Lotrimin Plus

Uses

The confirmed indication for Clotrimazole include:

• All dermatomycoses due to dermatophytes (e.g. Trichophyton species).
• All dermatomycoses due to yeasts (Candida species).
• Dermatomycoses due to moulds and other fungi.
• Skin diseases showing superinfections with these fungi.

To the dermatomycoses listed under 1-4 belong for example, interdigital myocoses (e.g. athlete’s foot), paronychias (associated with nail mycoses), myocoses in skin folds, Candida vulvitis, Candida balanitis, Pityriasis versicolor, erythrasma.

Clotrimazole rectal preparation is used for vaginal itching, burning and discharge associated with recurrent vaginal yeast infections (Vaginal candidiasis) and also in viginitis due to Candida species as well as Mycotic infections complicated by other microorganisms sensitive to the drug.

Clotrimazole Sterile Eye Ointment is used for the treatment of fungal keratitis due to filamentous fungi and Candida species.

Clotrimazole Ear Drop is used for the treatment of fungal infections of the ear.

Endocrine disorders: Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance). Acute adrenocortical insufficiency, pre operatively and in the event of serious trauma or illness, in patients with known adrenal insufficiency or when adrenocortical reserve is doubtful. Shock unresponsive to conventional therapy if adrenocortical insufficiency exists or is suspected congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, hypercalcemia associated with cancer

Rheumatic disorders: As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: post-traumatic osteoarthritis, synovitis of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy), acute and sub-acute bursitis, epicondylitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.

Collagen diseases: During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of Systemic lupus erythematosus and acute rheumatic carditis

Dermatologic diseases: Pemphigus,Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), Exfoliative dermatitis, Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, Severe seborrheic dermatitis,Severe psoriasis, Mycosis fungoides

Allergic states: Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, serum sickness, seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, urticarial transfusion reactions, acute non-infectious laryngeal edema (epinephrine is the drug of first choice)

Ophthalmic diseases: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye, such as: herpes zoster ophthalmicus, iritis, iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis, diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, optic neuritis, sympathetic ophthalmia, anterior segment inflammation, allergic conjunctivitis, keratitis, allergic corneal marginal ulcers.

Gastrointestinal diseases: To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in ulcerative colitis (systemic therapy), regional enteritis (systemic therapy) Respiratory diseases Symptomatic sarcoidosis, berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate anti-tuberculous chemotherapy, Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means, aspiration pneumonitis.

Hematologic disorders: Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults (I.V. only: I.M administration is contraused), secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia), congenital (erythroid) hypoplasticanemia

Neoplastic diseases: For palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas in adults, acute leukemia of childhood.

Edematous states: To induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus.

Miscellaneous: Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy,Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement

Cerebral Edema: Cerebral Edema associated with primary or metastatic brain tumor, craniotomy, or head injury. Use in cerebral edema is not a substitute for careful neurosurgical evaluation and definitive management such as neurosurgery or other specific therapy.May also be useful in cystic tumors of an aponeurosis or tendon (ganglia).

