Butenafine Hydrochloride vs Clotrimazole – Which Is Better For Yeast Infections Of The Skin?

Butenafine Hydrochloride vs Clotrimazole – Which Is Better For Yeast Infections Of The Skin?

Butenafine Hydrochloride

It is a synthetic benzylamine antifungal, which works by preventing the growth of fungus by interrupting the formation of the fungal cell membrane.

This medicine is marketed under the trade names Butop and Mentax, plus it is the main ingredient in a cream called – Lotrimin Ultra.

Usesathlete's foot

It is usually used for the topical treatment of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor), Tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea corporis (ringworm).

Tinea infections are superficial yeast infections typically caused by the three genera of dermatophytes: Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton.

Symptoms of tinea infections depend on the affected area of the body and may include the following:

  • Jock itch – it causes an itchy, burning rash in the groin area.
  • Athlete’s foot – it causes burning, itching, and cracked skin between the toes.
  • Scalp ringworm – it causes itchy, red patches on the head. It typically affects children. It can leave bald spots. 
  • Ringworm (a worm doesn’t cause it) – it is a red skin rash that forms a ring around normal-looking skin. 

To treat athlete’s foot, apply the ointment two times per day for 7 days or one time per day for 4 weeks.

To treat ringworm (also referred to as dermatophytosis), apply 2 times per day for 14 days. Individuals with tinea versicolor should apply a dose of this antifungal once per day for 14 days.

This cream works best if it is used at the same time(s) every day.

Side Effects And Precautions

Side effects of using this antifungal may include:

  • unusual bleeding;
  • tightness in the chest;
  • sores or blisters;
  • swelling;
  • trouble breathing;
  • wheezing;
  • burning;
  • fever;
  • redness;
  • unusual hoarseness;
  • irritation where this ointment is used;
  • allergic reactions with symptoms including – swelling of the face, mouth, lips, or throat, as well as hives and peeling skin.

If you observe a burning sensation or change in the color of your skin, seek immediate medical attention.

Do not cover the treated area with bandages unless directed by your doctor. Do not use this ointment for the treatment of fungal nail infections.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

There are no conclusive studies to know whether it passes into breast milk; therefore, stay on the safe side and avoid it if you are breastfeeding a baby. Also, it is best to avoid this medicine if you are pregnant since it may harm an unborn baby.

If you miss a dose of this medication, use it as soon as you can. However, if it is near the time for your next dose, do not use a double dose.

Using too much of this antifungal can increase the risk of side effects considerably.

You only need to put a thin layer of this medicine on the area where you need it.

Clotrimazole

It belongs to a type of medication called antifungals that are used to treat various skin infections caused by yeast or fungus.

This antifungal works by creating a disruption in the production of ergosterol that, ultimately, leads to the occurrence of holes in the fungal cell membrane.

It comes in a topical cream, a topical solution, and a lozenge form.

It is found under the brand name of Canesten.

Usesathlete's foot

It is usually used for the local treatment of:

  • vaginal yeast infections (common symptoms include – a thick, creamy white, odorless vaginal discharge as well as soreness, itching, and redness around the outside of the vagina). Absorption of this antifungal after a vaginal application is estimated to be between 3 percent and 10 percent.
  • oropharyngeal candidiasis (overgrows of Candida albicans in the mouth and throat);
  • fungal infections of the skin (like – athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch).

This ointment should be applied evenly and thinly to the affected area 2 – 3 times per day.

If you are using this cream to treat tinea pedis, make sure you wash and dry the feet properly, particularly between the toes, before using this medicine.

If the skin infection does not improve within 14 days for athlete’s foot, or 7 days for ringworm or jock itch, check with your healthcare provider, as the diagnosis should be reviewed.

Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects associated with the use of this cream include:

  • an unpleasant sensation in the mouth;
  • burning, swelling, blistering, stinging, peeling, itching, and redness at the area of application;
  • hives;
  • severe dizziness;
  • vomiting;
  • stomach upset or nausea, especially with the oral lozenge;
  • an allergic reaction, with symptoms including – swelling (particularly of the tongue, face, and throat), rash, and trouble breathing.

Do not use more than two complete treatments with this medicine within 180 days without speaking with your healthcare professional for further medical advice.

There are no adequate studies about its effects on pregnant women. Do not use it on children under 2 years of age.

Do not use it for diaper rash.

Warning

As with other antifungals, it may reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives, like – diaphragms or condoms.

Therefore, avoid sexual intercourse or use alternative precautions for about a week after using this medicine (and during).Butenafine Hydrochloride vs Clotrimazole – Which Is Better For Yeast Infections Of The Skin

Butenafine Hydrochloride vs Clotrimazole – Which Is Better For Yeast Infections Of The Skin?

Butenafine Hydrochloride is a synthetic benzylamine derivative with fungicidal properties.

 It works by inhibiting the synthesis of sterols by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for the creation of sterols needed in fungal cell membranes, called squalene epoxidase.

Clotrimazole (brand name – Canesten) is an antifungal medication that is used to treat yeast infections of the mouth, vagina, and skin, like – jock itch, athlete’s foot, and body ringworm.

This antifungal works by killing the fungus which causes the infection.

In a 2005 randomized, double-blind trial at the Department of Dermatology & STD, Delhi, India, 80 patients diagnosed clinically to have localized tinea corporis or tinea cruris treated with these two medicines, at the end of 1 week, had a higher clinical cure with butenafine compared with clotrimazole study participants.

Nevertheless, the difference was not significant at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3481417/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847256/
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulator

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