Canesten Clotrimazole

Generic Name: Clotrimazole
Product Name: Canesten Clotrimazole

Indication

Canesten clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called azole antifungals.

The pessary is used to treat a fungal infection in the vagina and vulval area (thrush).

The cream works to relieve the symptoms of external irritation.

Action

Clotrimazole acts primarily on the cell membrane of the fungi, damaging the permeability barrier, thus stopping its growth.

Dose advice

There are many different treatment options available to patients when they require treatment for fungal infections. Choice between external cream, internal cream or a pessary or a combination pack which involves combined treatment with two of the previously mentioned treatment types. Each product has its own directions for use as follows:

Canesten Clotrimazole Topical Cream

Apply sparingly to the affected areas and rub in gently, two or three times daily.

Canesten pessary:

Pessaries should be inserted in evening at bedtime, preferably after a bath/shower. The correct method of insertion is as follows:

• Wash and dry hands thoroughly before inserting pessary.
• Read the insert inside the packet and familarise yourself with the diagrams.
• The pessary may be inserted using the applicator or you can push the pessary into the vagina using a clean finger. In late pregnancy, manual insertion or digital insertion may be preferred over the use of the applicator. Or you can use the applicator which ensures high insertion into the vagina.
• Holding the applicator pull the plunger out until it stops.
• With two fingers gently squeeze the hollow end of the applicator so it is slightly flat to help the pessary fit properly into the applicator.
• Remove one pessary from the packet and place into this flattened end.
• Lay on your back with your knees bent in a position you find you are most comfortable in.
• Insert the applicator with pessary inside as high as is comfortable into your vagina.
• Slowly push up the plunger as far as it will go to release the pessary from the applicator.
• Retract the applicator from your vagina and if you have a 6 pessary pack pull apart the plunger and applicator and wash in warm soapy water rinse and then thoroughly dry, if you have a single pessary pack discard applicator.

Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment 6 Day Pessary:

Consists of six 100mg 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.

Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment 1 Day Pessary:

The 500mg 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.

Canesten internal cream:

Internal cream should be inserted in evening at bedtime, preferably after a bath/shower. The correct method of insertion is as follows:

• Wash and dry hands thoroughly.
• Read the insert inside the packet and familarise yourself with the diagrams.
• Holding the applicator pull the plunger out until it stops.
• Open the tube of cream and screw the applicator onto the open cream.
• Squeeze the tube until the applicator is full then remove the tube and replace the lid.
• Lay on your back with your knees bent in a position you find you are most comfortable in.
• Insert the applicator with pessary inside as high as is comfortable into your vagina.
• Slowly push up the plunger as far as it will go to release the cream from the applicator.
• Retract the applicator from your vagina and discard the applicator.

Canesten Vaginal Cream 1% (Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment 6 Day Cream)

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.

Canesten 3 Vaginal Cream 2% (Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment 3 Day Cream)

This is a once daily treatment for 3 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 20 g tube of cream provides three applications.

Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment Once Cream (10%)

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.

Precautions:

You should seek medical advice under the following circumstances prior to initiation of treatment.

• The first occurrence of the problem
• More than 2 infections in the previous 6 months
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Under 18 years of age
• No improvement in symptoms after 4 days.

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.

Hygienic tips to avoid further infection:

You may find the following tips helpful for resolving thrush.

1. Instead of wiping from back to front after urinating, blot with toilet paper.
2. Change underwear, night attire, towels and linen daily.
3. Where possible, avoid perfumed toilet paper, fragrant soaps and bath oils, wearing tight or synthetic underwear, douches or vaginal deodorants.

Schedule

Gynaecological products (Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment 6 Day Pessary, Once Pessary, 6 Day Cream, 3 Day Cream, Once Cream 10%): Schedule 3

Topical products (Canesten Clotrimazole Cream 1%): Schedule 2

Common side effects

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.

Uncommon side effects

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.

• burning, stinging, redness
• blistering, peeling, swelling, itching

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook, Adelaide, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2008.
2. MIMS Online [online]. 2003 [cited 2008 March 21]. Available from: [URL Link]

For further information talk to your doctor.