Candid Cream 50g

Candid Cream is Glenmark's clotrimazole 1% w/w antifungal skin cream from India, sold there in a 50 g tube (PharmEasy, Truemeds and Apollo Pharmacy listings). It is used for fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm. We sell the 50 g tube in packs of 3, 6 and 12 tubes, from $9.00 a tube ($0.18 a gram) in the 12 pack before shipping.

Two points before you buy. First, clotrimazole 1% cream is an ordinary pharmacy product in the countries we ship to: it is sold without a prescription in the US, the UK, Australia and Canada, and a pharmacy can usually sell you a tube the same day. In the US, pharmacies pay about $1 to $4 for a tube of over the counter clotrimazole cream (NADAC, below; our arithmetic). This Indian pack is not registered with the FDA, MHRA, TGA or Health Canada, and it takes 7 to 14 business days to reach you. For one infection, a local pharmacy tube is cheaper and faster (our view; prices below). Second, our smallest pack holds 150 g of cream, which is several times what one usual course needs for a small patch of skin (our estimate, explained below).

Candid Cream 50g at a glance

Price per tube

Prices below are as of October 2026; the pack selector shows the current price.

Every pack is under the $149 free shipping threshold, so each order of one pack pays $25 shipping. The 6 and 12 packs are cheaper per tube before shipping too. With shipping, the cream costs $0.39 a gram in the 3 pack and $0.22 a gram in the 12 pack (our arithmetic).

How much cream you need, and what our packs mean

The labels give the amount by area, not in grams. The UK label says "A strip of cream (½ cm long) is enough to treat an area of about the size of the hand." A fingertip unit, a line of cream from the tip of an adult index finger to the first crease, is about 0.5 g and covers the front and back of one adult hand (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS guidance), so a ½ cm strip is roughly 0.1 g (our estimate). On the UK label's measure, a patch the size of two hands takes about 0.2 g each time. Twice daily (US label) that is about 0.4 g a day, so a 2 week course for jock itch uses about 6 g and a 4 week course for athlete's foot or ringworm about 11 g; three times daily (the UK label's upper frequency) for 4 weeks is about 17 g. Even if you use a full fingertip unit each time, a 4 week course for that patch is about 28 g (our arithmetic, not label figures). On these estimates:

• One 50 g tube covers a full 4 week course for a patch up to about two hands in size, with cream left over.
• Our smallest pack (3 tubes, 150 g) holds about 9 to 13 such 4 week courses on the UK label's measure, or about five if you use a fingertip unit each time. Treating both feet, or a large area of the groin and thighs, uses more, but most people with one infection will not need three tubes.
• We also list Candid Cream in 30 g tubes; its 3 pack (90 g) costs $20.00, or $45.00 with shipping (as of October 2026), which suits one infection better than this page's 150 g pack.
• The 6 and 12 tube packs make sense only if several people in a household are being treated or you treat large areas. A fungal rash that keeps coming back needs a doctor, not a stock of cream (see below).

Check the expiry date on each tube when it arrives. The UK label gives Canesten Cream a shelf life of 36 months; the Indian listings we checked on 30 October 2026 showed expiry dates from February 2027 (Truemeds) to September 2028 (PharmEasy), so dates vary by batch.

Compared with clotrimazole cream sold in the US

NADAC is the average price US pharmacies pay to buy a product, not the shelf price. The figures below are per gram from the NADAC file as of 28 October 2026, with rows effective 21 October 2026; the per tube amounts are our arithmetic from the tube size of each NDC.

Said plainly: per gram before shipping, ours costs about 4 to 5 times the cheapest US row, and a US pharmacy pays about $2.13 for a 45 g over the counter tube, against $59.00 for our smallest pack with shipping. All the US clotrimazole 1% topical cream rows in this NADAC file run from $0.04734 to $0.20978 per gram (effective 21 October 2026), with one older row at $0.34307 (effective 22 April 2026). Glenmark's own US company sells a prescription clotrimazole cream USP 1% in 15, 30 and 45 g tubes. If you are in the US, UK, Australia or Canada and need one tube, buy it locally. Our packs only make sense for buyers who want a larger stock of the Indian Candid brand and accept the wait.

