Canesten Thrush External Cream (20g)

Product Summary

Canesten Thrush External Cream relieves irritation of the vulva (vulvitis) caused by vaginal thrush (candidiasis).

The active substance in Canesten Thrush External Cream is clotrimazole, which belongs to a group of medicines called azoles. It is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of infections like vaginal thrush.

Although this cream provides relief from the external irritation caused by vaginal thrush, it cannot treat any internal (vaginal) cause of the infection. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a treatment for this.

Only use this product if you have been previously diagnosed by your doctor as having vaginal thrush.

Some women suffer from recurrent attacks of thrush. To reduce the frequency of these attacks, the sexual partner’s penis can be treated with this cream to prevent re-infection, even if they have no symptoms of thrush.

Directions:

To treat itching and soreness of the vulva (vulvitis), the cream should be thinly and evenly applied to the area around the entrance of the vagina 2 or 3 times a day and smoothed in gently.

A product to treat the internal (vaginal) infection should be used at the same time.

Treatment should be continued until symptoms of the infection disappear.

Consult your doctor if the symptoms of your infection do not improve within seven days of finishing treatment for the internal infection.

Treating your sexual partner: If your sexual partner is treated with this product, the cream should be applied to the end of the penis 2 or 3 times a day for up to two weeks.

Ingredients

• The active substance is clotrimazole at a strength of 2% w/w.
• The other ingredients are benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, cetyl palmitate, cetostearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol and purified water.

(See Section 2 ‘Do not use’ and ‘Important information about some of the ingredients’ for cetostearyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol advice)

Warnings and Restrictions

Before using Canesten® External Thrush Cream, you should see your doctor if:

• you are unsure whether you have thrush, or if this is the first time you have had these symptoms
• you have had more than two thrush infections in the last six months
• you or your partner have ever had a sexually transmitted disease
• you are aged under 16 or over 60
• you have ever had an allergic reaction to Canesten or to any other vaginal antifungal products
• you have any of the following symptoms: irregular vaginal bleeding; abnormal vaginal bleeding or a blood stained discharge; ulcers, blisters or sores of the vagina or vulva; lower abdominal pain; pain or difficulty in passing urine; fever or chills; feeling sick or vomiting; diarrhoea; foul smelling discharge from the vagina.

If any of the above apply, it's important to see a doctor as Canesten Thrush External Cream may not be the right treatment for you.

Important information about some of the ingredients:

This product contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin irritation (e.g. rash, itching or redness).

Special precautions:

As with other creams, this product may reduce the effectiveness of rubber contraceptives, such as condoms or diaphragms.

Consequently, you should use alternative contraception for at least five days after using this product.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying for a baby, tell your doctor or midwife before using Canesten Thrush External Cream.

If you have informed your doctor or midwife already, follow his/her instructions carefully.

Do not use Canesten External Thrush Cream if:

You are allergic (hypersensitive) to clotrimazole or any of the other ingredients of Canesten Thrush External Cream, including cetostearyl alcohol. (See Section 6 of patient information leaflet for further information.)

This product is not suitable for patients under the age of 16 or over the age of 60 years without speaking to a doctor first.

Taking other medicines

This product is unlikely to interact with other medication. However, please speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you are using any other vaginal treatments.

Storage

• 10g Tube: Do not store above 25°C.
• 20g Tube: This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
• This product should be stored in the original carton.
• Do not use Canesten Antifungal Cream after the expiry date, which is stated at one end of the carton and on the end of the tube of cream. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
• Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer required.
• These measures will help to protect the environment.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.