Clotrimazole vs Terbinafine – Which Is The Best Antifungal Medicine?

Clotrimazole

It is a medicine that is used to treat fungal infections, like – vaginal thrush. The oral form is used to prevent and treat yeast infections of the throat and mouth.

This antifungal works by inhibiting the biosynthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes.

It can be found both as a prescription and over-the-counter medication. As a brand name, it is sold under the name of Canesten.

This drug is typically used two times per day for 2 to 8 weeks for skin infections and five times per day for two weeks for oral thrush.

If you experience itching around the outside of the vagina, apply this antifungal to that area commonly once or twice per day but for no more than a week.

It is vital to keep taking this medicine the full time prescribed, even if the sign and symptoms appear to have cleared up.

Uses

It can be used to treat jock itch (tinea cruris), athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), candidiasis (yeast infections of the skin and mucous membranes), ringworm (tinea corporis), tinea versicolor (patches of skin which are a different color than the rest of the skin), and infected diaper rash (caused by Candida albicans).

If you are using this antifungal to treat tinea pedis, it is recommended to wash and dry the feet, particularly between the toes, before using this medicine.

The area treated with this cream should not be bandaged but only cover the skin with clothing made of breathable fabric, especially cotton.

Side Effects And Precautions

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

burning in the area of application;
hives;
itching;
swelling;
peeling;
blistering;
stinging;
local redness.

Do not get this antifungal cream in your eyes. However, if you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water.

If you experience abdominal pain, fever, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, your signs and symptoms may be due to a more severe illness, other than a yeast infection. Therefore, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you can and do not use this cream.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

Cymbalta (duloxetine);
Advair Diskus (fluticasone/salmeterol);
hydrocortisone;
Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin);
Lyrica (pregabalin);
beclomethasone;
metronidazole;
Benadryl (diphenhydramine);
MiraLax (polyethylene glycol 3350);
betamethasone;
Synthroid (levothyroxine);
fluconazole;
Tylenol (acetaminophen);
Lasix (furosemide);
Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol);
Lipitor (atorvastatin);
Singulair (montelukast);
ProAir HFA (albuterol);
Nexium (esomeprazole).

Alcohol

To prevent any possible adverse effects, avoid alcohol while using this antifungal.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

It may negatively affect the developing fetus. Tell your doctor that you are pregnant before using this medication.

Because this medication is passed through breast milk and may negatively affect the baby, consult your healthcare professional before use.

Birth control methods (like – a diaphragm or a condom) may be less effective if you use them during the treatment with this antifungal cream. Also, this cream will not prevent the yeast infection from spreading to your partner.

Terbinafine

It is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as antifungals which work by stopping the growth of fungus. It is on the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines and was discovered in 1991.

This medicine is usually prescribed for fungal nail infections as well as for fungal skin infections. It is available as an oral tablet and as a topical cream. As a brand name, it is found under the name of Lamisil.

The prescription forms (oral granules and tablets) are used to treat toenail and fingernail fungal infections and fungal infection of scalp hair follicles which commonly occurs in children.

The over-the-counter forms (gel, cream, sprays) are used to treat burning, itching, scaling, and cracking caused by jock itch (tinea cruris), athlete’s foot, and ringworm.

Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects of using this medicine may include:

stomach upset;
stomach gas;
joint pain;
muscle pain;
hair loss;
diarrhea;
changes in taste.

Serious side effects (very rare) may include:

yellowing of the eyes or skin;
unusual tiredness;
right upper belly pain;
redness, blistering, peeling of the skin;
nausea;
loss of appetite;
light-colored stools;
flu-like symptoms;
general ill feeling;
fever;
dark urine,
changes in vision;
allergic reactions that may include – swelling of the lips, face, or tongue or a skin rash.

Wash your hands carefully after using this medicine since this will help to prevent the infection from spreading.

More importantly, before using antifungal medicines, tell your healthcare provider if you have an autoimmune disorder (like – psoriasis or lupus) or kidney or liver disease.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

Crestor (rosuvastatin);
amoxicillin;
Cymbalta (duloxetine);
Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin);
CoQ10 (ubiquinone);
azithromycin;
itraconazole;
ciprofloxacin;
Lexapro (escitalopram);
citalopram;
Lipitor (atorvastatin);
Control (phenylpropanolamine);
Nexium (esomeprazole);
fluconazole;
Norco (acetaminophen/hydrocodone);
phentermine;
ibuprofen;
prednisone;
lansoprazole;
omeprazole;
metronidazole;
Lyrica (pregabalin);
levothyroxine.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

It may negatively affect the developing fetus. Tell your doctor that you are pregnant before using this medication.

Because this medication is passed through breast milk and may negatively affect the baby, consult your healthcare professional before use.