Key takeaways:
Lotrimin (clotrimazole) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream that’s used to treat skin infections such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. It works by damaging the protective outer layer of the fungus that’s causing the infection, which ultimately kills it.
You should start to see improvements in your symptoms about 1 week after starting treatment with Lotrimin. But you’ll need to keep using it to fully treat the infection. Jock itch needs at least 2 weeks of treatment. Athlete’s foot and ringworm will take at least 4 weeks.
Lotrimin is available as a lower-cost generic medication. If your healthcare provider writes you a prescription for the generic version, GoodRx may be able to help you save over 80% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Table of contents
When Lotrimin starts working
Length of treatment
How Lotrimin works
Lotrimin vs. Lotrimin Ultra
Lotrimin and nail fungus
How to save
Bottom line
References
Athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm are common types of minor fungal skin infections. Usually, the first step in treating these infections is an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream. Lotrimin (clotrimazole) is a popular and effective choice.
For many people using the medication, a common question is: How long does it take for Lotrimin to work? Below, we’ll answer five frequently asked questions about the antifungal cream.
Note: The Lotrimin line of products includes a few different antifungal medications. This article will focus on Lotrimin cream, which contains the active ingredient clotrimazole.
1. How long does it take for Lotrimin to work?
Lotrimin starts working about 1 week after you begin using it. But it usually takes a few weeks to fully treat a fungal infection. So it’s important to keep applying Lotrimin for the entire recommended time, even if your symptoms improve. Stopping treatment too soon can cause your infection to come back and be harder to treat.
Good to know: Lotrimin doesn’t work for scalp ringworm. You’ll need to take an oral antifungal for this type of infection. Speak with your provider if you believe you have scalp ringworm.
2. How long do you have to apply Lotrimin?
The length of time Lotrimin is applied depends on the infection being treated. For all infections, the medication should be applied to the affected area(s) twice a day. If you’re treating jock itch, you should apply Lotrimin for 2 weeks. For athlete’s foot, ringworm, or tinea versicolor, you should apply it for 4 weeks.
Keep in mind that there may still be fungi living on your skin even after your symptoms start to clear up. Applying Lotrimin for the entire recommended time (2 or 4 weeks) helps to fully clear the infection. Stopping treatment too early can allow any remaining fungi to start growing again.
If you notice your symptoms aren’t improving or are getting worse after completing the full treatment course, reach out to your healthcare provider. Lotrimin may not be the right option for the infection you have.
3. How does Lotrimin work to treat athlete’s foot?
The fungus that causes athlete’s foot has an outer layer that helps protect it. Lotrimin works to treat athlete’s foot by preventing the fungus from building its protective outer layer. This stops the fungus from growing and ultimately kills it.
Lotrimin works for jock itch, ringworm, and tinea versicolor the same way. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is very similar to the fungi that cause these other infections.
4. What’s the difference between Lotrimin and Lotrimin Ultra?
Lotrimin and Lotrimin Ultra (butenafine) have similar names, but they contain different active ingredients. Lotrimin contains clotrimazole, while Lotrimin Ultra contains butenafine. Both medications work by preventing fungus from building its protective outer layer. But the directions for using Lotrimin Ultra are a bit different from those for Lotrimin.
Lotrimin Ultra only needs to be applied once a day. If you’re treating jock itch or ringworm, you should apply it for 2 weeks. If you’re treating athlete’s foot, you should apply it for 4 weeks. If you want to treat athlete’s foot faster, you can apply Lotrimin Ultra twice a day for 1 week instead. Lotrimin Ultra shouldn’t be used to treat tinea versicolor without a healthcare provider’s OK.
5. Why can’t you use Lotrimin on nails?
Since Lotrimin is an effective treatment for athlete's foot, it’s reasonable to wonder if it also treats toenail fungus. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Lotrimin can’t penetrate the toenails or fingernails to kill fungus.
If you have a fungal nail infection, talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options. They can prescribe an oral medication or a topical medication that can penetrate the nails. Nail fungus can be hard to treat and often requires treatment for several weeks or months.
How to save on Lotrimin
There are ways to save on Lotrimin, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. If your healthcare provider writes you a prescription for the generic version, GoodRx may be able to help you save over 80% off the average retail price. Generic clotrimazole’s price at certain pharmacies may be less than $7.74 with a free GoodRx coupon.
The bottom line
Lotrimin (clotrimazole) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medication that treats athlete’s foot. It can also treat jock itch, ringworm, and tinea versicolor. Lotrimin typically starts working within 1 week. But it can take 2 to 4 weeks to fully treat an infection. To prevent your infection from coming back, it’s important to keep applying it twice daily for the entire recommended time.
Lotrimin works by preventing the fungus causing your infection from building its protective outer layer. Lotrimin doesn’t work for fungal nail infections or scalp ringworm. Your healthcare provider can prescribe an antifungal medication that will work better for these infections.
References
A-S Medication Solutions. (2023). Clotrimazole - clotrimazole cream [package insert].
Bayer Healthcare LLC. (2023). Lotrimin Ultra Athlete’s Foot - butenafine hydrochloride cream [package insert]. DailyMed.
View All References (4)
expand_more
DailyMed. (n.d.). Lotrimin. National Library of Medicine.
Khatter, N. J., et al. (2023). Clotrimazole. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2016). Tinea infections.
MedlinePlus. (2018). Clotrimazole topical.
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
Was this page helpful?
Subscribe and save.
Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up.
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.