Cream

Clotrimazole 1% w/w
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains diaphragms. Consequently, if you are using this cream on the
important information for you. vulva or penis, you should use alternative precautions for at
least five days after using this product.
This medicine is available without prescription. However, you
still need to use Canesten Cream carefully to get the best Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
results from it. Canesten Cream can be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby, tell
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. your doctor or midwife before using Canesten Cream.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice. If you have informed your doctor or midwife already, follow
• You must contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do his/her instructions carefully.
not improve. If used on the nipple area, wash your breasts before
breastfeeding.
• If you have any unusual effects after using this product,
tell your doctor or pharmacist. 3. HOW TO USE CANESTEN® CREAM
If Canesten Cream has been prescribed for you by your doctor,
IN THIS LEAFLET follow any instructions he/she may have given you. If you
purchased this product without a prescription, follow these
1. What is Canesten Cream and what is it used for? directions closely:
2. Before you use Canesten Cream
• Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over
3. How to use Canesten Cream the end of the tube and press.
4. Possible side effects • If the feet are infected, they should be washed and dried
5. How to store Canesten Cream thoroughly, especially between the toes, before applying
6. Further information the cream.
• Canesten Cream should be applied thinly and evenly to
the affected areas two or three times daily and rubbed in
1. WHAT IS CANESTEN® CREAM AND gently.
WHAT IS IT USED FOR? • A strip of cream (1/2 cm long) is enough to treat an area of
Canesten Cream is used to treat fungal skin infections such as about the size of the hand.
ringworm, athlete’s foot, fungal nappy rash and fungal sweat • The duration of the treatment depends upon the type of
rash. It is also used to relieve irritation of the vulva (external infection. Generally a minimum of two weeks is required,
thrush) or the end of the penis, which may be associated with although up to four weeks may be necessary.
thrush.
• If you have athlete’s foot, it may help to use an antifungal
If you are unsure whether you (or your baby if treating dusting powder as well. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
nappy rash) have one of these fungal skin infections, seek recommend one.
the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
The symptoms of skin infection, such as itching or soreness,
The active substance in Canesten Cream is clotrimazole. should improve within a few days of treatment although signs

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Clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called such as redness and scaling may take longer to disappear. If
imidazoles and is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
fungal skin infections.
Canesten® Cream is for external use only:
Do not put the cream in your mouth or swallow it.
2. BEFORE YOU USE CANESTEN® CREAM If the cream is swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor straight
Do not use Canesten® Cream: away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of
• If you (or your baby if treating nappy rash) are allergic your nearest hospital.
(hypersensitive) to clotrimazole or any of the other If you accidentally get cream in your eyes or mouth, wash
ingredients, including cetostearyl alcohol or benzyl immediately with water and contact your doctor.
alcohol, of Canesten Cream.
If you forget to use Canesten® Cream:
• To treat nail or scalp infections. Apply the cream as soon as possible and then continue the
Important information about some of the ingredients: rest of your treatment as usual.
This product contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause You can help the treatment to work if you follow these
local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis). The medicine simple self-help tips:
also contains 20mg benzyl alcohol in each gram of cream.
Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions and mild local • Although the infected area will itch, try not to scratch.
irritation. Scratching will damage the surface of the skin and cause
the infection to spread further.
Warnings and precautions • Keep the affected skin areas clean.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns.
• Pay particular attention to drying the skin, but avoid
Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in
excessive rubbing.
contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious
fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product • Do not share towels, bath mats, etc. with other people as
build-up but not totally remove it. you could spread the infection to them.
As with other creams, Canesten Cream may reduce the • Always wash your hands after treating the infection to
effectiveness of rubber contraceptives, such as condoms or prevent it from spreading.
If you have athlete’s foot: Remember: If you have any doubts about using Canesten®
Cream correctly, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• Remember to dry the skin between the toes thoroughly.
• Wash your socks, stockings and tights thoroughly in hot Further information about fungal infections:
water to remove any shed skin or fungal spores. Fungal infections are very common and affect many people.
Some of the most common fungal skin infections include
• Change your footwear daily if possible. athlete’s foot, nappy rash, sweat rash and ringworm.
There are two main types of fungal infection:
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS • The tinea group, also known as dermatophytes.
Like all medicines, Canesten Cream can cause side effects, • The candida group, also known as yeasts.
although not everybody gets them. The tinea group includes athlete’s foot and ringworm, both of
As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the cream. which are easily spread by contact. The fungus that causes
If you or your baby are allergic, a reaction will occur soon after athlete’s foot usually lives harmlessly on our skin and in our
you start using it. If you or your baby experience an allergic environment. The natural balance that normally keeps it under
reaction, stop using Canesten Cream and tell your doctor straight control can be upset by factors such as damp moist conditions.
away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of This could happen, for example, through regularly wearing
your nearest hospital. Signs of an allergic reaction may include: training shoes that keep the feet hot and sweaty. Since this
fungus is contagious, it can also often be picked up in
• Rash. changing rooms. Ringworm is usually passed on from animals
• Swallowing or breathing problems. to children. Ringworm is not actually a worm, its name comes
from the circular wormlike shape that it forms on the skin. The
• Swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue. main symptom for both is an itchy, scaly and irritating rash.
• Weakness, feeling dizzy or faint. The candida group can be responsible for conditions such as
• Nausea. sweat rash and thrush. Sweat rash can appear anywhere on
the body, but is more likely to occur where folds of skin rub
After you apply the cream you might experience:
against each other, such as: under the breasts, under arms,
• Itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, swelling, around the groin and on the back. Candida is a yeast-like
irritation, pins and needles, redness or peeling of skin. fungus that usually lives harmlessly on our skin. However, the
Reporting of side effects natural balance that normally keeps it under control can be
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or upset by factors such as sweating, tight or synthetic clothing
nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this and cosmetic preparations such as bath additives. When levels
leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow of the yeast increase, the skin can develop the following
Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for symptoms: persistent burning and itching, soreness and a
MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. variety of patches or blemishes as well as a softened and
By reporting side effects you can help provide more soggy appearance.
information on the safety of this medicine. The candida group can also be responsible for nappy rash.
Most babies develop nappy rash at some stage. Although this
is rarely a serious condition, the rash can be extremely
5. HOW TO STORE CANESTEN® CREAM distressing for both you and your baby. Nappy rash which lasts
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. longer than three days may be fungal in origin and will require
an antifungal treatment. The symptoms of fungal nappy rash
This product should be stored in the original carton. include red patches on the baby’s bottom and genitals,
Do not store above 25°C. burning and itching.
Do not use Canesten Cream after the expiry date which is For UK residents only: if you have any questions or would
stated at one end of the carton and on the end of the tube of like more information, call our Canesten Advice Line
cream. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. on 0845 758 5030. Calls charged at local rate.

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Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or This leaflet was last revised in April 2021.
household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of
medicines no longer required. These measures will help to Canesten is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, Germany.
protect the environment.

6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Canesten® Cream contains:
• The active substance is clotrimazole at a strength
of 1% w/w.
• The other ingredients are benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 60,
sorbitan stearate, cetyl palmitate, cetostearyl alcohol,
octyldodecanol and purified water.
See Section 2 ‘Do not use’ and ‘Important information
about some of the ingredients’ for cetosteary and benzyl
alcohol advice.
What Canesten® Cream looks like and contents of
the pack:
Canesten Cream is available in tubes containing 20g and 50g
of white cream. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Bayer plc, 400 South Oak Way, Reading, RG2 6AD, UK
Manufacturer:
GP Grenzach Produktions GmbH,
79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany. 89254779