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Using Prescription Clioquinol to Treat Bacterial and Fungal Infections

By on October 11, 2012

Clioquinol is a topical antibiotic medication that is used to treat certain types of skin infections. It can be used to treat infections like ringworm, athlete’s foot, eczema, and jock itch. If you have any of these types of skin infections, you might want to ask your doctor about Clioquinol.

Usage and Prescribing Information

Clioquinol has to be prescribed by a doctor and comes in different forms such as ointment, cream, and lotion. This medication is only intended for external topical use and should never be ingested.

There are two different medications in Clioquinol. It contains iodochlorhydroxyquin and hydrocortisone. These two ingredients work together to kill and prevent the growth of bacteria or fungus, and to relieve itching, redness, and swelling that may occur. Clioquinol can be prescribed as the following brand names: Topic Form HC, Corque, Viocort, and Albaform. The generic name is Clioquinol/hydrocortisone – Topical.

Anyone under the age of two should not use this medication and will not be prescribed it by a doctor. You should always follow the instructions of your doctor on the use of the medication, or follow the instructions on the packaging. Generally it is used 3-4 times daily. You should clean the infected area and wash your hands thoroughly, then apply a thin layer of Clioquinol and rub it in. After applying there is no further action required and you must keep the infected area free and not covered, unless you are told to cover it by your doctor. Wash your hands immediately after applying and try not to get the medication in your nose, eyes, or mouth. If you do happen to get the Clioquinol in these areas, flush with cool water.

To get the maximum benefits from Clioquinol, you should follow directions exactly and use just as instructed by your doctor. Try not to miss a dose, and if you do, do not double-up to make up for it.

Precautions and Possible Side Effects

If you are prescribed or are about to be prescribed Clioquinol by your doctor, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Let your doctor know if you have any types of allergies since some ingredients in the medication could cause a reaction or an outbreak and could make your infection worse. You should especially be aware of the risks if you have conditions like bad blood circulation or immune system issues.

There are a few side effects that have been reported by people that have taken Clioquinol. They include dry skin, worsening of the infection, skin burning, skin irritation, increase in hair growth, and acne. If you are having any of these side effects, you should let your doctor know as they might need to change you to a different medication.

Clioquinol is only for anyone over the age of two, and any woman that is pregnant or nursing should not take this medication. It is unknown the possible side effects it could have on a baby or fetus.