Lotrimin Plus is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Balanitis candida, Candidiasis, Dermatitis, Dermatomycoses, Ear infection fungal, Erythrasma, Fungal Vaginal Infections, Fungal skin infection, Genital candidiasis, Inflammation, Mixed Vaginal Infections, Oropharyngeal Candidiasis, Pityriasis versicolor, Pyoderma, Ringworm, Skin Infections, Skin candida, Tinea Corporis, Tinea Cruris, Tinea Pedis, Tinea inguinalis, Trichophytosis, Vaginal Candidiasis, Vaginal Mycosis, Vulvitis, Cutaneous candidiasis, Infection mycotic, Susceptible Bacterial Infections, Symptomatic Tinea Corporis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Symptomatic Tinea Cruris caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Symptomatic Tinea Pedis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Tinea versicolor caused by Malassezia infectionAcne Rosacea, Acute Gouty Arthritis, Acute Otitis Externa, Acute Otitis Media, Adrenal cortical hypofunctions, Adrenocortical Hyperfunction, Alopecia Areata (AA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Anterior Segment Inflammation, Aspiration Pneumonitis, Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Berylliosis, Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, Bursitis, Chorioretinitis, Choroiditis, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Congenital Hypoplastic Anemia, Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis allergic, Corneal Inflammation, Cushing's Syndrome, Dermatitis, Dermatitis exfoliative generalised, Dermatitis, Contact, Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), Drug hypersensitivity reaction, Edema of the cerebrum, Epicondylitis, Episcleritis, Erythroblastopenia, Eye Infections, Eye allergy, Eye swelling, Glaucoma, Hypercalcemia, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Infection, Inflammation, Inflammation of the External Auditory Canal, Intraocular Inflammation, Iridocyclitis, Iritis, Keloid Scars, Leukemia, Acute, Lichen Planus (LP), Lichen simplex chronicus, Loeffler's syndrome, Macular Edema, Malignant Lymphomas, Middle ear inflammation, Mucosal Inflammation of the eye, Multiple Myeloma (MM), Muscle Inflammation caused by Cataract Surgery of the eye, Mycosis Fungoides (MF), Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, Noninfectious Posterior Uveitis, Ocular Infections, Irritations and Inflammations, Ocular Inflammation, Ocular Inflammation and Pain, Ocular Irritation, Ophthalmia, Sympathetic, Optic Neuritis, Otitis Externa, Pemphigus, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis (PAR), Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis, Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis, Postoperative Infections of the eyes caused by susceptible bacteria, Regional Enteritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile, Sarcoidosis, Scleritis, Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis, Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Secondary thrombocytopenia, Serum Sickness, Severe Seborrheic Dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Synovitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Trichinosis, Tuberculosis (TB), Tuberculosis Meningitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Uveitis, Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis, Acquired immune hemolytic anemia, Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, Acute rheumatic carditis, Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, Ear infection-not otherwise specified caused by susceptible bacteria, Granuloma annulare lesions, Non-suppurative Thyroiditis, Ocular bacterial infections, Severe Psoriasis, Steroid-responsive inflammation of the eye, Varicella-zoster virus acute retinal necrosis, Watery itchy eyes

How Lotrimin Plus works

Clotrimazole acts primarily by damaging the permeability barrier in the cell membrane of fungi. Clotrimazole causes inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis, an essential constituent of fungal cell membranes. If ergosterol synthesis is either completely or partially inhibited, the cell is no longer able to construct an intact and functional cell membrane ,. Because ergosterol directly promotes the growth of fungal cells in a hormone‐like fashion, rapid onset of the above events leads to dose-dependent inhibition of fungal growth .

Though decreased ergosterol, due to the inhibition of lanosterol 14-demethylase (also known as CYP51) is accepted to be primarily responsible for the antimycotic properties of clotrimazole, this drug also shows other pharmacological effects. These include the inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase, depletion of intracellular calcium, and blocking of calcium‐dependent potassium channels and voltage‐dependent calcium channels . The action of clotrimazole on these targets accounts for other effects of this drug that are separate from its antimycotic activities .

The short term effects of corticosteroids are decreased vasodilation and permeability of capillaries, as well as decreased leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation. Corticosteroids binding to the glucocorticoid receptor mediates changes in gene expression that lead to multiple downstream effects over hours to days.

Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination; they inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the formation of arachidonic acid derivatives; they inhibit NF-Kappa B and other inflammatory transcription factors; they promote anti-inflammatory genes like interleukin-10.

Lower doses of corticosteroids provide an anti-inflammatory effect, while higher doses are immunosuppressive. High doses of glucocorticoids for an extended period bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor, raising sodium levels and decreasing potassium levels.

Dosage

Lotrimin Plus dosage

Topical

Wash skin with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of the cream or solution 2-3 times daily and gently massage over affected area as directed by the doctor. For Athlete’s foot, pay special attention to the spaces between the toes. Best results in Athlete's foot and ringworm are usually obtained with 4 weeks use of this product. The cream should be applied two or three times daily for one month or for at least two weeks after the disappearance of all signs of infection. If satisfactory results have not occurred within these times consultation with doctor is essential. For best results, follow directions and continue treatment for length of time indicated. The duration of treatment varies; it depends among other factors on the extent and localization of the disease.