Which Candid product is which

Glenmark uses the Candid name for several clotrimazole products. They are not interchangeable:

In India, Glenmark also sells products called Candid Gold cream and Candid Multi-Benefit Skin Cream (Truemeds, Tata 1mg); we do not sell them and have not confirmed that their formulas match Candid Cream. When your order arrives, check that the tube says Candid and clotrimazole 1% w/w.

Why a plain antifungal and not a steroid mix. India's dermatologists' task force on ringworm (IADVL, 2020) says "Antifungal preparation alone without any corticosteroid or antibacterial component should be used" and that "Topical corticosteroids should never be used for tinea corporis, tinea cruris or tinea faciei" (Rengasamy 2020). A plain clotrimazole cream such as Candid fits that advice; Candid B does not. Other plain antifungal creams we list are Clocip Cream (Cipla, clotrimazole), Lulifin 10g Cream (luliconazole) and Ebernet Cream (eberconazole).

How to use Candid Cream

1. Wash the affected skin and dry it well. For athlete's foot, pay special attention to the spaces between the toes (US label; UK label).
2. Apply a thin layer over the affected area and the skin around it. The US over the counter label says twice daily (morning and night); the UK label says 2 to 3 times daily, rubbed in gently. The Indian listings differ: Truemeds says twice daily, PharmEasy two or three times a day, and Apollo Pharmacy 1 to 2 times daily. Follow the leaflet in your carton.
3. Keep going for the full course, even when the rash looks better. US label: athlete's foot and ringworm, daily for 4 weeks; jock itch, daily for 2 weeks. UK label: at least one month for ringworm type infections and at least two weeks for yeast infections. The UK patient leaflet says "Generally a minimum of two weeks is required, although up to four weeks may be necessary."
4. Wash your hands after use (UK patient leaflet), unless your hands are the area being treated (Apollo Pharmacy, PharmEasy). Do not share towels, and wash socks thoroughly (UK patient leaflet); for athlete's foot, wear well fitting, ventilated shoes and change shoes and socks at least once daily (US label).
5. Do not cover the treated skin with airtight wrappings or dressings (US prescription label, information for patients).
6. Keep it out of the eyes and mouth. If cream gets in your eyes or mouth, wash with water and contact your doctor (UK patient leaflet). Clotrimazole cream is "not for ophthalmic use" (US prescription label).
7. Supervise children using it. The US label says do not use on children under 2 years of age unless directed by a doctor.
8. If you miss an application, apply it as soon as possible and carry on as usual (UK patient leaflet).

When to stop and see a doctor. The US label says stop use and ask a doctor if irritation occurs or there is no improvement within 4 weeks (athlete's foot or ringworm) or within 2 weeks (jock itch). The US prescription label says clinical improvement, with relief of itching, "usually occurs within the first week", and that the diagnosis should be reviewed if there is no improvement after four weeks. The UK leaflet says itching or soreness should improve within a few days, while redness and scaling may take longer.

Not for use inside the vagina

Candid Cream is a skin cream. Apollo Pharmacy's listing says not to apply it inside the vagina unless your doctor has specifically told you to, Truemeds says to avoid contact with the vagina, and PharmEasy's 30 g listing says there are specific clotrimazole products designed for vaginal use. One PharmEasy listing (50 g) says the cream treats yeast infections of the vagina; we read that as copied text and do not follow it. The UK Canesten Cream label does allow a skin cream on the outside: it relieves irritation of the vulva (external thrush) or the end of the penis linked to thrush. For thrush inside the vagina, see Candid V Gel and Canesten V6, and read their pages on when self-treatment is not right. Itching, sores or discharge in the genital area can also come from sexually transmitted infections, which clotrimazole does not treat; see a doctor if you are not sure what it is (our advice).

Clotrimazole cream may damage latex condoms and diaphragms. The UK patient leaflet says that if you use it on the vulva or penis, use other precautions for at least five days after using it.

