations disappear with the subsequent use of the medication.
Contraindication to the use of the drug is hypersensitivity to the active substance (clotrimazole) or other components of the drug.
There is a decrease in the effect of the drug while its use with other antifungal agents. The effects of clotrimazole may be reduced by the use of dexamethasone in elevated doses.
With extreme caution, this remedy should be used by women during breastfeeding and in the antenatal period. It should be noted that the drug has a negative effect on the health status of the child and mother. The question of the advisability of using the drug in these cases is decided strictly individually after a medical consultation.
Do not apply the drug to the peri-ocular region.
If the use of the drug does not contribute to the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease within four weeks, it is necessary to verify (confirm) the diagnosis.
With the development of increased irritability or sensitivity in the affected area, it is necessary to stop therapy and choose another treatment.