Clotrimazole

(Date: January 2023. Version: 4)

This factsheet has been written for members of the public by the UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS). UKTIS is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on behalf of UK Health Departments. UKTIS has been providing scientific information to health care providers since 1983 on the effects that medicines, recreational drugs and chemicals may have on the developing baby during pregnancy.

Quick read

Clotrimazole can be used in pregnancy and is the first-choice treatment for thrush.

What is it?

Clotrimazole cream and pessaries (Canesten®) are used to treat vaginal thrush. Clotrimazole can be bought over the counter.

What are the benefits of using clotrimazole in pregnancy?

Clotrimazole is an effective treatment for thrush and improves quality of life by relieving symptoms such as itching, burning, and vaginal discharge.

Are there any risks of using clotrimazole during pregnancy?

There are no known risks of using clotrimazole in pregnancy.

Are there any alternatives to using clotrimazole?

Possibly. Other antifungal medicines are available, but clotrimazole is usually the first choice for use in pregnancy as it is considered to be the safest option.

What if I prefer not to use clotrimazole during pregnancy?

Untreated thrush can affect quality of life, and in some studies, has been linked to a higher chance of preterm delivery. A doctor or midwife will discuss any concerns you may have about using clotrimazole in pregnancy.

Will my baby need extra monitoring?

You will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of your routine antenatal care. Using clotrimazole in pregnancy is not expected to cause problems that would require any extra monitoring of your baby prior to birth.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has used clotrimazole?

We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father uses clotrimazole.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system allows women with a current or previous pregnancy to create a digitally secure ‘my bumps record’. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, and your pregnancy outcome. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Login/ to register.

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General information 

Up to 1 out of every 5 pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, and 1 in 40 babies are born with a birth defect. These are referred to as the background population risks.  They describe the chance of these events happening for any pregnancy before taking factors such as the mother’s health during pregnancy, her lifestyle, medicines she takes and the genetic make up of her and the baby’s father into account.

Medicines use in pregnancy

Most medicines used by the mother will cross the placenta and reach the baby. Sometimes this may have beneficial effects for the baby.  There are, however, some medicines that can harm a baby’s normal development.  How a medicine affects a baby may depend on the stage of pregnancy when the medicine is taken. If you are on regular medication you should discuss these effects with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please ensure the doctor or health care professional treating you is aware of your pregnancy.

When deciding whether or not to use a medicine in pregnancy you need to weigh up how the medicine might improve your and/or your unborn baby’s health against any possible problems that the drug may cause. Our bumps leaflets are written to provide you with a summary of what is known about use of a specific medicine in pregnancy so that you can decide together with your health care provider what is best for you and your baby.   

Every pregnancy is unique. The decision to start, stop, continue or change a prescribed medicine before or during pregnancy should be made in consultation with your health care provider. It is very helpful if you can record all your medication taken in pregnancy in your hand held maternity records.

   

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to replace the individual care and advice of your health care provider. New information is continually becoming available. Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that this information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, we cannot cover every eventuality and the information providers cannot be held responsible for any adverse outcomes following decisions made on the basis of this information. We strongly advise that printouts should NOT be kept for any length of time, or for “future reference” as they can rapidly become out of date.

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