Clotrimazole

What are Clotrimazole vaginal tablets?

Clotrimazole vaginal tablets or ‘pessaries’ are antifungal tablets you insert into your vagina to treat vaginal thrush infections. The tablet comes with a disposable applicator to make insertion easy. You then just need to wait for it to dissolve.

Thrush is an infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast cells called candida in your vagina and/or vulva. Clotrimazole targets the yeast cells and kills off the infection, curing your symptoms.

How does a Clotrimazole pessary work?

Clotrimazole vaginal tablets work by targeting the yeast that causes the infections. The active ingredient in Clotrimazole vaginal tablets, clotrimazole, is a powerful antifungal treatment. It pierces the outer membrane of each yeast cell, damaging them. Clotrimazole also blocks the yeast cells from producing ergosterol, which is a substance that serves the same function cholesterol does in the human body.

Ergosterol keeps the yeast cells alive and helps them reproduce. Clotrimazole vaginal tablets work locally in your vagina. They kill off the yeast cells there and limit their growth. So using these tablets helps to cure your vaginal thrush.

What doses of Clotrimazole vaginal tablets are there?

Clotrimazole vaginal tablets are available in one 500mg dose. You will usually only need one tablet to clear up your vaginal thrush infection. If it has been seven days since you started your treatment and your infection is still around, go back to your clinician. You may need another tablet, or a different course of treatment. If you’ve had more than two instances of vaginal thrush in six months, tell your clinician. There may be something else causing your infection to keep coming back.

How to use Clotrimazole vaginal tablets

Always use your Clotrimazole pessary as your clinician tells you to.

• Wash your hands before you insert the tablet
• Take the applicator out of its packaging
• Take the tablet out of its foil package
• Put the tablet into the open end of the applicator. Squeeze each side of the applicator gently and push the tablet in
• Insert the applicator into your vagina as deeply as is comfortable. To make this easier, you may want to lie back with your legs up and apart
• Hold the applicator while pushing the plunger as far as possible. Do this until the Clotrimazole tablet is in your vagina
• Remove the applicator from your vagina and dispose of it. Don’t flush it down the toilet

How long does it take for a Clotrimazole pessary to work?

Most of the symptoms of your infection will have disappeared within a couple of days. So things like itching, redness and discharge should vanish pretty quickly. You’ll need to wait for the tablet to dissolve fully in your vagina, which takes about three days. The yeast cells will need to be combatted fully so that your infection won’t come back in a few days.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Clotrimazole vaginal tablets?

Only put the tablet in your vagina. Don’t swallow the tablet. If you accidentally get it in your mouth or swallow it, seek medical attention right away. Each pack of Clotrimazole vaginal tablets only contains one tablet, which is one treatment.

Only use the one tablet as directed, unless your clinician prescribes you another. Don’t insert two tablets at once. Don’t use Clotrimazole vaginal tablets when you’re on your period, as this can affect you absorbing the medication.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Daniel Atkinson

GP Clinical Lead

on November 11, 2022.

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