Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Canesten Dermatological Spray
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Clotrimazole may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
How to take it
CANESTEN® DERMATOLOGICAL SPRAY
If Canesten Dermatological Spray 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 the first application, press the atomiser head down once or twice. The spray is then ready to use.
- If the feet are infected, they should be washed and dried thoroughly, especially between the toes, before applying the spray.
- Canesten Dermatological Spray should be applied to the affected areas two or three times daily, from a distance of about 6 inches.
- The duration of the treatment depends upon the type of infection. Generally a minimum •
of two weeks is required, although up to four weeks may be necessary. If you have athlete's foot, it may help to use an antifungal dusting powder as well. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend one.
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 persist, consult your doctor.
Canesten® Dermatological Spray should only be used on your skin:
Avoid contact with eyes, ears, nose and mouth. If contact happens accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital. Do not inhale the spray. Do not spray near a naked flame.
If you forget to use Canesten® Dermatological Spray:
Apply the spray as soon as possible and then continue the rest of your treatment as usual.
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.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Like all medicines, Canesten Dermatological Spray can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the spray. If you are allergic, a reaction will occur soon after you start using it. If you experience an allergic reaction, stop using Canesten Dermatological Spray and tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital. Signs of an allergic reaction may include:
- Rash.
- Swallowing or breathing problems.
- Swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
- Weakness, feeling dizzy or faint.
- Nausea. After you apply the spray you might experience:
- Itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, swelling, irritation, pins and needles, redness or peeling of skin.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible
Possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
CANESTEN® DERMATOLOGICAL SPRAY Keep out of the sight and reach of children. This product should be stored in the original carton. Do not use Canesten Dermatological Spray after the expiry date which is stated at one end of the carton and on the label of the bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION What Canesten® Dermatological Spray contains: •
The active substance is clotrimazole at a strength of 1% w/v.
- The other ingredients are isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol and macrogol 400. See Section 2 'Important information about some of the ingredients' for propylene glycol advice. The spray is produced by an atomiser and contains no propellant.
What Canesten® Dermatological Spray looks like and contents of the pack: Canesten Dermatological Spray is available in bottles containing 40ml of colourless solution.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Bayer plc, 400 South Oak Way, Reading RG2 6AD, UK
Manufacturer:
KVP Pharma + Veterinär Produkte GmbH, Projensdorfer Str 324, 24106 Kiel, Germany Remember: If you have any doubts about using Canesten® Dermatological Spray correctly, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. For UK residents only: if you have any questions or would like more information, call our Canesten Advice Line on 0845 758 5030. Calls charged at local rate. This leaflet was last revised in April 2021. Canesten is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, Germany.
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Frequently asked questions about Canesten Dermatological Spray
How do I take Canesten Dermatological Spray?
Canesten Dermatological Spray comes as spray. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Canesten Dermatological Spray?
The active substance in Canesten Dermatological Spray is clotrimazole.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Canesten Dermatological Spray, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Canesten Dermatological Spray without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: clotrimazole
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Recommended for the treatment of:
(i) All dermatomycoses due to moulds and other fungi, (e.g. Trichophyton species).
(ii) All dermatomycoses due to yeasts (Candida species).
(iii) Skin diseases showing secondary infection with these fungi.
The spray is particularly suitable for infections covering large and/or hairy areas.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
The spray should be applied thinly 2-3 times daily for at least one month for dermatophyte infections, and at least two weeks for candidal and Pityriasis versicolor infections.
There is no separate dosage schedule for the young or elderly.
Method of administration
If the feet are infected they should be washed and dried, especially between the toes, before applying.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Canesten Dermatological Spray should not be used near a naked flame, should not be allowed to come into contact with the eyes, ears or mucous membranes and should not be inhaled.
This product contains propylene glycol, which may cause skin irritation.
Do not use this medicine in babies less than 4 weeks old with open wounds or large areas of broken or damaged skin (such as burns) without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Because this medicine contains propylene glycol, do not use it on open wounds or large areas of broken or damaged skin (such as burns) without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Instruct patients not to 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.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy:
There is a limited amount of data from the use of clotrimazole in pregnant women. Animal studies with clotrimazole have shown reproductive toxicity at high oral doses (see section 5.3). At the low systemic exposures of clotrimazole following topical treatment, harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity are not predicted. Clotrimazole can be used during pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a physician or midwife.
Lactation:
There are no data on the excretion of clotrimazole into human milk. However, systemic absorption is minimal after administration and is unlikely to lead to systemic effects. Clotrimazole may be used during lactation. If used topically on the nipple area, wash breasts before feeding child.
Fertility:
No human studies of the effects of clotrimazole on fertility have been performed; however, animal studies have not demonstrated any effects of the drug on fertility.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Clotrimazole spray has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
As the listed undesirable effects are based on spontaneous reports, assigning an accurate frequency of occurrence for each is not possible.
Immune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, hypersensitivity.
Vascular disorders: syncope, hypotension.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnoea.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: blister, dermatitis contact, erythema, paraesthesia, skin exfoliation, pruritus, rash, urticaria, stinging skin/burning sensation skin.
General disorders and administration site conditions: application site irritation, application site reaction, oedema, pain.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
No risk of acute intoxication is seen as it is unlikely to occur following a single dermal application of an overdose (application over a large area under conditions favourable to absorption) or inadvertent oral ingestion. There is no specific antidote.
However, in the event of accidental oral ingestion, routine measures such as gastric lavage should be performed only if clinical symptoms of overdose become apparent (e.g. dizziness, nausea or vomiting). Gastric lavage should be carried out only if the airway can be protected adequately.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
- CLOTRIMAZOL FITERMAN 10 mg/g over the counterCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL ATB 10 mg/g over the counterCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL ZENTIVA 100 mg over the counterCLOTRIMAZOLUM · taken by mouth
- CANESTEN 10 mg/g over the counterCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL ROMPHARM 10 mg/g over the counterCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL BIOFARM 10,87 mg/ml over the counterCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
- Clotrimazolum GSKClotrimazolum
- Clotrimazolum MedanaClotrimazolum
- Clotrimazolum PromedoClotrimazolum
- Clotrimazolum ZiajaClotrimazolum
- Clotrimazolum AflofarmClotrimazolum
- FungiderminClotrimazolum · skin / topical
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Canesten Dermatological Spray. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
Medicines containing Clotrimazole
- Canesten 10% w/w Vaginal Cream
- Canesten 100mg Pessary
- Canesten 200mg Pessary
- Canesten 500mg Pessary
- Canesten Athlete's Foot 1% w/w Cream
- Canesten Combi Pessary & External Cream 500mg / 2% w/w pessary & cream
- Canesten Combi Soft Gel Pessary & External Cream 500mg / 2% w/w vaginal capsule & cream
- Canesten Cream
- Canesten Solution
- Canesten Thrush Combi Internal & External Creams 10% w/w / 2% w/w vaginal cream & cream
- Canesten Thrush Combi Soft Gel Pessary & External Cream 500mg / 2% w/w vaginal capsule & cream
- Canesten Thrush External Cream 2% w/w cream
- Canesten Thrush Internal Cream 10% w/w vaginal cream
- Canesten Thrush Pessary 500mg pessary