Clotrimazole damages the permeability of the fungal cell membrane| preventing the cell from constructing an intact and functional membrane. Clotrimazole inhibits the demethylation of 14 alpha lanosterol| which prevents the synthesis of ergosterol. Ergosterol promotes fungal growth| so inhibiting its synthesis stops the growth of the fungus. Clotrimazole can also impair membrane phospholipid synthesis| accelerate intracellular ion efflux| and cause a breakdown of cellular nucleic acids| which stops cell division and growth