Candistan Cream is an effective topical medication widely used to treat various types of fungal infections affecting the superficial layers of the skin and adjacent mucous membranes. This cream belongs to an important class of medications known as antifungals, characterized by their ability to inhibit the growth of a variety of pathogenic fungi and effectively eliminate them. Candistan Cream works by interfering with basic fungal biological processes, such as cell membrane synthesis, leading to fungal cell damage and death. This helps relieve the annoying symptoms associated with fungal infections, such as itching, redness, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort. This cream is used to treat a wide range of common fungal skin infections affecting various areas of the body.
Active Ingredient in Candistan Cream
Candistan Cream typically contains the following active ingredient, which is the basis of its antifungal therapeutic effect:
Clotrimazole: This chemical compound belongs to the imidazole class of broad-spectrum antifungals. Clotrimazole is effective against a wide variety of skin fungi, including dermatophytes (which cause ringworm) and yeasts (such as Candida, which causes yeast infections). Clotrimazole works by inhibiting a key enzyme in fungi called cytochrome P450, which plays a crucial role in the synthesis of ergosterol, a key component of the fungal cell membrane. Inhibition of this enzyme results in a deficiency of ergosterol, which weakens the integrity of the fungal cell membrane and ultimately leads to fungal death.
Available Concentrations
Candistan Cream is usually available in one standard concentration of the active ingredient clotrimazole to ensure an effective and uniform dose with each application:
1% Clotrimazole: This is the most common and widely used concentration in most commercially available Candistan Cream formulations.
The cream is usually applied in a thin, gentle layer to the affected area of skin or mucous membranes and surrounding areas two or three times a day. Treatment should typically last between two and four weeks, or as directed by your physician. It is important to continue using the cream for the full prescribed period, even if symptoms improve significantly early on, to ensure complete elimination of the fungal infection and prevent recurrence. The length of treatment may vary depending on the type, severity, and location of the fungal infection.
Indications for Use of Candistan Cream
Candistan Cream is used effectively to treat a wide range of common fungal skin infections, including:
Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot): This is a common fungal infection of the skin of the feet, particularly between the toes, characterized by itching, scaling, redness, and cracking.
Tinea Corporis (Tinea Corporis): This is a fungal infection of the skin of the trunk and extremities, appearing as circular or ring-shaped red patches with raised, scaly edges.
Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch): This is a fungal infection of the groin, groin, and external genitalia, characterized by severe itching, redness, and a rash.
Tinea versicolor: A fungal infection of the skin of the trunk and upper extremities. It appears as small, discolored patches (lighter or darker than normal skin color) and slightly scaly.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis: A common fungal infection of the vagina and vulva, causing severe itching, a thick white discharge, irritation, and redness. Candesartan is also available in vaginal formulations specifically for the treatment of this condition.
Other fungal skin infections: Such as cutaneous candidiasis and other fungal skin infections caused by other fungi sensitive to clotrimazole.