Clotrimazole 1% w/v + Lignocaine 2% w/v ear drops

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Uses 1. To treat ear fungal infection (otomycosis): itchy, red, swollen ear with discharge. 
2. To treat yeast infections itching, redness, or discharge in ear  
3. To reduce redness, itching, and swelling caused by the infection. 
4. To relieve pain and discomfort in the ear while the infection heals. 
5. To prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the ear 
Common Side Effects  1.Mild burning, itching, or stinging at the application site 
2. Redness or irritation in the ear 
3. Mild discomfort or tenderness 
Additional Information 1. Avoid touching the dropper tip to the ear to prevent contamination. 
2. Usually continues for several days to fully clear the infection, even if symptoms improve quickly. 
Storage 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 
2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 
3- Keep away from the reach of children 
How to Take This MedicineInstill this medicine in your ears as ear drops 

Clotrimazole + lignocaine Summary 

Clotrimazole + Lidocaine is a combination medicine that contains an antifungal (Clotrimazole) and a local anesthetic (Lidocaine). It is used to treat fungal infections in the ear, helping relieve symptoms like itching, redness, pain, and swelling. It also helps relieve pain, itching, and discomfort while the antifungal medicine works to clear the infection. Clotrimazole works by killing or stopping the growth of fungi, which reduces redness, swelling, discharge, and irritation, while Lidocaine numbs the nerves to provide quick relief from pain and itching.  

Common side effects may include mild burning, itching, stinging, or redness at the application site, and less common but serious effects can include allergic reactions, blurred vision, hearing changes, dizziness, or worsening pain and discharge, which require immediate medical attention. 

Clotrimazole + lignocaine Uses  

Clotrimazole + Lidocaine ear is a combination medicine used to treat fungal infections and relieve pain/itching. It is useful for the following indications: 

  1. Treat fungal infections in the ear caused by yeast or other fungi. 
  2. Reduce redness, itching, and swelling caused by the infection. 
  3. Relieve pain and discomfort in the ear while the infection heals. 
  4. Prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the ear 

Directions for use

  1. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day. 
  2. Do not stop taking medication without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
  3. If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it. 

Clotrimazole + lignocaine side effects 

More Common  

  1. Mild burning, itching, or stinging at the application site 
  2. Redness or irritation in the ear  
  3. Mild discomfort or tenderness 

Less Common

  1. Severe allergic reactions: Rash, swelling, difficulty breathing 
  2. Hearing changes (ear drops)  
  3. Dizziness or lightheadedness 
  4. Severe pain, worsening redness, or discharge indicating possible worsening infection 

How Clotrimazole + lignocaine works 

Clotrimazole fights fungal infection by damaging the outer layer of the fungal cells, stopping them from growing and multiplying. This helps clear the infection and reduce redness, itching, and discharge. Lidocaine provides fast pain relief by numbing the nerves in the ear, so you feel less discomfort while the antifungal medicine works. Together, the drops treat the infection and make the ear feel comfortable at the same time. 

Safety Measures and Warning 

Allergy Warning

Do not use if allergic to Clotrimazole, Lidocaine, or other ingredients, because it can trigger severe allergic reactions like rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing. 

Ear Health Caution

Avoid if you have a perforated eardrum unless prescribed by a doctor, because the medicine can enter the middle ear and potentially damage ear structures or cause infection. 

Age Restrictions

Not recommended for infants under 2 years unless prescribed, as their ears are more sensitive, and the drug may cause irritation or toxicity. 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Use only if necessary and prescribed, since effects on the unborn baby or infant are not fully known, so unnecessary exposure should be avoided. 

Clotrimazole + lignocaine Interaction with Food Product

Avoid caffeine-containing products like coffee, tea, or energy drinks, as they can sometimes interfere with how the medicine works. You should also avoid alcohol and smoking during the treatment period, because they can increase side effects such as dizziness, heart problems, or delayed healing. 

Clotrimazole + lignocaine Interaction with Other Medicines

Avoid taking Clotrimazole + lignocaine with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal: 

Clotrimazole + lignocaine Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

Clotrimazole: 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)-diphenylmethyl]imidazole

Lignocaine: 2-(diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetamide 

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take Clotrimazole + lignocaine exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor. 

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage. 

Overdose

Do not take clotrimazole + lignocaine ear drops more than 3 times a day. Symptoms for overdosing include severe dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme drowsiness or confusion, ringing in the ears or hearing changes. Immediate medical support is needed in case of any emergency. 

Storage

  1. Store the medicine at room temperature 
  2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture 
  3. Keep out of reach of children 

FAQ’s

1. What are the uses of lidocaine? 

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs an area of the body to reduce pain, itching, or discomfort. 

2. What side effects can lidocaine cause?

You may notice temporary burning, stinging, or redness where the drops are applied. Some people may feel tingling or numbness in the ear. 

3. What is the mechanism of action of lidocaine?  

Lidocaine works by blocking sodium channels in the nerve cells. Sodium is needed for nerves to send signals, including pain signals, to the brain. By blocking sodium, lidocaine prevents the nerve from sending pain messages, which makes the area numb. 

4. What is the mechanism of action of Clotrimazole? 

Clotrimazole works by damaging the cell membrane of fungi, stopping their growth and reproduction. This helps to clear the fungal infection and relieve symptoms like itching, redness, and irritation. 

Reference 

  1. 1mg.com. Candid Ear Drop [Internet]. 1mg. 2025 [cited 2025 Aug 28]. Available from 
  2. Truemeds [Internet]. Truemeds.in. 2019 [cited 2025 Aug 28]. Available from 
  3. PubChem. Clotrimazole [Internet]. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available from 
  4. Drugbank. Clotrimazole [Internet]. Drugbank. 2005. Available from 
  5. Clotrimazole: Antifungal Skin Cream [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from 
  6. PubChem. Lidocaine [Internet]. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available from 
  7. Drugbank. Lidocaine [Internet]. go.drugbank.com. 2005. Available from 

Authors

  • Pranathi Chintaluri

    Pranathi is a final year Pharm D student at Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She loves learning and applying her knowledge in pharmacy and has a passion for writing, which allows her to express ideas clearly and creatively. She enjoys combining her technical skills with her love for writing and communication to make a meaningful impact. Currently she is working on a research paper about “Consanguineous marriages and its impact on children's health” which will be published by the end of 2025.

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  • Mahak Phartyal

    Mahak Phartyal completed her bachelor's in pharmacy from Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University. She previously worked as a Medical Writer at Meril Life Sciences, where she wrote numerous scientific abstracts for conferences such as India Live 2024 and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). During her college years, she developed a keen research interest and published an article titled “Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Physicochemical and Fluorescence Analysis of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and Syzygium cumini Leaves.

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