Canesten how does it work

Side effects will usually go away when you stop using the pessaries or internal cream. In rare cases, clotrimazole can cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. These are warning signs of a serious allergic reaction. A serious allergic reaction is an emergency. These are not all the side effects of clotrimazole.

For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. Clotrimazole pessaries and internal and external cream are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Clotrimazole cream is generally considered safe to use while you're breastfeeding.

If you are using clotrimazole on your breasts, wash off any cream from your breasts before feeding your baby. Then wash your hands before you touch your nipple to your baby's mouth. If your baby is being treated for oral thrush, you can carry on breastfeeding, but you'll need to be treated at the same time.

Apply clotrimazole cream on and around your nipples after each time you breastfeed. Tell a pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.

There are no known problems with using clotrimazole creams and taking other medicines. However, tell a doctor before using clotrimazole pessaries if you are taking any of the following medicines:. For safety, tell a pharmacist or doctor if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. Clotrimazole works by killing the fungus yeast that is causing the infection. Clotrimazole kills fungus by causing holes to appear in its cell membrane and the contents leak out.

This kills the fungus and treats the infection. External symptoms such as itching and discharge should get better within 3 days. Talk to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better or get worse. If internal symptoms such as pain or soreness do not go away within 7 days, talk to a doctor.

Talk to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 7 days. You may need a longer course of treatment or a stronger medicine. If your vaginal thrush improves within 7 days but then comes back after 7 days, you can use another pessary or internal cream.

Do not use clotrimazole for more than 7 days, unless a doctor tells you to. The fungal infection may become resistant to clotrimazole which means it will no longer work properly. There are other antifungal medicines available that are similar to clotrimazole, including:. These are available as creams and pessaries for the treatment of thrush.

You will need a prescription from a doctor for these medicines. There is an antifungal medicine called fluconazole which is available as a capsule to be taken by mouth. It can be bought from a pharmacy for treating thrush of the vagina or penis.

Clotrimazole cream can damage the latex used in condoms and diaphragms. This can mean your contraception will not work as well as it should. There is no firm evidence that clotrimazole will affect fertility in men or women. No, thrush is not an STI, but it can sometimes be passed on by having sex. Clotrimazole cream can damage the latex used in contraceptives such as condoms and diaphragms. These steps can help stop thrush from coming back after you've treated it:.

Page last reviewed: 9 October Next review due: 9 October Clotrimazole for thrush Canesten On this page About clotrimazole for thrush Key facts Who can and cannot use clotrimazole How and when to use external cream How and when to use internal cream and pessaries Side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About clotrimazole for thrush Clotrimazole is an antifungal medicine. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Clotrimazole works by killing the yeast that causes the fungal infection. It usually treats thrush within 7 days but it's best to treat the infection for at least 2 weeks to stop it coming back.

The most common side effect is an itching or burning feeling in the area being treated. Clotrimazole is also known by the brand name Canesten, including Canesten pessaries and cream. However, not all Canesten products contain clotrimazole, and some contain clotrimazole combined with another medicine. Clotrimazole creams can be used by most adults and children. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, use it as directed.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet available with this product. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. This product is for vaginal use only. Wash your hands before and after use. Avoid contact of this product with your eyes. If it gets into your eyes, wash them right away with plenty of water. Call your doctor if eye irritation persists. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use the medication usually once daily at bedtime for 1 to 7 nights depending on the product used, or as directed by your doctor.

Lie on your back with your knees toward your chest. Insert one applicator filled with cream into the vagina as far as it will comfortably go. Slowly press the plunger of the applicator in to apply the cream. Make sure to insert the correct cream for use inside the vagina, not the skin cream for use on the outer genital area vulva. If using the vaginal tablet, you may use either the applicator or your finger to insert the tablet. Unwrap the tablet before use.

Follow the package instructions on how to fill the applicator with the vaginal tablet. Insert the tablet or the applicator into the vagina as far as it will comfortably go. Slowly press the plunger of the applicator to release the tablet. If you are using a product with only the vaginal cream, you may apply a small amount of the vaginal cream to the area.

Continue to use this medication every day for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days or if your menstrual period starts. Stopping the medication too soon may allow the yeast infection to return.

Do not use tampons, douches, spermicides or other vaginal products while using this medication. Unscented sanitary napkins may be used for your menstrual period or to protect your clothing from leakage of the medication.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve after 3 days or lasts more than 7 days. Tell your doctor if your infection returns within 2 months. You may need a different or additional medication to treat your condition.

If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungal agents such as terconazole, fluconazole ; or if you have any other allergies.

This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Each product has its own directions for use as follows:. The correct method of insertion is as follows:. Consists of six mg pessaries.

It may be used either as 2 pessaries, inserted one after the other, daily for three days, or as 1 pessary daily for six days. The mg single dose Canesten pessary provides therapy for 3 to 4 days as it creates high intravaginal concentrations of clotrimazole. However, the symptoms may persist for these 3 to 4 days. This is a once daily treatment for six consecutive days.

You should lie on your back and insert one applicatorful approximately 5g of the cream as deeply as possible into the vagina at bedtime. A 35 g tube of cream should be sufficient for 6 applications.

This is a once daily treatment for 3 days. A 20 g tube of cream provides three applications. The entire tube of Canesten cream approximately 5g should fill the disposable applicator provided. Lie on your back and insert the applicator as gently and deeply as possible into the vagina at bedtime as a single dose of treatment. You should seek medical advice under the following circumstances prior to initiation of treatment. It is suggested that Canesten treatment be timed so as to avoid the menstrual period and to be completed before the onset of menstruation.

If the treatment does coincide with a menstrual period, use sanitary pads not tampons during therapy. It is also vital that you are aware of the effect of cream on latex products during thrush treatment.

Canesten thrush treatment may reduce the effectiveness and safety of latex products such as condoms and diaphragms.

However, this effect is temporary and occurs only during treatment. Do not rely on these methods while using this cream. Topical Canesten thrush treatment is generally well tolerated. This medicine helps most people with thrush but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. Tell your doctor if you experience discomfort while you are using this treatment.

All medicines can have side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following symptoms. Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects as they are generally mild signs of an allergic reaction and you may not experience any of them.