Canesten 1% Cream

Clotrimazole is an antifungal medicine that kills the fungi (yeasts) that cause many common infections.

It is used to treat:

• vaginal thrush and thrush of the penis
• athlete's foot and ringworm
• fungal nappy rash and sweat rash in skin folds
• some fungal ear and skin infections

It comes as skin cream, vaginal cream, pessaries, solution (drops) and spray.

Use it exactly as your doctor, pharmacist or the leaflet tells you.

• Skin cream: wash your hands, spread a thin layer and rub in gently.
• Pessaries and vaginal cream are usually used at bedtime. Do not swallow pessaries, and avoid tampons and vaginal sex until treatment ends.
• Keep using skin products for some time after the infection seems to clear, as advised, to stop it coming back.
• If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
• See a doctor if thrush is not better after 7 days.

Common side effects include:

• redness, itching, burning, stinging or irritation where it is used
• with vaginal products: discomfort, swelling, lower tummy pain, discharge or light bleeding

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
• difficulty breathing
• a widespread rash, blistering or peeling skin

For thrush, check with a pharmacist or doctor first if you:

• are 15 or under, or over 60
• have had thrush more than twice in 6 months
• or your partner have ever had a sexually transmitted infection
• have unusual or bloody discharge, sores, ulcers or blisters on the genitals
• have thrush of the penis but your partner does not
• take tacrolimus (if using vaginal products)

For athlete's foot or ringworm, it is suitable for most adults and children.

Keep it in its original, tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Condoms and diaphragms: clotrimazole cream and pessaries can damage latex, so these may not protect you during treatment and for at least 5 days afterwards.

Do not swallow and keep it out of your eyes and mouth. Keep cream and spray away from naked flames.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: usually suitable, but check with a pharmacist or doctor first. If you apply it to the breasts, wash it off before feeding.