Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EXSEL versus LOTRIMIN AF.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EXSEL versus LOTRIMIN AF.
EXSEL vs LOTRIMIN AF
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Exsel (selenium sulfide) is an antifungal agent that reduces the production of cutaneous oils and exerts cytostatic effects on epidermal cells. It inhibits the growth of Pityrosporum ovale and other fungi by interfering with oxidative enzyme systems, leading to decreased sebum production and normalization of epidermal turnover.
Inhibits fungal cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis and disrupting fungal cell membrane integrity.
1-2 mg orally once daily; maximum dose 2 mg/day.
Topical: Apply twice daily (morning and evening) to affected area for 2-4 weeks. Intravaginal: One 200 mg suppository vaginally at bedtime for 3 days, or one 500 mg vaginal tablet as a single dose.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal half-life: 12-18 hours (mean 15 h); requires dose adjustment in renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min).
Terminal elimination half-life of absorbed clotrimazole is approximately 3.5–4 hours, but this is clinically irrelevant due to negligible systemic absorption after topical application.
Renal: ~70% unchanged; biliary/fecal: ~30% as metabolites.
Less than 1% of topical clotrimazole is absorbed; absorbed drug is metabolized in the liver to inactive metabolites and excreted primarily in feces (approximately 69%) and urine (approximately 21%) via biliary and renal routes.
Category C
Category C
Topical Antifungal
Topical Antifungal