Patient leaflet - Canesten Thrush External cream 2% w/w cream
1. WHAT IS CANESTEN® THRUSH EXTERNAL
CREAM AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
Canesten Thrush External Cream relieves irritation of the vulva (vulvitis) which is caused by vaginal thrush (candidiasis).
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.
The active substance in Canesten Thrush External Cream is clotrimazole. Clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called azoles and is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of infections such as vaginal thrush.
2. BEFORE YOU USE CANESTEN® THRUSH EXTERNAL CREAM
Do not use Canesten® External Thrush Cream:
If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clotrimazole or any of the other
ingredients, including cetostearyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol, of Canesten Thrush External Cream (see Section 6. Further Information).
Before using Canesten® External Thrush Cream, you should see your doctor if:
You are unsure whether you have thrush or this is the first time you have
had these symptoms.
You have had more than two infections of thrush 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 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.
- A foul smelling discharge from the vagina.
This is because 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 reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis). The medicine also contains 20mg benzyl alcohol in each gram of cream. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation.
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 precautions for at least five days after using this product.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Canesten Thrush External Cream can be used in 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.
3. HOW TO USE CANESTEN® THRUSH EXTERNAL CREAM
Women:
If Canesten Thrush External Cream has been prescribed for you by your doctor, follow any instructions he/she may have given you. If you purchased this product without a prescription, follow these directions closely:
- Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
- To treat the 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 infections 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 cream, the cream should be applied to the end of the penis 2 or 3 times a day for up to two weeks. Canesten
Canesten® Thrush External Cream is for external use only:
Do not put the cream in your mouth or swallow it.
If the cream is swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Canesten Thrush External Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the cream. If you are allergic, a reaction will occur soon after you have used the medicine. If you experience an allergic reaction or the redness, burning, pain, itching or swelling get worse, stop using this product and tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital. Signs of an allergic reaction may include:
- Rash.
- Swallowing or breathing problems.
- Swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
- Weakness, feeling dizzy or faint.
- Nausea.
After you apply the cream you might experience:
Itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, swelling, redness, irritation, pins
and needles, or peeling of skin.
If you experience any of the above effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE CANESTEN® THRUSH EXTERNAL CREAM
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
10g Tube: Do not store above 25°C.
20g Tube: This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not use Canesten Thrush External 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 no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Canesten® Thrush External Cream contains:
- 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.
What Canesten® Thrush External Cream looks like and contents of the pack:
Canesten Thrush External Cream is available in tubes containing 10g or 20g of white cream. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Bayer plc, 400 South Oak Way, Reading, RG2 6AD.
Manufacturer:
GP Grenzach Produktions GmbH, 79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany.
Remember: If you have any doubts about using Canesten® Thrush External Cream correctly, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Further information about vaginal thrush:
Vaginal thrush (candidiasis) is a common infection that most women suffer from at some time in their lives and is not caused by lack of personal hygiene.
Thrush is caused by a yeast (fungus) called Candida which lives harmlessly in the vagina and other parts of the body, without you even noticing it. However, the natural balance that keeps Candida under control can be upset by many factors such as hormonal changes (menstruation, contraceptive pill, pregnancy, menopause), poor health, antibiotics, perfumed soaps, bath additives and tight clothing.
If the natural pH balance is altered, the level of yeast increases and can develop into a thrush infection causing any of the following symptoms: persistent burning and/or itching around the vagina and vulva, redness, swelling and soreness of the tissues of the vagina and vulva and a whitish, odourless discharge from the vagina. Not everybody who has thrush has all these symptoms; you may have only one of them.
How to avoid future recurrences:
- Wear cotton knickers and loose clothing.
- Wash daily.
- After going to the toilet, wipe yourself from the front to back as a thrush infection may be transferred from the bowel.
- Change your sanitary protection regularly.
✗ Try to avoid wearing tights, nylon knickers and close fitting jeans. ✗ Try to avoid washing with perfumed soaps or using vaginal deodorants. ✗ Do not wash or rub yourself hard with sponges or flannels and avoid hot baths with strong perfumed oils.
If you are still worried or have any questions about the symptoms or the treatment of thrush, do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
For UK residents only: if you have any questions or would like more information, call our Canesten Advice Line on 0845 758 5030. Calls charged at local rate.
This leaflet was revised in February 2021
Canesten is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, Germany.
AW.CSA/MUP-41316-01