Two medicines, side by side
Clotrimazole vs nystatin
Clotrimazole and nystatin are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clotrimazole since 1975 and of nystatin since 1971. Pharmacies paid $0.133 per gram (Clotrimazole 1% topical cream) and $0.175 per gram (Nystatin 100,000 unit/g cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, clotrimazole is an azole antifungal and nystatin a polyene antifungal.
Check it at the source: the clotrimazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026); the nystatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 1, 2026).
Highlights of the clotrimazole record
Clotrimazole (Cvs) · label of January 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClotrimazole cream USP is indicated for the topical treatment of candidiasis due to Candida albicans and tinea versicolor due to Malassezia furfur. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 3, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.133 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the nystatin record
Nystatin (Klayesta) · label of May 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNystatin cream is indicated in the treatment of cutaneous or mucocutaneous mycotic infections caused by Candida albicans and other susceptible Candida species. This cream is not indicated for systemic, oral, intravaginal or ophthalmic use.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 14, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 40 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.175 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 18
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clotrimazole label of January 30, 2026, Nystatin label of May 1, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clotrimazole and nystatin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clotrimazole is an azole antifungal and nystatin a polyene antifungal.
Generics: clotrimazole since 1993; nystatin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clotrimazole | Nystatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Azole Antifungal | Polyene Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 3, 1975 | April 14, 1971 |
| First generic approved | July 16, 1993 | July 8, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 40 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.133 per gram (Clotrimazole 1% topical cream) | $0.175 per gram (Nystatin 100,000 unit/g cream) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 12,230 | 27,281 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Clotrimazole label, drug interactionsDrug Interactions Synergism or antagonism between clotrimazole and nystatin, or amphotericin B, or flucytosine against strains of C. albicans has not been reported.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clotrimazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions