Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved clotrimazole topical cream to treat the following in adults and some children:
This article describes possible side effects of clotrimazole topical cream. You can explore this overview article to learn more about clotrimazole, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Clotrimazole topical cream is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Clotrimazole also comes in a topical solution, a vaginal cream, and a lozenge you place in your mouth, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of clotrimazole
Clotrimazole topical cream may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of clotrimazole topical cream include:
- skin redness or discoloration
- skin stinging, burning, or irritation
- itchy skin
Mild side effects of clotrimazole
Clotrimazole topical cream may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of clotrimazole topical cream that occurred in studies include:
- skin redness or discoloration
- skin stinging, burning, or irritation
- skin blistering or peeling*
- bloating due to fluid retention
- itchy skin
- hives*
- mild allergic reaction*†
Clotrimazole topical cream may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of clotrimazole in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with clotrimazole topical cream. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of clotrimazole
Clotrimazole may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from clotrimazole topical cream, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with clotrimazole topical cream.
Serious side effects of clotrimazole topical cream that have been reported include severe allergic reaction.* An allergic reaction is possible with clotrimazole topical cream. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of clotrimazole in detail” section below.
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Common questions about side effects of clotrimazole
Here are answers to common questions about side effects of clotrimazole topical cream. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do side effects of clotrimazole topical cream compare with those seen with the vaginal cream form of the drug?
Clotrimazole topical cream and clotrimazole vaginal cream have different side effects due to their application to different parts of the body. But these side effects also have some similarities.
Clotrimazole vaginal cream may cause burning or stinging sensations affecting the vagina, as well as vaginal itchiness. Clotrimazole topical cream may cause a burning or stinging sensation to the skin where the drug is applied. It may also cause itchy skin.
So, both drugs may cause a burning or stinging sensation. They both can also cause itchiness at the site where the drug is applied. Clotrimazole topical cream should never be applied to the vagina or anywhere other than on the skin. Clotrimazole vaginal cream should only be used to treat infections of the vagina.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about how these forms of clotrimazole compare.
Does clotrimazole cause long-term side effects?
No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with clotrimazole topical cream. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long-lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have additional questions about possible long-term side effects of clotrimazole.
Side effects of clotrimazole in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of clotrimazole topical cream.
Hives
In studies, skin hives were reported in people using clotrimazole topical cream. It’s not known how often this side effect occurred in these studies. This side effect is usually mild but rarely may be a symptom of an allergic reaction.
Skin hives appear as itchy, raised welts (bumps) that may sting or hurt. On brown or black skin, they appear as flesh-colored or slightly lighter or darker than your skin. On lighter skin, hives appear as flesh-colored, pink, or red.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of skin hives, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with clotrimazole topical cream. They can review other treatments for your infection with you instead.
Skin blistering or peeling
In studies, skin blistering or peeling was reported in people using clotrimazole topical cream. It’s not known how often this side effect occurred in these studies. This side effect is usually mild. (The terms “blistering” and “peeling” may sound intimidating, but this reaction is usually mild with clotrimazole topical cream.)
Skin blisters are raised sacs of skin filled with fluid. With skin peeling, your body sheds some of its outer layer of skin. The skin may flake or peel off.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of skin blistering or peeling, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with clotrimazole topical cream. They can review other treatments for your infection with you instead.
For some people, clotrimazole topical cream can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to clotrimazole topical cream, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for clotrimazole
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking clotrimazole topical cream.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take clotrimazole topical cream if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether clotrimazole topical cream is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking clotrimazole topical cream, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include past allergic reaction to clotrimazole.
Clotrimazole and pregnancy
It’s not known whether clotrimazole topical cream should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Clotrimazole and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether clotrimazole topical cream should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Clotrimazole topical cream is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with clotrimazole topical cream.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of clotrimazole topical cream. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does clotrimazole topical cream have similar side effects as those of other treatments for my condition?
- If I had side effects from another topical antifungal drug, am I at higher risk of side effects if I use clotrimazole topical cream?
- How do side effects of clotrimazole compare with those of oral ketoconazole?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
