Welcome readers, today we bring you a new article through which you can learn about the benefits, side effects, precautions and others of Gelmicin, a drug composed of clotrimazole and betamethasone for the treatment of fungi. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to write to us, we will respond as soon as possible.
Index
What is Gelmicin for?
Gelmicin is a topical combination of clotrimazole and betamethasone, used to treat fungal infections. Clotrimazole works by killing the fungus or preventing it from growing. Betamethasone, a corticosteroid (a medicine similar to cortisone or steroid), is used to help relieve the redness, swelling, itching, and other discomforts of yeast infections.
Gelimcin topical cream or lotion is applied to the skin to treat:
- Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot,
- Tinea cruris or fungal infection of the skin of the genitals, and
- Tinea corporis or fungal infection of the skin in general.
This medicine is available only with a prescription from your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Cream
- Lotion
How should I use Gelmicin?
This cream is for external use only. Do not take it by mouth. Follow the directions on the medicine label. Wash your hands before and after use. If treating hand or nail infections, wash your hands only before use. Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area and rub in gently. Do not cover or wrap the treated area with an airtight bandage (such as a plastic bandage). Use the prescribed full treatment cream, even if you think the condition is improving. Use the medicine at regular intervals. Do not use more often than directed. Do not use on healthy skin or large areas of skin. Do not use this medicine for any condition other than what it was prescribed for. When applying to the groin area, Apply a small amount and do not use for more than 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your doctor or healthcare professional. Do not get this cream in your eyes. If you do, rinse with plenty of cool tap water.
Talk to your pediatrician about the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children up to 17 years of age for selected conditions, precautions apply. Patients over 65 years of age may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdose: If you think you have taken too much of this drug, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away.
What should I watch out for while using Gelmicin?
If you use this medication on your body or groin, tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not improve within 1 week. If you use this medicine on your feet, tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve within 2 weeks. Tell your doctor if your skin infection returns after you stop using this cream.
If you are using this cream for conditions in the groin area, be sure to dry it completely after bathing. Do not wear tight-fitting underwear or underwear made from synthetic fibers such as nylon. Wear loose cotton underwear.
If you are using this athlete’s foot cream, be sure to dry your feet carefully after bathing, especially between the toes. Do not wear socks made of wool or synthetic materials such as nylon. Wear clean cotton socks and change them at least once a day, change more if your feet sweat a lot. Also, try to wear sandals or shoes that are well ventilated.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What side effects can Gelmicin have?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible are:
- allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue
- dark red spots on the skin
- Lack of healing of the skin condition.
- loss of sensation in the skin
- pain, redness, pus
- filled blisters on hair follicles
- skin infection
- sores or blisters that don’t heal properly
- thinning skin or sunburn
Side effects that generally do not require medical attention (tell your doctor or healthcare professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- dry or flaky skin
- mild skin irritation, burning, or itching
Precautions when taking Gelmicin
If your skin infection does not improve within 1 week for groin conditions or body conditions, and 2 weeks for athlete’s foot, or if it worsens, see your doctor.
Using this medicine too much or using it for a long time can increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is higher for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms while using this medicine: blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats, increased thirst or urination, irritability or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Check with your doctor right away if you have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, redness, or skin irritation. Like if you have blurred vision, difficulty reading or any other change in vision during or after treatment. Your doctor may want an ophthalmologist (oculist) to check your eyes. Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.
To help clear the skin infection completely and make sure it doesn’t come back, the following good health habits are important:
For patients using this medicine for athlete’s foot:
- Dry your feet carefully, especially between the toes, after bathing.
- Avoid wearing socks made of wool or synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear clean cotton socks and change them daily or more often if your feet are sweating freely.
- Wear well-ventilated shoes (eg, shoes with holes) or sandals.
- Use a soft, absorbent powder (eg, talcum powder) or antifungal powder loosely between the toes, on the feet, and on socks and shoes once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after clotrimazole and betamethasone cream have been applied and it has disappeared on the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for yeast infection.
For patients using this drug for groin conditions:
- Gently dry the groin area after bathing.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear or underwear made of synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose cotton underwear.
- Use a mild, absorbent powder (eg talcum powder) or antifungal powder loosely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after clotrimazole and betamethasone cream have been applied and it has disappeared on the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for yeast infection.
For patients using this drug for conditions in the body in general:
- Dry well after bathing.
- Avoid too much heat and humidity if possible. Try to prevent moisture from accumulating in the affected areas of the body.
- Wear well ventilated clothing.
- Use a mild, absorbent powder (eg talcum powder) or antifungal powder loosely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after clotrimazole and betamethasone cream have been applied and it has disappeared on the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for yeast infection.
- If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.