Canesten

Clotrimazole.

The cream contains 1% of the active ingredient clotrimazole.
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.

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 is indicated for the treatment of tinea pedis (Athlete's foot) and tinea cruris only.
Canesten anti-fungal powder is used for follow-up treatment of fungal infections of the skin and the folds of the skin.

Cream: Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
If the cream has been prescribed to the patient by the doctor, follow any instructions the doctor may give.
If the product has been purchased without a prescription, carefully follow the direction as follows: Canesten Cream should be applied, thinly and evenly, to the affected area two or three times daily and rubbed in gently.
If the feet are infected, they should be washed and dried thoroughly, especially between the toes, before applying the cream.
This product should not be used for more than 2 weeks.
The symptoms of the 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.
The doctor or pharmacist may recommend the use of an antifungal dusting powder as well, particularly for treating athlete's foot.
The patient can help the treatment work by following 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 affected skin areas clean and dry, but avoid excessive rubbing.
What should be done if the patient has forgotten 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. Please 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 the cream if the patient has previously had an allergic reaction to clotrimazole or to any of the other ingredients in the product. If unsure about this, ask the doctor.
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, consult the doctor before treatment.

Cream: Consult a doctor before using the product.
Not suitable for infant, children under age 12 and women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying for a baby. Stop using the product and consult a doctor if symptoms worsen or persist for more than 2 weeks.
Canesten Cream is for external use only and should not be put in the mouth or swallowed. If it is swallowed accidentally, seek medical advice immediately.
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: As with other medicines, Canesten Cream may cause side effects in some people. The patient may experience a mild burning or irritation immediately after applying the cream.
If intolerable, stop treatment and ask the doctor for advice.
If the patient experiences a rash or the itching worsens soon after using Canesten Cream, stop using it and tell the doctor immediately as the patient may be allergic to the product.
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 applying the cream the patient might experience: Itching, rash, blister, burning, discomfort, swelling, irritation, redness or peeling of skin.
If the symptoms get worse or persist for more than 2 weeks or patient is reacting badly to the medicine in any other way, consult the doctor.
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, stop using Canesten anti-fungal powder and consult the doctor.
If the patient experiences side effects that are not previously mentioned, please inform the doctor or pharmacist.

Powder: Please 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: If the patient still have the medicine after its expiry date, it should be returned to the local pharmacist who will dispose it properly.
REMEMBER: For any doubts about using Canesten Cream correctly, ask the pharmacist for advice.

Do not store the cream above 25°C.

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 form 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