Glenmark Clotrimazole is a vaginal antifungal treatment for thrush. It comes in two forms — a course of lower-strength applications, and a single 500 mg dose marketed as “Clotrimazole 1”. Both contain the same medicine; they differ only in how the dose is spread out.
What is Glenmark Clotrimazole?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists three entries under this name:
| Product | Schedule | Form | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenmark Clotrimazole | S2 | Vaginal cream | Clotrimazole 100 mg |
| Glenmark Clotrimazole 1 Vaginal Tablet | S2 | Vaginal preparation | Clotrimazole 500 mg |
| Glenmark Clotrimazole 1 | S1 | Vaginal preparation | Clotrimazole 500 mg |
The “1” in the name refers to the number of applications, not the strength or a percentage. It is a single-dose treatment: one 500 mg application, usually at bedtime, rather than a smaller amount repeated over three or six nights.
Both approaches deliver a similar total amount of medicine and work about equally well. The single dose is more convenient; a spread course is sometimes preferred for more troublesome symptoms. Whichever you use, symptoms take a few days to settle after the treatment is finished — the medicine keeps working after the last application.
Clotrimazole is an azole antifungal. Fungal cell membranes depend on ergosterol, a substance human cells do not use; clotrimazole blocks the enzyme that makes it, so the fungal membrane fails while surrounding tissue is unaffected. That selectivity is why an antifungal can be used on delicate tissue with so little trouble.
It is effective against Candida, the yeast that causes vaginal thrush, and it is the same active ingredient as in the clotrimazole creams used for skin infections — at a much higher dose, in a form designed to be inserted.
What is Glenmark Clotrimazole commonly used for?
- Vaginal thrush (vulvovaginal candidiasis) — itching, soreness, burning, and thick white discharge often described as looking like cottage cheese.
- Recurrent thrush, under medical guidance, sometimes as longer or repeated courses.
- Thrush after antibiotics, which is common — broad antibiotics disturb the normal balance of bacteria that keeps yeast in check.
- External vulval itching and soreness, where a skin cream is usually used alongside the internal treatment.
- Male genital thrush, treated with the skin cream rather than this vaginal form.
The most useful thing this page can tell you is that not every vaginal symptom is thrush. That single point prevents most wasted treatment.
- Thrush: itching and soreness are the dominant symptoms, discharge is thick and white and usually has no strong smell.
- Bacterial vaginosis: thin grey or watery discharge with a distinctive fishy smell, often worse after sex. This is bacterial and needs metronidazole — an antifungal will do nothing.
- Trichomoniasis: frothy yellow-green discharge, soreness, sometimes an odour. A sexually transmitted infection needing metronidazole, and partner treatment.
- Chlamydia or gonorrhoea: often no symptoms at all, or discharge, bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain.
If a thrush treatment has not worked, the usual reason is that the problem was never thrush. That is worth a proper diagnosis rather than a second packet.
How Glenmark Clotrimazole fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Treats |
|---|---|---|
| Topical azole antifungals | Clotrimazole, miconazole | Vaginal and skin thrush |
| Oral antifungals | Fluconazole (single capsule) | Thrush, including recurrent cases; nail and scalp fungus |
| Nitroimidazoles | Metronidazole | Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis |
| Antibacterials | Azithromycin (Azrotrin), doxycycline | Chlamydia and other STIs |
| Emollients and barrier creams | Aqueous cream | Soothing irritated vulval skin |
Some people prefer a single fluconazole capsule by mouth to a vaginal preparation. Both work; the oral route has more interactions and is avoided in pregnancy, where the vaginal route is preferred. See the antibiotics and antimicrobials hub.
What to check before using Glenmark Clotrimazole
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor rather than self-treating if:
- This is your first episode of these symptoms — a diagnosis is worth having once.
- You are under 16 or over 60.
- You have had more than two episodes in six months.
- You are pregnant. Vaginal clotrimazole is commonly used in pregnancy, but confirm first, and use it without an applicator unless a doctor advises otherwise.
- You have symptoms that do not fit thrush — fever, pelvic or lower abdominal pain, an unpleasant smell, bleeding between periods or after sex, blisters or sores.
- You have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Thrush is more frequent and more stubborn, and recurrent thrush occasionally uncovers undiagnosed diabetes.
- You have had a previous reaction to an antifungal.
Using it:
- Insert at bedtime, lying down, so it stays in place overnight.
- Use the applicator provided, unless pregnant or told otherwise.
- You can use it during a period, though many prefer to wait — but do not use tampons while treating, as they absorb the medicine.
- Vaginal antifungals damage latex condoms and diaphragms. Use additional contraception during treatment and for at least five days afterwards. This is easily missed and matters.
- Avoid sex during treatment, both for comfort and because it reduces effectiveness.
- Treat external itching with clotrimazole skin cream if needed.
- Expect a few days before symptoms fully settle.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Side effects are usually mild and local — burning, stinging, itching or irritation on application, often in the first minutes.
Stop and seek advice if irritation is severe or worsening. An allergic reaction to the preparation is uncommon but can look like the infection getting worse.
Get emergency help for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash.
Contact a doctor if:
- Symptoms have not improved within a week, or return within two months.
- You develop fever, pelvic or abdominal pain, or feel generally unwell — that may indicate a more serious infection.
- There is unusual bleeding, bleeding after sex, or bleeding between periods.
- There are blisters, ulcers or sores.
- Thrush is recurring repeatedly — this is a recognised problem with recognised treatment approaches, and it should not be managed indefinitely from the pharmacy shelf.
- You are pregnant and have any vaginal symptoms.
- Your partner has symptoms — male genital thrush is treatable, and untreated it can pass back.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Glenmark Clotrimazole 1 used for? Treating vaginal thrush. The “1” means one single 500 mg application rather than a course over several nights.
Does the 1 mean 1%? No. It refers to the number of doses. The single application contains 500 mg of clotrimazole.
How long does it take to work? Itching usually eases within a day or two, but symptoms can take several days to settle fully after the treatment is finished.
Can I use it during my period? You can, though many prefer to wait. Do not use tampons during treatment — they absorb the medicine.
Will it affect condoms? Yes. Vaginal antifungals weaken latex condoms and diaphragms. Use additional contraception during treatment and for at least five days after.
Can I use it in pregnancy? Vaginal clotrimazole is commonly used in pregnancy, but check with a doctor or pharmacist first and avoid the applicator.
It didn’t work — what now? See a doctor. The commonest reason a thrush treatment fails is that the problem was bacterial vaginosis or another infection rather than thrush.
Do I need a prescription? No. These are Schedule 1 and 2 products, available from a pharmacy without one.