What is Canesten Thrush External Cream

Canesten Thrush External Cream relieves irritation of the vulva (vulvitis) which is caused by vaginal thrush (candidiasis).

Although this cream provides relief from the external irritation caused by vaginal thrush, it cannot treat any internal (vaginal) cause of the infection. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a treatment for this.

Only use this product if you have been previously diagnosed by your doctor as having vaginal thrush.

Some women suffer from recurrent attacks of thrush. To reduce the frequency of these attacks, the sexual partner’s penis can be treated with this cream to prevent re-infection, even if they have no symptoms of thrush.

The active substance in Canesten Thrush External Cream is clotrimazole. Clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called azoles and is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of infections such as vaginal thrush.

Information about vaginal thrush

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.

How to avoid future recurrences of thrush

✓ 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.

How to use Canesten Thrush External Cream

Women:

If Canesten Thrush External Cream has been prescribed for you by your doctor, follow any instructions he/she may have given you. If you purchased this product without a prescription, follow these directions closely:

• Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
• To treat the 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. A product to treat the internal (vaginal) infection should be used at the same time.

Treatment should be continued until symptoms of the infections disappear. Consult your doctor if the symptoms of your infection do not improve within seven days of finishing treatment for the internal infection.

Treating your sexual partner:

• If your sexual partner is treated with this cream, the cream should be applied to the end of the penis 2 or 3 times a day for up to two weeks.

What does Canesten Thrush External Cream contain?

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.