Canesten Thrush External Cream 2% w/w cream

This medicine is available without prescription. However, you still need to use Canesten Thrush External Cream carefully to get the best results from it.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• You must contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve in 7 days.
• If you have any unusual effects after using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

1. What is Canesten Thrush External Cream and what is it used for?
2. Before you use Canesten Thrush External Cream
3. How to use Canesten Thrush External Cream
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Canesten Thrush External Cream
6. Further information

• 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).

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

Canesten Thrush External Cream is available in tubes containing 10g or 20g of white cream. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Remember: If you have any doubts about using Canesten^® Thrush External Cream correctly, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

• 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.