See a doctor first if

• The rash is on your scalp, or your nails are thick or discoloured. The labels say clotrimazole cream is not for nail or scalp infections, and the NHS says scalp ringworm usually needs prescription antifungal tablets and shampoo.
• You have a weakened immune system, for example from chemotherapy, steroids or diabetes (NHS ringworm page).
• You are not sure it is a fungal infection. The UK patient leaflet says to ask a doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. Eczema, psoriasis and bacterial infections can look similar (our note).
• The rash is on a baby. The UK label covers yeast (candidal) nappy rash, but the US label says not to use it under 2 years of age unless directed by a doctor; have a doctor look at a baby's rash first (our advice).
• The rash keeps coming back after a full course, or is spreading (our advice), or has not improved after an antifungal recommended by a pharmacist (NHS: see a GP).

Side effects

The UK label lists these reactions from reports after marketing, and says that "assigning an accurate frequency of occurrence for each is not possible":

The US prescription label lists redness, stinging, blistering, peeling, swelling, itching, hives, burning and general irritation of the skin. Very little clotrimazole reaches the blood from the skin: the UK label says peak blood levels were below the detection limit of 0.001 mcg/mL (5.2). The Indian cream contains benzyl alcohol, methylparaben and propylparaben (Apollo Pharmacy; PharmEasy 30 g listing); the UK label says benzyl alcohol "may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation". If you have reacted to parabens before, check the carton before use (our advice).

When to get urgent help

• Signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue, trouble breathing or swallowing, rash, weakness, feeling dizzy or faint, or nausea. The UK patient leaflet says to stop using the cream and tell your doctor straight away or go to the nearest emergency department. For breathing or swallowing problems, call emergency services (911 in the US and Canada, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia; our advice).
• Someone has swallowed the cream. The US label says "If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away" (US 1-800-222-1222; Australia 13 11 26; numbers added by us). The UK patient leaflet says tell your doctor straight away or go to the nearest emergency department.
• Treated skin becomes redder, itchier, blistered, swollen or oozing: stop using it. The US prescription label says these can be signs of sensitisation to the cream. See a doctor if it does not settle (our advice).
• A rash that becomes hot, painful, swollen or full of pus, or comes with fever: see a doctor the same day, because it may be a bacterial infection (our advice).

Who should not use it

Do not use it if you are allergic to clotrimazole or any ingredient of the cream (UK label 4.3; US prescription label: contraindicated "in individuals sensitive to its components"), on nail or scalp infections (UK label 4.3), or in the eyes.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The UK label says clotrimazole "can be used during pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a physician or midwife" (4.6) and "may be used during lactation"; if used on the nipple area, wash the breasts before feeding. The US prescription label says that in the first trimester it "should be used only if clearly indicated". Also ask first if you have had a reaction to another antifungal cream (Apollo Pharmacy), a weakened immune system or diabetes (NHS), or if the rash is on a child under 2 (US label).

Fire risk. The UK label says not to smoke or go near naked flames, because fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings) that has been in contact with the cream "burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard", and washing may not remove it all (4.4).

Prescription and legal status

Clotrimazole 1% cream does not need a prescription for skin use in the countries we ship to:

• US: clotrimazole 1% is an approved active ingredient in the FDA's over the counter rules for antifungal products (21 CFR 333.210), labelled for athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm (for example Lotrimin AF cream). Clotrimazole cream 1% labelled for skin candidiasis and tinea versicolor is a prescription product (for example Glenmark USA's generic).
• UK: Canesten Cream (clotrimazole 1%) is sold without a prescription; its leaflet says "This medicine is available without prescription."
• Australia: the Poisons Standard (October 2026) lists clotrimazole in skin preparations as Schedule 2, Pharmacy Medicine, except preparations for athlete's foot (tinea pedis), which are excluded from the Schedule 2 and Schedule 4 entries and so, on our reading, are unscheduled.
• Canada: Health Canada's Drug Product Database lists clotrimazole 1% skin products, such as Canesten 1% Topical Cream (DIN 02150867) and Taro's Clotrimaderm Topical (DIN 00812382), as marketed non-prescription drugs.
• India: the pharmacy listings we checked sell Candid Cream without a prescription.

This Indian Candid pack is not registered with the FDA, the MHRA, the TGA or Health Canada. In the US, the FDA says personal importation of unapproved medicines is illegal in most circumstances. Check the rules where you live.

