Overview
Clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream USP, 1%/0.05% (base), contains combinations of clotrimazole, USP, an azole antifungal, and betamethasone dipropionate, USP, a corticosteroid, for topical use. Chemically, clotrimazole, USP is 1-(o-Chloro-α,α-diphenylbenzyl)imidazole, with the molecular formula C22H17ClN2, a molecular weight of 344.
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Clotrimazole is an azole antifungal [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.4)]. Betamethasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids play a role in cellular signaling, immune function, inflammation, and protein regulation; however, the precise mechanism of action for the treatment of tinea pedis, tinea cruris and tinea corporis is unknown. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Vasoconstrictor Assay Studies performed with clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream indicate that these topical combination antifungal/corticosteroids may have vasoconstrictor potencies in a range that is comparable to high-potency topical corticosteroids. However, similar blanching scores do not necessarily imply therapeutic equivalence. 12.
Indications
- Clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream is a combination of an azole antifungal and corticosteroid and is indicated for the topical treatment of symptomatic inflammatory tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis due to Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum in patients 17 years and older.
Common Doses
- Refer to label
Dosage
Treatment of tinea corporis or tinea cruris: Apply a thin film of clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream into the affected skin areas twice a day for one week. Do not use more than 45 grams per week. Do not use with occlusive dressings. If a patient shows no clinical improvement after 1 week of treatment with clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream, the diagnosis should be reviewed. Do not use longer than 2 weeks.
Contraindications
- None.
Side Effects
- 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In clinical trials common adverse reaction reported for clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream was paresthesia in 1.9% of patients. Adverse reactions reported at a frequency less than 1% included rash, edema, and secondary infection. 6.
Interactions
- No major interactions listed on the FDA label. Always consult a healthcare professional.