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Gyne-Lotrimin (Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Gyne-Lotrimin

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 9/12/2023

Drug Summary

What Is Gyne-Lotrimin?

Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole vaginal cream) is an antifungal medication used to treat vaginal candida (yeast) infections. Gyne-Lotrimin is available over-the-counter and in generic versions.

What Are Side Effects of Gyne-Lotrimin?

Gyne-Lotrimin may cause serious side effects including:

  • difficulty breathing,
  • swelling of your tongue, or throat,
  • severe blistering of treated skin,
  • swelling, redness or oozing, and
  • severe burning, itching or other irritation

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Gyne-Lotrimin include:

  • vaginal or urethral burning/itching/pain/irritation,
  • an increased need to urinate, or
  • lower abdominal cramps.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have rare but serious symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Gyne-Lotrimin including:

  • rash,
  • itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat),
  • severe dizziness, or
  • trouble breathing.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Gyne-Lotrimin

Fill the applicator with the cream and then insert one applicatorful dose of Gyne-Lotrimin cream into the vagina every day, preferably at bedtime. Dispose of applicator after use. Repeat this procedure with a new applicator for 7 consecutive days. In order to kill the yeast completely, you must use Gyne-Lotrimin the full seven days, even if symptoms are relieved sooner.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Gyne-Lotrimin?

Gyne-Lotrimin may interact with other vaginal creams or douches used at the same time. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Gyne-Lotrimin During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not use Gyne-Lotrimin for self-treatment if you are pregnant. During pregnancy, Gyne-Lotrimin should be used only when recommended by your doctor. If you are pregnant, follow your doctor's instructions on how to use the applicator to insert this medication. It is unknown whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole vaginal cream) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Gyne-Lotrimin

Active Ingredient (clotrimazole vaginal cream)

Clotrimazole 1%

Inactive Ingredient (clotrimazole vaginal cream) s

Benzyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters Wax, 2-Octyldodecanol, Polysorbate 60, Purified Water, Sodium Phosphate Monobasic, and Sorbitan Monostearate.

Uses for Gyne-Lotrimin

Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream will cure most vaginal yeast (candida) infections.

Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream can kill the yeast that cause vaginal yeast infections and can relieve the associated itching and burning.

Dosage for Gyne-Lotrimin

Directions

Fill the applicator with the cream and then insert one applicatorful of cream into the vagina every day, preferably at bedtime. Dispose of applicator after use.

Repeat this procedure with a new applicator for 7 consecutive days. For relief of external vulvar itching, squeeze a small amount of cream onto your finger and gently spread the cream onto the irritated area of the vulva. Use once or twice a day for up to 7 days as needed to relieve external vulvar itching.

THE CREAM SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR VULVAR ITCHING DUE TO CAUSES OTHER THAN A YEAST INFECTION.

Important: In order to kill the yeast completely, you must use CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM the full seven days, as instructed above, even if your symptoms are relieved sooner.

HOW SUPPLIED

See carton and tube crimp for lot number and expiration date.

Store at room temperature between 2°-30°C (36°-86°F).

Side Effects for Gyne-Lotrimin

No information provided.

Drug Interactions for Gyne-Lotrimin

Warnings for Gyne-Lotrimin

†Do not use if you have abdominal pain, fever, or a foul-smelling vaginal discharge. You may have a condition which is more serious than a yeast infection. Contact your doctor immediately.

†Do not use if this is your first experience with vaginal itch and discomfort. See your doctor.

†If there is no improvement within 3 days, you may have a condition other than a yeast infection. Stop using this product and see your doctor.

†If you may have been exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS) and are now having recurrent vaginal yeast infections, especially infections that don†t clear up easily with proper treatment, see your doctor promptly to determine the cause of your symptoms and to receive proper medical care.

†If symptoms recur within a 2 month period, contact your doctor.

†Do not use during pregnancy except under the advice and supervision of a doctor.

†This medication is for use in the vaginal and vulvar areas only. It is not for use in the mouth or the eyes. In case accidentally swallowed, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

† Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. This product is not to be used in children less than 12 years of age.

If you have questions about Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream or vaginal yeast infections, contact your doctor.

Precautions for Gyne-Lotrimin

No information provided.

See PATIENT INFORMATION section.

Overdose Information for Gyne-Lotrimin

No information provided.

Contraindications for Gyne-Lotrimin

Clinical Pharmacology for Gyne-Lotrimin

No information provided.

Patient Information for Gyne-Lotrimin

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A RECURRENT YEAST INFECTION OF THE VAGINAL AND VULVAR AREA.

Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream will cure most vaginal yeast (candida) infections. But not every vaginal infection is caused by yeast. If this is the first time you are experiencing vaginal itch and discomfort, or if you are experiencing external vulvar itch, it is important to visit your doctor to be sure that yeast is the problem. Do not use if you have abdominal pain, fever, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge. You may have a condition more serious than a yeast infection, and you should see your doctor immediately.

The main symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is itching which can be moderate to intense. The itching is usually in the folds of the vagina and on the external skin (vulva) around the vagina. Yeast infection may also cause a white discharge from the vagina. The discharge may be thick like paste or lumpy like cottage cheese. Underneath the discharge, the irritated skin of the vulva may be swollen, cracked and red, or may have small red sore spots. The vagina may also feel sore inside or have a burning sensation, particularly during vaginal intercourse.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, especially in the days before your period, you could have a vaginal yeast infection.

CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM CAN KILL THE YEAST THAT CAUSES THE INFECTION.

To cure a vaginal yeast infection, it is necessary to eliminate the yeast cells. Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream can kill the yeast that cause vaginal yeast infections and can relieve the associated itching and burning.

HOW TO USE

WARNING: DO NOT TAKE BY MOUTH OR USE IN THE EYES.

Directions:

Fill the applicator with the cream and then insert one applicatorful of cream into the vagina every day, preferably at bedtime. Dispose of applicator after use.

Repeat this procedure with a new applicator for 7 consecutive days. For relief of external vulvar itching, squeeze a small amount of cream onto your finger and gently spread the cream onto the irritated area of the vulva. Use once or twice a day for up to 7 days as needed to relieve external vulvar itching.

THE CREAM SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR VULVAR ITCHING DUE TO CAUSES OTHER THAN A YEAST INFECTION.

Important: In order to kill the yeast completely, you must use CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM the full seven days, as instructed above, even if your symptoms are relieved sooner.

To load the applicator

Remove cap from tube of cream. Screw open end of applicator onto tube of cream. Gently squeeze opposite end of tube, forcing cream into barrel of applicator. The plunger will stop moving outward when the barrel contains the proper amount of cream. When the barrel is full, unscrew applicator from tube. After each use, replace cap and roll up the tube from the bottom.

To insert the vaginal cream:

Lie on your back with your knees bent. Insert the open end of the filled applicator into the vagina as deeply as it will go comfortably. Holding the applicator in place with thumb and middle finger, press the plunger until it stops. Withdraw the applicator.

IMPORTANT: Insert one applicatorful of CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM each day for the full 7 days.

CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM usually starts to relieve itching and other symptoms within 3 days. If you do not improve in 3 days or if you do not get well in 7 days, you may have a condition other than a vaginal yeast infection. Discontinue use of the product and consult your doctor. Also, if symptoms recur within a 2 month period, contact your doctor.

During your period, continue to use CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM. Its action is not affected by menstruation. However, DO NOT USE TAMPONS WHILE THE MEDICINE IS IN USE: sanitary napkins may be used instead.

CLOTRIMAZOLE VAGINAL CREAM may reduce the effectiveness of some methods of birth control. Condoms, diaphragms, or vaginal spermicides may be so affected.

ARE THERE REASONS YOU GET VAGINAL YEAST INFECTIONS AND VULVAR IRRITATION?

The vagina normally has a mixture of two kinds of germs called bacteria and yeast. Under certain conditions, the yeast in the vagina can grow too much † causing vaginal itching, vulvar irritation, and often, a discharge. In some women, the conditions that allow the yeast to multiply can include the use of certain birth control pills, routine hormonal changes, or taking antibiotics. Pregnancy and diabetes are two other important conditions that can lead to vaginal yeast infections. In women with frequently recurrent vaginal yeast infections, especially infections that don†t clear up easily with proper treatment, the vaginal yeast infections may also be the result of serious medical conditions, including infection with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), that can damage the body†s normal defenses against infection.

Hormonal changes are sometimes the cause.

Hormonal changes can cause some women to be prone to yeast infections. Some women get vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy, while taking certain birth control pills, or every month just before their period.

Antibiotics are sometimes the cause.

Killing the normal bacteria of the vagina may allow yeast to multiply. That is why women taking antibiotics are more likely to get vaginal yeast infections.

Damage to the body†s normal defenses against infection is sometimes the cause.

Various medical conditions can damage the body†s normal defenses against infection. One of the most serious of these conditions is infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV † the virus that causes AIDS). Infection with HIV causes the body to be more susceptible to infections, including vaginal yeast infections. Women with HIV infection may have frequent vaginal yeast infections or, especially, vaginal yeast infections that do not clear up easily with proper treatment. If you may have been exposed to HIV and are experiencing either frequently recurring vaginal yeast infections or, especially, vaginal yeast infections that do not clear up easily with proper treatment, you should see your doctor promptly. If you wish further information on risk factors for HIV infection or on the relationship between recurrent or persistent vaginal yeast infections and HIV infection, please contact your doctor or the CDC National AIDS HOTLINE at 1-800-342-AIDS (English), 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish), or 1-800-243-7889 (hearing impaired, TDD).

IF YOU EXPERIENCE FREQUENT VAGINAL YEAST INFECTIONS (THEY RECUR WITHIN A TWO MONTH PERIOD) OR IF YOU HAVE VAGINAL INFECTIONS THAT DO NOT CLEAR UP EASILY WITH PROPER TREATMENT, YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR DOCTOR PROMPTLY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND TO RECEIVE PROPER MEDICAL CARE.

Can yeast be transmitted sexually?

Men usually do not get or spread yeast infections through sexual intercourse. However, if a woman†s yeast infections keep recurring, she should ask her partner to seek evaluation by a doctor.

Cotton underpants may help.

Yeast flourish in a warm, moist environment. Since tight synthetic underpants and pantyhose can increase heat and moisture in the area of the vulva, it is probably better to wear cotton underpants if you are prone to vaginal yeast infections and vulvar irritation.

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