Recommended duration of treatment :

• Dermatomycoses: 3-4 weeks
• Candida vulvitis and candida balanitis: 1-2 weeks
• Erythrasma and pityriasis versicolor (approx.): 3 weeks
• In fungal infection of the feet, to prevent relapses:Treatment should be continued for about 2 weeks beyond the disappearance of all signs of disease.

Clotrimazole cream is odourless, can be washed off and does not stain.

Rectal

First infections: In general, a 3-day treatment is sufficient for Candida vaginitis. On 3 consecutive nights, Clotrimazole 200 mg vaginal preparation is inserted as deeply as possible into the vagina. This is best achieved when lying on one's back with the knees slightly bent.

Re-infections: In general, a 6-day treatment is sufficient. This applies also to mixed infections with the above-mentioned causative organisms. On six consecutive nights, 1 Clotrimazole 100 mgvaginal preparation is inserted as deeply as possible into the vagina. If necessary, 2 Clotrimazole 100 mg(1 in the morning and 1 in the evening) or 1 Clotrimazole 200 mg daily can be used for 6-12 days. Treatment should be timed so as to avoid the menstrual period and be finished before the onset of menstruation. To avoid re-infection, the partner should undergo local treatment with Clotrimazole cream at the same time.

Clotrimazole 500 mg vaginal preparation: Single dose, complete treatment with one vaginal tablet. The tablet should be inserted as deeply as possible into the vagina. This is best achieved when lying on one's back with the knees slightly bent. It is recommended that the treatment should be timed so as to avoid the menstrual period. For prevention of re-infection the partner should be treated locally with Clotrimazole cream at the same time.

Clotrimazolevaginal preparation are colorless and do not stain the underwear.

Eye

Adult: It should be applied thinly and evenly to the conjunctival sac every 4 hours daily or as advised by a physician.

Children: Safety and effectiveness in children have been established for Clotrimazole when used as indicated and in the recommended dosage.

Ear

Instill 2-3 drops of Clarizol Ear Drops in the affected ear two or three times daily.The treatment should be continued for at least two weeks after the disappearance of all signs of infection to prevent re-infection.

Intraarticular-

Inflammatory joint diseases:

• Adult: 0.8-4 mg depending on the size of the affected joint. For soft-tissue inj, 2-6 mg may be used. May repeat inj every 3-5 days to every 2-3 wk.

Intravenous-

Prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting associated with cytotoxic therapy:

• Adult: Prevention: 10-20 mg 15-30 minutes before admin of chemotherapy on each treatment day. For continuous infusion regimen: 10 mg every 12 hr on each treatment day. For midly emetogenic regimen: 4 mg every 4-6 hr.

Unresponsive shock:

• Adult: As phosphate: Initially, 40 mg or 1-6 mg/kg as a single IV inj, may repeat every 2-6 hr. Continue high-dose treatment only until patient's condition has stabilised and not to be continued beyond 48-72 hr.

Bacterial meningitis:

• Adult: 0.15 mg/kg 4 times daily, to be given 10-20 min before or with the 1st dose of anti-infective treatment. Treatment should be given for the first 2-4 days of the anti-infective treatment.
• Child: As phosphate: 2 mth-18 yr: 150 mcg/kg every 6 hr for 4 days, starting before or with 1st dose of antibacterial treatment.

Cerebral oedema caused by malignancy:

• Adult: As phosphate: 10 mg IV followed by 4 mg IM every 6 hr until response is achieved, usually after 12-24 hr. May reduce dosage after 2-4 days then gradually discontinued over 5-7 days. In severe cases, an initial dose of 50 mg IV may be given on day 1, with 8 mg every 2 hr, reduced gradually over 7-13 days. Maintenance dose: 2 mg 2-3 times daily.
• Child: As phosphate: 35 kg: Initially 25 mg, then 4 mg every 2 hr for 3 days, then 4 mg every 4 hr for 1 day, then 4 mg every 6 hr for 4 days, then decrease by 2 mg daily. Doses are given via IV inj.

