Canesten

Cream: The active substance is clotrimazole at a strength of 1% w/w.
Powder: 1 g powder contains 0.01 g clotrimazole (1%).
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: Cream: Benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, cetyl palmitate, cetostearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol and purified water.
Powder: rice starch.

Cream: The active substance in Canesten Cream is clotrimazole. Clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called imidazoles and is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of fungal skin infections.
Powder: Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mode of action: Canesten anti-fungal powder is used for follow-up treatment of fungal infections of the skin and the folds of the skin caused by fungal infections such as dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds. Clotrimazole, the active ingredient in Canesten anti-fungal powder, attacks the fungus on the skin with the consequence that the fungus dies or is inhibited in its growth.
Canesten anti-fungal powder also absorbs a lot of moisture and dries the surface of the skin. The moisture that the fungus requires is thus removed. Canesten anti-fungal powder does not contain talc and is odourless.

Canesten Cream can be used for the treatment of tinea pedis (athlete's foot) or tinea cruris (jock itch) only.
If the patient is unsure whether he/she has one of these fungal skin infections, the patient must be advised to seek a doctor or pharmacist.
Canesten anti-fungal powder is used for follow-up treatment of fungal infections of the skin and the folds of the skin.

Cream: Follow these directions closely: Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
If the feet are infected, they should be washed and dried thoroughly, especially between the toes, before applying the cream.
Canesten Cream should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected areas two or three times daily and rubbed in gently.
A strip of cream (¹/₂ cm long) is enough to treat an area of about the size of the hand.
This product should not be used for more than 2 weeks. The patient must be advised to stop using this product and to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.
The symptoms of skin infection, such as itching or soreness, should improve within a few days of treatment although signs such as redness and scaling may take longer to disappear. If symptoms do not improve within 7 days, the patient must be advised to consult a doctor.
Canesten Cream is for external use only.
Do not put the cream in the mouth or swallow it.
If the cream is swallowed accidentally, the patient must be advised to inform the doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of the nearest hospital.
If the patient accidentally gets cream in their eyes or mouth, the patient must be advised to wash immediately with water and to contact a doctor.
If the patient forgets to use Canesten Cream: Apply the cream as soon as possible and then continue the rest of the treatment as usual.
Powder: Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, use Canesten anti-fungal powder as follows. Follow the directions carefully as otherwise Canesten anti-fungal powder cannot work properly.
How much Canesten anti-fungal powder should the patient use and how often: Powder the affected skin areas 1-2 times daily.
How and when should the patient use Canesten anti-fungal powder: Sprinkle Canesten anti-fungal powder onto the affected skin areas and the surrounding healthy skin and spread it thoroughly.
Wash the affected area of skin each time before using Canesten anti-fungal powder to remove any loose flakes of skin or residue from the previous treatment. Then dry the skin thoroughly - with athlete's foot especially between the toes - to completely remove any moisture.
For how long should the patient use Canesten anti-fungal powder: Follow up treatment with Canesten anti-fungal powder should not exceed 4-5 weeks.
What should be done if the patient has used too little Canesten anti-fungal powder or has forgotten to use it: Do not use a larger amount of Canesten anti-fungal powder next time, but continue the treatment as recommended.
What should be done if the patient wants to stop the treatment or finish it early: For complete elimination of the fungal infection and to prevent a relapse, the patient should not prematurely terminate or interrupt the treatment without consulting the doctor if possible. If the patient do discontinues the therapy, the complaint may well return, as the fungal infection will probably not be completely cured. However, the treatment should also not be stopped as soon as symptoms subside; continue the therapy consistently (as recommended previously).

Powder: What should be done if the patient has used too much Canesten anti-fungal powder (intentionally or inadvertently): There are no known consequences of excessive use of Canesten anti-fungal powder, no reports are available on this subject.

Cream: Do not use Canesten cream: If the patient is allergic (hypersensitive) to clotrimazole or any of the other ingredients of Canesten cream (listed in Description) including Cetostearyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol; To treat nail or scalp infections.
Powder: Canesten anti-fungal powder must not be used if the patient did not tolerate Canesten anti-fungal powder or another drug with the same active ingredient (clotrimazole) during treatment of a previous fungal infection. In this case, the patient must be advised to consult the doctor before treatment.

Cream: Not suitable for infant, children under age 12 and women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying for a baby.
This product should not be used for more than 2 weeks. The patient must be advised to stop using this product and to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings, etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
Important information about some of the ingredients: 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.
Powder: Canesten anti-fungal powder may reduce the effectiveness and safety of latex products such as condoms and diaphragms. The effectiveness of vaginal spermicides as a birth control method may also be reduced. The effect is temporary and occurs only during treatment.

Powder: If Canesten anti-fungal powder is used as directed under Dosage & Administration or as directed by the doctor or pharmacist, only very small quantities of the active ingredient clotrimazole will be absorbed by the body; it is therefore unlikely to have systemic effect (an effect on other organs). No studies have been carried out on the use of Canesten anti-fungal powder during pregnancy. If the patient is breast-feeding, Canesten anti-fungal powder should not be applied to the breast supplying the milk.

Cream: Like all medicines, Canesten Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the cream. If the patient is allergic, a reaction will occur soon after the patient starts using it. If the patient experiences an allergic reaction, the patient must be advised to stop using Canesten Cream and to inform the doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of the nearest hospital. Signs of an allergic reaction may include: Rash; Swallowing or breathing problems; Swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue; Weakness, feeling dizzy or faint; Nausea.
After the patient applies the cream, the patient might experience the following symptoms: Itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, swelling, irritation, redness or peeling of skin.
Reporting of side effects: If the patient gets any side effects, he/she must be advised to talk to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed. Reporting side effects can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Powder: Occasionally skin reactions (e.g. burning or stinging sensation or redness) may occur in the treated areas.
What actions should be taken if any of these side effects occur: If the patient experiences the side effects previously mentioned for the first time, or the symptoms worsen, the patient must be advised to stop using Canesten anti-fungal powder and to consult the doctor.
If the patient experiences side effects that are not previously mentioned, the patient must be advised to inform the doctor or pharmacist.

Powder: Note that this information may also apply to medicines used recently.
Canesten anti-fungal powder reduces the efficacy of other drugs which are also used to treat fungal infections (amphotericin and other polyene antibiotics such as nystatin and natamycin).

Cream: For any doubts about using Canesten Cream correctly, seek the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Cream: This product should be stored in the original carton.
Store below 25°C.

Cream: You can help the treatment to work if you follow these simple self-help tips: Although the infected area will itch, try not to scratch. Scratching will damage the surface of the skin and cause the infection to spread further.
Keep the affected skin areas clean.
Pay particular attention to drying the skin, but avoid excessive rubbing.
Do not share towels, bath mats, etc. with other people as you could spread the infection to them.
Always wash your hands after treating the infection to prevent it from spreading.
If you have athlete's foot: Remember to dry the skin between the toes thoroughly.
Wash your socks, stockings and tights thoroughly in hot water to remove any shed skin or fungal spores.
Change your footwear daily if possible.
Powder: Towels, clothes and socks/tights which come in contact with the affected areas of skin should be changed daily. This simple step will help the infection to clear and prevents it from being transmitted to other parts of the body and other people.

Topical Antifungals & Antiparasites

D01AC01 - clotrimazole ; Belongs to the class of imidazole and triazole derivatives. Used in the topical treatment of fungal infection.

Cream: P₂; Powd: P₁