Lamisil (terbinafine) vs. Lotrimin (clotrimazole)

• LamisilCream (terbinafine) and Lotrimin (clotrimazole) are antifungal agents applied to the skin used to treatfungal nails,jock itch, andathlete's foot.
• Other forms of Lotrimin are also used to treat vaginal yeast infections,oral thrush,tinea versicolor, ortinea corporis.
• LamisilCream and Lotrimin Cream are availableover-the-counter(OTC) and as a generic.
• Side effects of Lamisil Cream and Lotrimin that are similar includeitchingandhivesat the application site.
• Side effects of Lamisil Cream that are different from Lotrimin includeheadache,cough,diarrhea,abdominal pain, and altered taste and smell sensation.
• Side effects of Lotrimin that are different from Lamisil Cream include local redness, stinging,blistering, peeling, swelling, or burning at the area of application; andnauseaandvomiting(oral forms).

• Lamisil Cream (terbinafine)is an antifungal agent applied to the skin prescribed for the treatment offungal nails, jockitch, andathlete's foot. Lamisil Cream acts by interfering with the ability of fungi to make chemicals called sterols that are an important part of the membrane that surrounds fungal cells and holds them together. This weakens the cell membrane.
• Lotrimin (clotrimazole)is an anti-fungal medication related tofluconazole(Diflucan),ketoconazole(Nizoral),itraconazole(Sporanox), andmiconazole(Micatin,Monistat). It prevents growth of several types of fungi by preventing interfering with the production of the membrane that surrounds fungal cells. It is used topically on the skin, inserted vaginally or allowed to dissolve in the mouth for localfungal infectionsdue to Candida albicans, including vaginal yeast infections, oralthrush,tinea versicolor,tinea pedis("athlete's foot"),tinea cruris("jockitch") ortinea corporis.

Lamisil side effects

The most common side effects of terbinafine are:

• headache,
• cough,
• diarrhea,
• abdominal pain,
• hives,
• itchingand
• altered taste and smell sensation.

Oral terbinafine can causeliverfailure sometimes leading tolivertransplantation or death.

Lotrimin side effects

The most commonly noted side effects associated with clotrimazole include:

• local redness,
• stinging,
• blistering,
• peeling,
• swelling,
• itching,
• hives, or
• burning at the area of application.

Other side effects includenauseaandvomiting, which may be caused by the oral forms.

Lamisil dosage

• Tablets: The usual dose is 250 mg once daily for 6 weeks for treatment of the fingernails, and 12 weeks for treatment of toenails. Optimal results will not be seen for several months after treatment because it takes time for new healthy nails to grow. Terbinafine may be taken with or without food.
• Cream, gel, spray, solution: Apply to affected area (s) once (jock itch,ringworm) or twice daily (athletes foot) for about for 1 week.

Lotrimin dosage

• The troche (lozenge) should slowly dissolve in the mouth. One troche is administered 5 times daily for 14 days. Clotrimazole cream, lotion, or solution is applied to the affected and surrounding skin areas, generally twice daily in the morning and evening.
• The vaginal cream is inserted via applicator once daily, preferably at night, for 7 consecutive days.
• The 100 mg vaginal suppository is inserted once daily, preferably at bedtime, for 7 consecutive days.
• The 200 mg vaginal suppository is inserted once daily for 3 days, preferably at bedtime.

Lamisil drug interactions

• Rifampin reduces oral terbinafine blood concentrations, potentially reducing the efficacy of terbinafine.Cimetidine(Tagamet) may increase oral terbinafine blood levels, potentially increasing side effects of terbinafine.Fluconazole(Diflucan) increases the blood levels of oral terbinafine by 52%-69%. Potentially leading to increased side effects.

Lotrimin drug interactions

• Nodrug interactionshave been associated with taking Lotrimin

Lamisil

• There are no adequate studies inpregnantwomen. Sincenail fungustreatment can be delayed until afterpregnancythere is no reason to use oral terbinafine duringpregnancy.
• Breastfeedingmothers should not use oral terbinafine because terbinafine passes intobreast milk.

Lotrimin

• Clotrimazole is very poorly absorbed into the blood and the body after application to the skin or the vagina. Studies in women in their second or thirdtrimestersofpregnancyhave demonstrated no ill effects. No data is available inpregnantwomen during theirfirst trimester. Rats given large amounts of clotrimazole via the vagina have demonstrated no ill effects. The oral troche has not been adequately evaluated inpregnantwomen.
• It is not known if clotrimazole is secreted inbreast milk.