Oral-

Anti-inflammatory:

• Adult: 0.75-9 mg daily in 2-4 divided doses; may also be given via IM/IV admin.
• Child: 1 mth-18 yr: 10-100 mcg/kg daily in 1-2 divided doses via oral admin, adjusted according to response; up to 300 micrograms/kg daily may be used in emergency situations.

Screening test for Cushing's syndrome:

• Adult: 0.5 mg every 6 hr for 48 hr after determining baseline 24-hr urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) concentrations. During the second 24 hr of dexamethasone admin, urine is collected and analysed for 17-OHCS. Alternatively, after a baseline plasma cortisol determination, 1 mg may be given at 11 pm and plasma cortisol determined at 8 am the next morning. Plasma cortisol and urinary output of 17-OHCS are depressed after dexamethasone admin in normal individuals but remain at basal levels in patients with Cushing's syndrome.

Acute exacerbations in multiple sclerosis:

• Adult: 30 mg daily for 1 wk followed by 4-12 mg daily for 1 mth.
• Child: 1 mth-12 yr: 100-400 mcg/kg daily in 1-2 divided doses; 12-18 yr: Initially 0.5-24 mg daily. Max. 24 mg daily.

For the treatment to become a complete success, reliable and sufficiently long application of Clotrimazole cream is important. The duration of treatment varies; it depends among other factors on the extent and localisation of the disease.

Side Effects

Clotrimazole is generally well tolerated after local application but the few side effects have been reported infrequently like erythema, stinging, blistering, peeling, oedema, pruritus, urticaria and general irritation.

Since there is practically no Clotrimazole absorption through the vaginal skin, no systemic effect is expected. The local tolerance of Clotrimazole vaginal tablet is generally good. Local irritation or burning sensation may occur in a very few cases but these symptoms are not considered harmful.

Rarely patients may experience burning or irritation immediately after applying the ointment.

Dexamethasone is generally well tolerated in standard low doses, Nausea, vomiting, increased appetite, and obesity may occur. Higher doses may result behavioral personality changes. Following adverse reactions have been associate with prolonged systemic glucocorticoid therapy, endocrine & metabolic disturbances, fluid & electrolyte disturbances, musculo-skeletal effects like osteoporosis etc; GI effects like ulcer, bleeding, perforation; Opthelmic effects like Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure etc; immunosuppressive effects like increased susceptibility to infection etc.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include erythema, stinging, blistering, peeling, edema, pruritus, urticaria, burning, and general irritation of the skin, and cramps. As with all topical agents, skin sensitization may result .

Oral LD50 (rat): 708 mg/kg; Intraperitoneal LD50 (rat): 445 mg/kg; Subcutaneous LDLO (rat): 10 g/kg; Oral LD50 (mouse): 761 mg/kg; Subcutaneous LDLO (mouse): 10 g/kg; Intraperitoneal LD50 (mouse): 108 mg/kg;

Overdose

This drug poses no risk of acute intoxication, as it is unlikely to occur following a single vaginal or dermal application of an overdose (application over a large area under conditions favorable to absorption) or accidental oral ingestion. There is no specific antidote .

Effects on Fertility

No human studies of the effects of clotrimazole on fertility have been conducted; however, animal studies have not shown any effects on the drug on fertility .

Use in Pregnancy

There are limited data regarding the use of clotrimazole in pregnant women. Animal studies do not show direct or indirect harmful effects on reproduction. Although the topical application of clotrimazole may result in very low serum and tissue levels, the use of clotrimazole topical cream by pregnant women is not recommended unless it is advised by the prescribing physician. Clotrimazole topical cream should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy unless it is considered by the physician to be essential to patient well-being .

Use in Breastfeeding

Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological studies in animals have shown excretion of clotrimazole/metabolites in breastmilk. Clotrimazole should not be administered during breastfeeding. Although the topical application of clotrimazole has resulted in very low serum and tissue levels, the use of clotrimazole topical cream by lactating women is not recommended unless it recommended by the prescribing physician .

The oral LD₅₀ in female mice was 6.5g/kg and 794mg/kg via the intravenous route.

