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Canesten is a medicine that can treat various fungal infections such as:
Canesten comes in different forms, such as an external cream, intravaginal cream and vaginal pessaries.
Canesten relieves the symptoms of itching and irritation caused by fungal infections by tackling the cause of these infections.
This is thanks to the active ingredient Clotrimazole. It works by causing holes to appear in the fungal cell membrane which allows the contents to leak out. This stops the fungi from growing and treats the infection.
How you use Canesten depends on what infection you are being treated for and which form you are prescribed.
A general guide for applying the different forms of Canesten is as follows:
Whilst thrush affects men and women slightly differently, the external clotrimazole cream is used in the same way for all genders.
To use Canesten antifungal cream for vaginal thrush, fungal balanitis or fungal skin infections:
* For fungal balanitis, treatment should be used for at least two weeks.
For other fungal infections, if your symptoms have not responded to initial treatment within 14 days, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
The Canesten intravaginal cream should only be used by women, as it’s inserted into the vagina. This directly targets the source of infection.
You will be provided with an applicator to ease the process of inserting the treatment. These work similarly to tampon applicators and are easy to use.
Here are some instructions on how to use it:
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You may notice a slight discharge after using the cream, so it may be helpful to wear a panty liner.
Your symptoms should disappear within three days of treatment. Make an appointment with your doctor if your condition has not improved after 7 days.
Canesten pessaries should only be used by women, and are designed to go into the vagina. Do not swallow this medicine.
The pessary is inserted just like the internal vaginal cream (as illustrated above). The only difference is that you place the tablet into the applicator before inserting it into the vagina. The moisture inside the vagina helps this medication dissolve.
Here are some instructions on how to use it:
100mg pessary: Two pessaries should be inserted daily (preferably at night) for three consecutive days. Alternatively, you can insert one pessary daily for six days in a row.
200mg pessary: One pessary should be inserted daily for three consecutive nights.
500mg pessary: One 500mg pessary should be inserted once at night.
The symptoms of thrush should disappear within three days of treatment. If no improvement is seen after seven days you must tell your doctor.
For vaginal thrush, you can use an internal treatment (Canesten thrush cream/pessaries) alongside an external cream.
Always read the label and the patient leaflet before starting treatment.
There are several different strengths of Canesten available. It is best to get advice from a doctor about which treatment is the most suitable for you.
Stronger products can only be bought with a doctor’s prescription. However, if you have had thrush before and are familiar with the symptoms, you can purchase lower strengths of Canesten at your local pharmacy.
Prescription-only | Available over-the-counter |
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10% vaginal cream | 100mg pessary |
500mg pessary | 200mg pessary |
If you aren’t certain if you have thrush, or you think it could be something else, consult a healthcare professional.
As with all medications, there is a chance that you might experience some side effects. In most cases, these will be mild and will go away by themselves once you stop using the treatment.
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Not everyone who uses the treatment will experience side effects. Research shows that less than 10% of patients experience symptoms such as a vaginal burning sensation.
If an allergic reaction occurs, you should stop using this product and seek emergency medical help. Signs of an allergic reaction include:
Speak to your doctor if you have any side effects that last after completing the treatment.
You should not use this medicine if you:
You should speak to a doctor before taking Canesten if you:
While treating thrush with internal Canesten products do not use any other vaginal products such as tampons, douches or spermicides.
Avoid vaginal intercourse when using this medicine and until you complete the course of treatment. This will reduce the risk of spreading the infection to your partner.
Canesten internal products:
Yes, you can use Canesten treatments that contain Clotrimazole during pregnancy. This includes the Canesten creams as well as the pessaries.
Always speak to a healthcare professional such as your doctor or midwife before taking any treatments while pregnant or breastfeeding.
You can buy Canesten online for thrush here at euroClinix. By ordering online, you will be prescribed a treatment best suited to your symptoms by one of our doctors.
Simply fill out the online consultation form before placing your order. Once approved, the right treatment will be sent straight to your door in discreet packaging with free next-day delivery.
Note: You must complete a short online consultation so that our doctor can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The above pricing should only be used as a reference. The final decision to issue this treatment lies with the prescribing doctor.
Product name | Canesten |
Active ingredient(s) | Clotrimazole |
Manufacturer | Bayer |
Trustpilot rating | - |
Trustpilot reviews | - |
Availability | Out of stock |
Description | Antifungal treatment |
Exemption | Available over-the-counter with stronger doses subject to prescription |
Administration | Topical |
Presentation | Cream or pessary |
Available dosage | Creams are available in 1%, 2% or 10% doses. Pessaries are available in 100mg, 200mg or 500mg doses. |
Application | Men and women aged between 16-60 |
Drug class | Antifungal |
Alcohol consumption | No known interaction |
When breastfeeding | Mostly suitable, consult a doctor before use |
When pregnant | Mostly suitable, consult a doctor before use |
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