Clotrimazole (CMZ)

Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication commonly used in the treatment of fungal infections (of both humans and other animals) such as vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, and ringworm. It is also used to treat athlete's foot and jock itch. It is commonly available as an over-the-counter substance in various dosage forms, such as a cream, and also (especially in the case of ear infection) as a combination medicine. It is also available as a troche or throat lozenge (prescription only). For ear infection, it is often applied in liquid form, as ear drops. Clotrimazole is also commonly used in conjunction with betamethasone. Additionally, clotrimazole is used to treat the sickling of cells (related to sickle cell anemia) by blocking ion channels or clocip B channels in the red blood cell membrane, keeping ions and water within the cell.