Clotrimazole in pregnancy

Clotrimazole is antifungal drug.
Used to treat fungal infection like tenia over skin, candidiasis in mouth, vagina etc.
Trade names are Clotri -denk, lotrisone etc .

It is very poorly absorbed when used topically or vaginally.
Clotrimazole belongs to category B drug when used vaginally or topically.
Means animal studies didn't show teratogenic effect but human studies are lacking.

But when used orally, it comes under category C drug.
Means animal studies have shown some adverse effects on fetus but sufficient human studies are lacking.
In studies on rats oral usage of high dose of drug led to embryo toxicity.
In general its effect on fetus will be less in later weeks of pregnancy.
But there are no sufficient studies showing effect in early pregnancy.

So, better to be cautious when using the drug orally in early weeks of pregnancy.
And should be used only with doctor's advice and when benefits overweigh the risks.