Canesten 2% Thrush Cream 20g

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

Directions:

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.

Warnings:

Do not use Canesten® External Thrush Cream:

If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clotrimazole or any of the other ingredients, including cetostearyl alcohol, of Canesten Thrush External Cream

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.

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 breast-feeding: If you are pregnant, breast-feeding 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.

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.

 Keep all medicines out the sight and reach of children.

Always consult the Patient Information Leaflet before using this medicine.