Clotrimazole-Betamethasone

Clotrimazole/Betamethasone is a combination prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of fungal infections of the skin such as tinea cruris (jock itch), tinea corporis (ringworm), and tinea pedis (athlete’s foot).

• Clotrimazole/Betamethasone is available under the following different brand names: Lotrisone

Adult dosage

Cream

• 0.05%/1% (15g, 45g)

Lotion

• 0.05%/1% (30mL)

Tinea Cruris & Tinea Corporis

Adult dosage

• Cream: Apply to the infected area every 12 hours for 1 week; re-evaluate after 1 week if no clinical improvement; not to exceed 45 g per week; for 2 weeks maximum
• Lotion: Apply to the infected area every 12 hours for 1 week; re-evaluate after 1 week if no clinical improvement; not to exceed 45 g per week; for 2 weeks maximum

Tinea Pedis

Adult dosage

• Cream: Apply to the infected area every 12 hours for 1 week; re-evaluate after 1 week if no clinical improvement; not to exceed 45 mL per week; for 4 weeks maximum
• Lotion: Apply to the infected area every 12 hours for 1 week; re-evaluate after 1 week if no clinical improvement; not to exceed 45 mL per week; for 4 weeks maximum

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Clotrimazole/Betamethasone include:

• burning or tingling of treated skin,
• skin dryness,
• rash, and
• swelling.

Serious side effects of Clotrimazole/Betamethasone include:

• worsening of skin condition,
• redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of any treated skin,
• blurred vision, 
• tunnel vision, 
• eye pain, 
• seeing halos around lights,
• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, and
• possible signs of absorbing this medicine through the skin--weight gain (especially in the face or upper back and torso), slow wound healing, thinning or discolored skin, increased body hair, muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, sexual changes.

Rare side effects of Clotrimazole/Betamethasone include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Clotrimazole/Betamethasone has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • elagolix
  • lomitapide
• Clotrimazole/Betamethasone has serious interactions with at least 21 other drugs.
• Clotrimazole/Betamethasone has moderate interactions with at least 141 other drugs.
• Clotrimazole/Betamethasone has minor interactions with at least 22 other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Clotrimazole/Betamethasone?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Clotrimazole/Betamethasone?”

Cautions

• Do not use with occlusive dressing; systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids may cause hypercortisolism or suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• Prolonged treatment with corticosteroids associated with the development of Kaposi sarcoma
• Occlusive dressings, prolonged use, application to denuded skin or large surface areas may increase absorption and result in hyperglycemia, glycosuria, or Cushing syndrome
• Not for use in the treatment of diaper dermatitis in any age group; significant adverse reactions associated with corticosteroids reported
• Use of topical corticosteroids may increase the risk of posterior subcapsular cataracts and glaucoma; cataracts and glaucoma reported in postmarketing experience with the use of topical corticosteroid products, including topical Betamethasone products; avoid contact with eyes; advise patients to report any visual symptoms and consider referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are no available data on topical Betamethasone dipropionate or clotrimazole use in pregnant women to identify the drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes; observational studies suggest an increased risk of low birth weight in infants with the use of potent or very potent topical corticosteroid during pregnancy
• Advise pregnant women that therapy may increase the risk of having a low birth weight infant and use the drug on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible
• Lactation
  • Advise a woman to apply the drug to the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible while breastfeeding; advise breastfeeding women not to apply the drug directly to the nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure