Quick Answer: Lamisil AT cream (terbinafine 1%, an allylamine) is labeled to cure most athlete’s foot, jock itch and ringworm. Its label directs 1 week twice daily between the toes, 2 weeks twice daily on the bottom or sides of the foot, and 1 week once daily for jock itch and ringworm. Clotrimazole 1% cream (an azole) is applied twice daily for 4 weeks for athlete’s foot and ringworm, or 2 weeks for jock itch. A Cochrane review found both classes far better than placebo, with allylamines curing slightly more athlete’s foot infections. Neither works on nails or scalp.
Lamisil vs Clotrimazole at a Glance
| Feature | Lamisil AT cream (terbinafine 1%) | Clotrimazole 1% cream |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Allylamine | Azole (imidazole) |
| Labeled uses | Athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm | Athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm |
| Athlete’s foot (label) | Between toes: twice daily 1 week; bottom/sides: twice daily 2 weeks | Twice daily for 4 weeks |
| Jock itch (label) | Once daily for 1 week | Twice daily for 2 weeks |
| Ringworm (label) | Once daily for 1 week | Twice daily for 4 weeks |
| Ages (label) | 12 and older; under 12 ask a doctor | Not under 2 unless directed by a doctor |
| Not for | Nails, scalp, mouth/eyes, vaginal yeast | Scalp or nails |
Doses above are from the current U.S. Drug Facts or prescribing labels listed in Sources. Always follow the label on the package you buy, because store brands and formulations differ.
How They Work
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm (tinea corporis) are skin infections caused mostly by dermatophyte fungi. Both drugs block the fungus from making ergosterol, a key part of its cell membrane, but at different steps. Terbinafine inhibits squalene epoxidase, an early step, which tends to kill dermatophytes (fungicidal). Clotrimazole inhibits a later enzyme and mainly stops fungal growth (fungistatic). That difference is one reason terbinafine labels allow shorter courses.
What the Evidence Shows
The Cochrane review by Crawford and Hollis (2007) analyzed 67 trials of topical treatments for fungal foot infections. Compared with placebo, both allylamines (risk ratio of treatment failure 0.33) and azoles (0.30) greatly reduced treatment failure. In 11 head-to-head trials, allylamines had a lower risk of treatment failure than azoles (RR 0.63). The authors concluded that allylamines cure slightly more infections than azoles. A 2012 systematic review by Rotta and colleagues found antifungals consistently superior to placebo and that allylamines kept infections cured for longer (sustained cure) than azoles.
How to Use Each
Lamisil AT cream, per its label
- Adults and children 12 and older. Wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely first.
- Athlete’s foot between the toes: twice a day for 1 week. On the bottom or sides of the foot: twice a day for 2 weeks.
- Jock itch and ringworm: once a day for 1 week.
- Wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes and change shoes and socks at least once daily. Wash hands after each use.
- Do not use on nails or scalp, in or near the mouth or eyes, or for vaginal yeast infections.
Clotrimazole 1% cream, per a store-brand label
- Wash and dry the area thoroughly; apply a thin layer twice daily, morning and night. Supervise children.
- Athlete’s foot and ringworm: use daily for 4 weeks. Jock itch: use daily for 2 weeks.
- For athlete’s foot, pay special attention to the spaces between the toes.
- Stop and ask a doctor if irritation occurs or there is no improvement within 4 weeks (athlete’s foot, ringworm) or 2 weeks (jock itch).
A Note on Brand Names
“Lotrimin” is used on several different products. Lotrimin cream contains clotrimazole, while some Lotrimin AF sprays and powders contain miconazole and Lotrimin Ultra contains butenafine. Check the active ingredient in the Drug Facts box rather than the brand name.
Safety
Both creams are for external use only and are generally well tolerated; irritation is the main label warning. Keep them out of the eyes. Neither treats fungal nail infections or scalp ringworm, which usually need prescription treatment. People with diabetes or poor circulation should have foot infections checked by a clinician.
Putting It Together: Common Situations
The scenarios below summarize what the labels and guidelines cited on this page say. They are general information, not a personal treatment plan. Your pharmacist can check the choice against your other medicines, and your clinician can tailor it to your health history.
- Want a shorter course: the Lamisil AT label allows 1 week between the toes and 1 week once daily for jock itch.
- Treating a child aged 2 to 11: the clotrimazole label allows supervised use from age 2; the Lamisil AT label says to ask a doctor under 12.
- Infection keeps coming back: the Rotta review found allylamines kept infections cured longer; also keep feet dry and change socks daily.
How to Read the Label Before You Buy
- Find the active ingredient first. Brand names are often reused across products with different ingredients. The active ingredient and its strength appear at the top of the Drug Facts or Supplement Facts panel.
- Check the “Uses” or labeled indication. A product is tested and labeled for specific uses. Using it for something else may not help.
- Read the “Do not use” and “Ask a doctor before use” sections. They list conditions and medicines where the product may be unsafe.
- Follow the directions for dose and duration. Note the maximum daily amount and how many days you can use it before checking with a clinician.
- Check for duplicate ingredients. Combination products can contain the same ingredient as something else you take, which raises the risk of taking too much.
- Note the “Stop use and ask a doctor” signs. These are the label’s own warning signs that a product is not working or is causing harm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stopping when the itch fades instead of finishing the labeled course.
- Using a foot cream on nails or scalp, where both labels say it will not work.
- Assuming two products with similar names are interchangeable. Compare the active ingredients and strengths instead of the packaging.
- Forgetting to tell your clinician. Keep a current list of every prescription, OTC medicine and supplement you take, and bring it to appointments and the pharmacy.
FormulaCompare does not recommend one brand over another. Use the sources below to check the details for the exact product in front of you, since formulas and labels can change.
Preventing Athlete’s Foot From Coming Back
Fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, damp places. Both labels include practical steps that also help prevent recurrence: wash and dry the skin thoroughly before each application, pay attention to the spaces between the toes, wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes, and change shoes and socks at least once a day. Many people also find it helps to dry feet completely after swimming or showering, wear sandals in shared showers and locker rooms, and avoid sharing towels or footwear. Treat jock itch and athlete’s foot at the same time if you have both, since the infection can spread from feet to groin.
Reading the Cochrane Numbers
A risk ratio of treatment failure of 0.33 means that, in placebo-controlled trials, people using an allylamine were about one-third as likely as placebo users to still have an infection at the end of follow-up. The head-to-head ratio of 0.63 favoring allylamines means terbinafine-type creams failed somewhat less often than azole creams, which is why the reviewers described the difference as slight. Both classes are effective choices.
When to Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist
See a clinician if a rash does not improve after the label’s treatment period, spreads, involves the nails or scalp, blisters or oozes, becomes painful, warm or red (possible bacterial infection), or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lamisil better than clotrimazole?
A Cochrane review found allylamines such as terbinafine cure slightly more athlete’s foot infections than azoles such as clotrimazole. Both work much better than placebo.
How long should I use Lamisil for athlete’s foot?
The label says twice daily for 1 week between the toes, or 2 weeks on the bottom or sides of the foot.
How long should I use clotrimazole?
The label says twice daily for 4 weeks for athlete’s foot and ringworm, or 2 weeks for jock itch.
Is Lotrimin the same as clotrimazole?
Lotrimin cream is clotrimazole, but some Lotrimin AF products contain miconazole and Lotrimin Ultra contains butenafine.
Can I use these creams on toenail fungus?
No. Both labels say they are not effective on nails.
Should I keep using cream after the rash clears?
Follow the label duration even if the skin looks better, to reduce the chance it returns.
Can I use these creams for jock itch?
Yes. Both labels include jock itch. Lamisil AT is applied once daily for 1 week; clotrimazole twice daily for 2 weeks.
Sources
- DailyMed: Lamisil AT (terbinafine HCl 1%) cream Drug Facts label (Karo Healthcare)
- DailyMed: up&up clotrimazole 1% cream Drug Facts label (Target)
- DailyMed: Lotrimin (clotrimazole 1%) cream Drug Facts label (Bayer)
- PubMed: Crawford and Hollis, topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails of the foot (Cochrane, 2007)
- PubMed: Rotta et al., efficacy of topical antifungal drugs in different dermatomycoses: systematic review with meta-analysis (2012)
- MedlinePlus: Athlete’s foot
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any supplement, medication, or treatment — particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medications, or have a diagnosed medical condition.