Lotrisone

Description:

Lotrisone (CLOTRIMAZOLE + BETAMETHASONE) contain a combination of a steroid (betamethasone) and an antifungal drug (clotrimazole). Lotrisone is used to treat skin infections caused by fungus, such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm of the body.
Betamethasone treats symptoms (such as itching, redness, swelling, and inflammation) that result from fungus infections, while clotrimazole treats the cause of the infection by inhibiting the growth of certain yeast and fungus organisms. If the infection is not inflamed, your doctor may prescribe a different medication.

Product Description

Common uses

Lotrisone is intended to treat fungal infections with tinea pedis, tinea cruris or tinea corporis. These infections are treated more effectively with combination drug Lotrisone than with separate use of betamethasone dipropionate or clotrimazole.

Before using

Do not use this Lotrisone if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:
• betamethasone (such as Betaderm, Diprolene, Luxiq, Taclonex, Uticort, Valisone);
• clotrimazole (such as Desenex, Lotrimin, Mycelex);
• other topical steroid medications such as alclometasone (Aclovate), clobetasol (Olux, Temovate), desonide (Desowen), desoximetasone (Topicort), diflorasone (Florone, Psorcon), fluocinolone (Capex, Dermotic, Fluonid, Fluorosyn, Synalar), fluocinonide (Dermacin, Lidex), fluticasone (Cutivate), halcinonide (Halog), halobetasol (Ultravate), mometasone (Elocon), triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenalog); or
• other topical antibiotics such as econazole (Spectazole), ketoconazole (Kuric, Nizoral), miconazole (Cruex, Desenex, Fungoid, Lotrimin, Micatin, Monistat), sertaconazole (Ertaczo), or sulconazole (Exelderm).
Before using Lotrisone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have any type of skin infection. You may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Directions

Usually the cream is prescribed to be used 2 times a day (morning and evening) by appling it onto the affected and related to it parts of the skin.
Wash your hands before and after applying Lotrisone. If you are using Lotrisone lotion, shake it well before using. Lotrisone is for use only on the skin. Be careful to keep it out of the eyes, mouth, and vaginal area. Gently massage it into the affected area and surrounding skin twice a day, in the morning and evening.
Use Lotrisone for the full time prescribed, even if your condition has improved.
Lotrisone should be applied sparingly to the groin area, and it should not be used for longer than 2 weeks. Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Cautions

Steroid drugs (such as betamethasone) can affect the functioning of the adrenal, hypothalamic, and pituitary glands and temporarily produce sugar in the urine, excessive blood sugar levels, and a disorder called Cushing's syndrome. Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include acne, depression, excessive hair growth, humped upper back, insomnia, moon-faced appearance, muscle weakness, obese trunk, paranoia, stretch marks, stunted growth (in children), wasted limbs, and susceptibility to bruising, fractures, and infection.
Do not take Lotrisone cream or lotion internally and be sure to keep it away from your eyes.
If you are using Lotrisone to treat jock itch (tinea cruris) or a fungal infection of the skin, called tinea corporis, and there has been no improvement after 1 week, notify your doctor.
If you are using Lotrisone to treat athlete's foot (tinea pedis), notify your doctor if there is no improvement after 2 weeks of treatment.
Do not use Lotrisone for any condition other than the one for which it was prescribed. Do not use Lotrisone in the groin area or on the body for longer than 2 weeks or in the foot area for longer than 4 weeks.
Lotrisone should be used with caution by adults over age 65. In older adults, Lotrisone may cause skin reactions, especially thinning skin.

Possible side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue using Lotrisone.
• Side effects may include:
Blistering, burning, dry skin, hives, infection, irritated skin, itching, peeling, reddened skin, skin eruptions and rash, stinging, swelling, tingling sensation

If you take too much

Any medication used in excess can have serious consequences. A life-threatening overdose of Lotrisone, which is applied to the skin, is unlikely. However, misuse or overuse of Lotrisone can cause disorders such as Cushing's syndrome. Be sure to check with your doctor if you suspect such a problem.

Additional information

When you use Lotrisone, you inevitably absorb some of the medication through your skin and into the bloodstream. Too much absorption can lead to unwanted side effects elsewhere in the body. To keep this problem to a minimum, avoid using large amounts of Lotrisone cream or lotion over wide areas, and do not cover it with airtight dressings such as plastic wrap or adhesive bandage unless specifically told to by your doctor. If widespread application is unavoidable, your doctor may order periodic tests to make sure your body is not absorbing too much of this medication.

Drug interactions

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied Lotrisone. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.