Canesten Thrush Soft Gel Pessary and Cream
Product Summary
Canesten Thrush Combi Soft Gel Pessary and External Cream is a complete treatment for vaginal thrush, targeting both the internal cause and external symptoms.
Only use this product if your doctor has previously diagnosed you as having vaginal thrush.
The active substance in Canesten Thrush Combi is clotrimazole.
Clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called azoles. It is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of infections such as vaginal thrush.
Directions
Soft Gel Pessary
- The applicator should be used to insert the pessary as high as possible into the vagina, preferably before going to sleep at night, for convenient and comfortable treatment.
External Cream:
- Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and pressing it.
- To treat 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.
Treatment should be continued until the symptoms of the infection disappear. The symptoms of thrush should disappear within three days of treatment.
If no improvement is seen after seven days, tell your doctor.
If the infection returns after seven days, you may use one further treatment. If you have more than two infections within six months, see your doctor.
Ingredients
Soft gel pessary:
- Active ingredient: Clotrimazole 500mg.
- Also contains: White Soft Paraffin, Liquid Paraffin, Gelatin, Glycerol, Water, Titanium Dioxide (E171), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow (E110), Lecithin, Medium-Chain Triglycerides
External Cream
- Active ingredient: Clotrimazole 200mg (2% w/w).
- Also contains Benzyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetostearyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol and Purified Water (See enclosed leaflet for further information.)
Warnings and Restrictions
Before using Canesten Thrush Combi Soft Gel Pessary and External Cream, you should see your doctor if:
- you are unsure whether you have thrush, or if 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. If any of the above apply, this treatment may not be the right one for you.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying for a baby, tell your doctor or midwife before using this treatment.
If you have informed your doctor or midwife already, follow his/her instructions carefully.
To treat internal thrush, your doctor may recommend that you use the pessary without the help of an applicator.
Do not use Canesten Thrush Combi Soft Gel Pessary and External Cream:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clotrimazole or any of the other ingredients, including cetostearyl alcohol.
This product is not to be used to treat nail and scalp infections.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Inform your doctor if you are taking tacrolimus or sirolimus (used to reduce the immune response to prevent rejection after an organ transplant).
Pharmacist FAQs Answered
What is this treatment for, and how does it work?
Canesten Thrush Combi Soft Gel Pessary and External Cream is a combined treatment to treat the internal cause and external symptoms of vaginal thrush.
The soft gel pessary contains clotrimazole, an antifungal that prevents the growth of the yeast (most often Candida albicans) responsible for thrush. It's inserted in the vagina using an applicator and releases the medicine directly where it's needed.
The external cream also contains clotrimazole and is applied around the vagina entrance (vulva) to assist in ending symptoms like itching, redness, and burning. Together, these products eliminate thrush by treating the reason behind infection and soothing the distress it causes on the exterior.
When should I apply this product, and how often?
Apply this product only when a doctor previously diagnosed you with vaginal thrush, and you are now experiencing the same symptoms again. These symptoms can include a thick white vaginal discharge (typically resembling cottage cheese), itching or discomfort of the vulva and vagina, pain when urinating, or pain with sex. Soft gel pessary is a one-time therapy administered once at night so that it stays inside the vagina at night. The outside cream is to be applied 2 to 3 times a day on the affected area and continued until the signs have fully disappeared. Most individuals note that their signs become better within a couple of days, and most are better in three days.
What is the best way to use the pessary and cream?
To insert the pessary, wash your hands first and then put the soft gel capsule into the applicator tip. Insert it gently as high in the vagina as possible while sitting or lying with knees bent. It is preferable to do this before bedtime to allow the medication to take effect overnight.
Discard the applicator after it has been inserted, and rewash your hands. For the cream, break the seal on the tube by opening the cap, and then apply a thin layer to the affected area around the outside of the vagina and smooth it in. Don't use tampons or have sexual intercourse while using this treatment, and remember that the cream can thin condoms or diaphragms, so other contraception must be used for at least five days after treatment.
When should I see a doctor?
If your symptoms do not improve after seven days, you should speak to your doctor. It may not be thrush, or there could be another cause. If the infection clears up but comes back within seven days, you can have one more treatment.
However, if you’ve had more than two episodes of thrush in six months, it’s essential to get checked out by your GP, as this may suggest an underlying issue like uncontrolled diabetes or a weakened immune system. Also, inform your doctor if it's the first time with symptoms or when you have unexpected symptoms such as discharge with blood or odour, pain on urination, pain in the lower abdomen, ulcers or sores on the genitals.
Can I use this product if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
You should check with your doctor or midwife first if you are pregnant, wish to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Canesten products are safe during pregnancy, but your doctor can advise you to use the pessary only without the applicator to avoid undue pressure inside the vagina. Don't start treatment without your doctor if you are pregnant, even if you have had thrush before.
Can it be used with other drugs?
Clotrimazole won't likely interact with other medications, but let your pharmacist or physician know everything you take, such as over-the-counter medications and supplements. Particularly, mention this to your doctor if you take tacrolimus or sirolimus, immunosuppressant medicines usually prescribed after an organ transplant. You should not use other vaginal preparations at the same time unless your healthcare provider says it's okay.
What else should I know before I use it?
This product is inserted inside the vagina and around the area only – do not swallow or apply it anywhere else on the body. Do not use it during a period, as the pessary will not be so effective, and do not use it to cure infections of nails or scalp, as it's not suitable for these. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to clotrimazole or any of the other ingredients, including cetostearyl alcohol, which can cause skin irritation in some people, then this treatment is not suitable for you