The active ingredient clotrimazole was first synthesised at Bayer AG's research laboratories in 1967. Clotrimazole is a modern broad spectrum antifungal belonging to the class of imidazol derivatives, which inhibits ergosterol synthesis, an essential component of fungal cell membranes. In contrast to other active ingredients, clotrimazole is equally effective with all relevant fungi able to trigger a skin infection in humans. Among these there are dermatophytes, yeast, and moulds. Clotrimazole is highly effective, because it penetrates the skin in a sufficiently high concentration. Clotrimazole thus has qualities that guarantee certain treatment success.