Overdoses are not expected with otic formulations. Chronic high doses of glucocorticoids can lead to the development of cataract, glaucoma, hypertension, water retention, hyperlipidemia, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, myopathy, osteoporosis, mood changes, psychosis, dermal atrophy, allergy, acne, hypertrichosis, immune suppression, decreased resistance to infection, moon face, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, metabolic acidosis, growth suppression, and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Overdose may be treated by adjusting the dose or stopping the corticosteroid as well as initiating symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Precaution

If local intolerance develops, consider withdrawal of the medicine and institution of appropriate therapy. Clotrimazole solution is not intended for ophthalmic use. Avoid contact with eyes upon topical application. Children 3 yrs. Pregnancy, lactation. If irritation or sensitivity develops with the use of Clotrimazole ointment, treatment should be discontinued.

The lowest possible dose of corticosteroids should be used to control the conditions under treatment. Dexamethasone should be used with caution in patient with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, hypertension, or renal insufficiency, drug induced secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, peptic ulcer, diverticulitis, intestinal anastomosis, ulcerative colitis, osteoporosis, & latent tuberculosis etc.

Interaction

There have been reports of a heat reaction when this medication used concomitantly with Sofradex drops in the ear.

Antagonism with polyene antibiotics.

Drug interaction can be occurred with following drugs:Diuretics, cardiac glycosides, antidiabetics, NSAIDs, anticoagulants, antacids etc. Besides, if patients undergo long-term therapy of glucororticoids with concomitant salicylates, any reduction in glucocorticoid dosage should be made with caution, since salicylate intoxication has been reported in such cases.

Volume of Distribution

The topical form is minimally absorbed in the serum and tissues . Clotrimazole is a lipophilic drug , and has been shown to be secreted in breastmilk in animal studies . There are limited data available regarding the volume of distribution following oral troche administration.

A 1.5mg oral dose of dexamethasone has a volume of distribution of 51.0L, while a 3mg intramuscular dose has a volume of distribution of 96.0L.

Elimination Route

Because clotrimazole is generally not significantly absorbed, drug interactions are not a major issue with its use .

Absorption via the intramuscular route is slower than via the intravenous route. A 3mg intramuscular dose reaches a C_max of 34.6±6.0ng/mL with a T_max of 2.0±1.2h and an AUC of 113±38ng*h/mL. A 1.5mg oral dose reaches a C_max of 13.9±6.8ng/mL with a T_max of 2.0±0.5h and an AUC of 331±50ng*h/mL. Oral dexamethasone is approximately 70-78% bioavailable in healthy subjects.

Half Life

The mean terminal half life of a 20mg oral tablet is 4 hours. A 1.5mg oral dose of dexamethasone has a half life of 6.6±4.3h, while a 3mg intramuscular dose has a half life of 4.2±1.2h.

Clearance

A 20mg oral tablet has a clearance of 15.7L/h. A 1.5mg oral dose of dexamethasone has a clearance of 15.6±4.9L/h while a 3.0mg intramuscular dose has a clearance of 9.9±1.4L/h.

Elimination Route

Mainly hepatic .

Corticosteroids are generally eliminated predominantly in the urine. However, dexamethasone is 15

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy:Clotrimazole is recommended during pregnancy only after first consulting a doctor.

Lactation:Because systemic absorption of clotrimazole following topical application is marginal, there should be no risk for the infant during lactation.

Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies. Glucocorticoids appear in breast milk, Mothers taking high dosages of corticosteroids should be advised not to breast-feed.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to clotrimazole.

In case of adrenal insufficiency, no absolute contraindications are applicable. In the treatment of non endocrine diseases where pharmacological doses are more likely to be used, the contraindications have to be considered carefully.

Relative contraindications include the followings: patient with Cushing’s syndrome, Osteoporosis, Diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, gastrointestinal ulcers, systemic fungal infection & acute infection.

Acute Overdose

Supportive measures should be taken incase of accidental oral ingestion.

In case of accidental oral ingestion, supportive measures should be taken.

Overdose is unlikely; however, treatment of overdose is by supportive and symptomatic therapy.

Storage Condition

Store at a cool and dry place. Protect from light. Do not freeze.

Store at 15-30° C.

Innovators Monograph

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