Buying genuine Candid Cream

The MHRA warns: "Any medicine not authorised for sale in the UK can be unsafe or ineffective and there is no way of knowing what is in them or the negative health effects they can have." It advises UK buyers: "Only use UK-registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies displaying the official green cross logo". That warning covers this Indian pack, which is not authorised in the UK. When your order arrives, check that the carton and tube say Candid, clotrimazole 1% w/w and Glenmark, that the tube is 50 g and sealed, and that it shows a batch number and an expiry date. These checks cannot prove a tube is genuine, because counterfeiters copy packaging. If a tube causes unusual symptoms, stop using it, seek medical advice, and report it to your medicines regulator (the MHRA Yellow Card scheme in the UK, FDA MedWatch in the US, the TGA in Australia or Health Canada) as well as to us. Store it below 25 °C (Truemeds; Apollo Pharmacy says 15 to 30 °C).

Delivery

We ship Candid Cream to the US, UK, Australia and Canada in plain packaging with tracking. Standard delivery takes 7 to 14 business days. Shipping costs a flat $25 on orders under $149 and is free from $149. A fungal infection you have now is better treated with a tube from a local pharmacy today than with one that arrives in two weeks (our advice). See our shipping page and refund policy.

Related products and guides

• Candid B Cream: our page on Glenmark's clotrimazole and steroid cream, and why dermatologists advise against steroid mixes for ringworm.
• Candid V Gel and Canesten V6: clotrimazole for vaginal thrush.
• Is it safe to buy medicine online?

Sources

• Indian listings for Candid Cream 50 g (composition, maker, tube sizes, price, prescription status, storage, directions, ingredients): PharmEasy (50 g and 30 g pages), Truemeds (50 g), Apollo Pharmacy (50 g) and Tata 1mg (50 g OTC page), checked 30 October 2026.
• Lotrimin AF clotrimazole cream 1%, US Drug Facts, Bayer HealthCare LLC, DailyMed setid da948ef3-3709-4bfc-9d17-f6f1ea325343, version 12, effective 4 December 2025.
• US Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR part 333 subpart C, topical antifungal drug products for over the counter human use, sections 333.210 and 333.250 (eCFR, current as of October 2026).
• Clotrimazole Cream USP, 1% US prescribing information, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA (ANDA090219), DailyMed setid f6898117-14f3-42d2-bc0e-d296add3ad70, version 8 (text dated May 2025).
• Rugby Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream, US Drug Facts, DailyMed setid a1365bc7-b376-adca-e053-2a95a90acf19; openFDA NDC directory for package sizes (NDCs 0536-1265, 45802-434, 51672-2002, 68462-181), checked 30 October 2026.
• Canesten Cream (clotrimazole 1% w/w) SmPC, sections 4.1 to 4.9, 5.2 and 6.3 to 6.5, and patient information leaflet. Bayer plc, PL 00010/0016R, text revised 7 June 2022. emc
• Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard October 2026) Instrument 2026, F2026L01327, clotrimazole entries in Schedules 2, 3 and 4.
• Health Canada Drug Product Database, clotrimazole topical products and schedules, searched 30 October 2026. Health Canada
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), clotrimazole 1% topical cream, per NDC, as of 28 October 2026 (rows effective 21 October 2026; one row effective 22 April 2026). data.medicaid.gov
• Rengasamy M, et al. IADVL Task Force against Recalcitrant Tinea (ITART) consensus on the management of glabrous tinea (INTACT). Indian Dermatol Online J 2020;11(4):502 to 519. PMID 32832435.
• NHS. Ringworm, page last reviewed 3 August 2023. Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, topical steroids (fingertip units); Long CC, Finlay AY. The finger-tip unit. Clin Exp Dermatol 1991. PMID 1806320.
• MHRA. 20 million illegal erectile dysfunction pills seized as MHRA warns against risky online buys, 13 February 2026. GOV.UK
• US Food and Drug Administration. Personal Importation. FDA

This page is for information and is not medical advice. If you are not sure the rash is fungal, it is on your scalp, nails or a baby, or it keeps coming back, see a doctor or pharmacist first.