General Information

Lotrisone contains two compounds - a synthetic corticosteroid (betamethasone dipropionate) and a synthetic antifungal agent (clotrimazole) - that target different aspects of fungal infection.

Lotrisone is specifically indicated for symptomatic inflammatory tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis due to Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum in patients 17 years and older

Lotrisone is supplied as a cream for topical administration. The recommended dose is as follows:

Tinea pedis: Apply a thin film to the affected skin areas twice a day for 2 weeks. Do not use longer than 4 weeks.

Tinea cruris and tinea corporis: Apply a thin film to the affected skin area twice a day for 1 week. Do not use longer than 2 weeks.

Do not use with occlusive dressings unless directed by a physician. Not for ophthalmic, oral or intravaginal use.

Mechanism of Action

Clotrimazole is a broad-spectrum, antifungal agent used for the treatment of superficial infections caused by species of pathogenic dermatophytes, yeasts, and Malassezia furfur. The mechanism of action involves inhibition of the synthesis of ergosterol, a major sterol in the fungal cell membrane. This leads to instability of the cell membrane and eventual death of the fungus.

Betamethasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties. The exact mechanisms of action of corticosteroids in each disease are uncertain; however, betamethasone dipropionate has been shown to have dermatological and systemic pharmacologic and metabolic effects characteristic of this class of drugs.

Clinical Trial Results

In clinical trials of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis, subjects treated with Lotrisone cream showed a better clinical response at the first return visit than subjects treated with clotrimazole cream. In tinea corporis and tinea cruris, the subject returned 3 to 5 days after starting treatment, and in tinea pedis, after 1 week. Mycological cure rates observed in subjects treated with Lotrisone cream were as good as, or better than, in those subjects treated with clotrimazole cream. In these same clinical studies, patients treated with Lotrisone cream showed better clinical responses and mycological cure rates when compared with subjects treated with betamethasone dipropionate cream.