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 HC Cream (with acetate)
⚠ 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, Hydrocortisone acetate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
How to take it
CANESTEN® HC CREAM Unless directed otherwise by your doctor, follow these directions closely:
- Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
- If feet are infected; before applying the cream, they should be washed and dried thoroughly, especially between the toes.
- Canesten HC cream should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected areas twice daily and rubbed in gently. Approximately 1cm of cream per application should be sufficient.
- Do not cover the area being treated with a dressing or bandage.
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If you forget to use Canesten® HC Cream:
Apply the cream as soon as possible and then con of your treatment as usual.
You can help the treatment to work if you these simple self-help tips: • • • • •
Although the infected area will itch, try not to Scratching will damage the surface of the skin the infection to spread further. Keep the affected skin areas clean. Pay particular attention to drying the skin, inc between the toes, but avoid excessive rubbin Do not share towels, bath mats, etc. with othe you could spread the infection to them. Always wash your hands after treating the inf prevent it from spreading.
If you have Athlete's Foot: • • 999 laetus_1.5
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
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Remember to dry the skin between the toes t Wash your socks, stockings and tights thoroug water to remove any shed skin or fungal spor Change your footwear daily if possible.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Canesten HC Cream can cause although not everybody gets them. As with all medicines, some people may be allerg cream. If you or your baby are allergic, a reaction soon after you start using it. If you or your baby e allergic reaction, stop using Canesten HC Cream an doctor straight away or contact the Accident and E Department of your nearest hospital. Signs of an a 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 cream, you might experience symptoms:
- Itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, sw irritation, redness or peeling of skin, blurred v Treatment should be limited to 7 days unless adv by your doctor. If you apply the cream to a large a a dressing, or if you use the cream for more than may experience skin reactions such as:
- Broken veins.
- Excess hair growth.
- Stretch marks.
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As with all products containing hydrocortisone, you should wash your hands immediately after applying the cream. Treatment should be continued for no more than 7 days. 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 the symptoms persist or do not start to improve after 7 days, consult your doctor.
Canesten® HC Cream is for external use only:
Do not put the cream in your mouth or swallow it. If the cream is swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital. If you accidentally get cream in your eyes or mouth, wash immediately with water and contact your doctor.
If you forget to use Canesten® HC Cream:
Apply the cream 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: • 999 laetus_1.5
• • • •
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, including between the toes, 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.
- Thinning or whitening of skin.
- Secondary infections.
- An acne-like rash. If you or your baby experience any of the above effects or react badly to the cream in any other way not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor immediately.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any 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.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Canesten HC Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the cream. If you or your baby are allergic, a reaction will occur soon after you start using it. If you or your baby experience an allergic reaction, stop using Canesten HC Cream 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 cream, you might experience the following symptoms:
- Itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, swelling, irritation, redness or peeling of skin, blurred vision. Treatment should be limited to 7 days unless advised otherwise by your doctor. If you apply the cream to a large area or under a dressing, or if you use the cream for more than 2 weeks, you may experience skin reactions such as:
- Broken veins.
- Excess hair growth.
- Stretch marks.
•
The active substances are clotrimazole and hydrocortisone acetate. Each gram of cream contains 10mg clotrimazole and 11.2mg hydrocortisone acetate (equivalent to 10mg hydrocortisone). The other ingredients are benzyl alcohol,cetostearyl alcohol, triceteareth-4-phosphate, medium chain triglycerides, purified water, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. See Section 2 'Do not use' and 'Important information about some of the ingredients' for cetostearyl and benzyl alcohol advice.
What Canesten® HC Cream looks like and contents of the pack: Canesten HC Cream is available in tubes containing 5g or 30g 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-Whylen, Germany Remember: This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not give it to anyone else under any circumstances. If you have any doubts about using Canesten® HC Cream correctly, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. For UK residents only: If you have any further questions you can call us on 0118 206 3232. This leaflet was last revised in May 2026. Canesten is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, Germany.
AW.PRE.CH-81901-01
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How to store it
CANESTEN® HC CREAM Keep out of the sight and reach of children. This product should be stored in the original carton. Do not store above 250C. Once opened, use within 6 months. Do not use Canesten HC Cream after the expiry date which is stated at one end of the carton and on the end of the tube of cream. 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® HC Cream contains: •
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.
Frequently asked questions about Canesten HC Cream (with acetate)
How do I take Canesten HC Cream (with acetate)?
Canesten HC Cream (with acetate) comes as cream. 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 HC Cream (with acetate)?
The active substance in Canesten HC Cream (with acetate) is clotrimazole, hydrocortisone acetate.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Canesten HC Cream (with acetate), 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 HC Cream (with acetate) 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, hydrocortisone acetate
- 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
Canesten HC is indicated for the treatment of the following skin infections where co-existing symptoms of inflammation, e.g. itching, require rapid relief:
a) All dermatomycoses due to dermatophytes (e.g. Trichophyton species), moulds and other fungi.
b) All dermatomycoses due to yeasts (Candida species).
c) Skin diseases showing secondary infection with these fungi.
d) The treatment of nappy rash where infection due to Candida albicans is present. Candidal vulvitis, candidal balanitis and candidal intertrigo.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology:
Canesten HC Cream should be thinly and evenly applied to the affected area twice daily and rubbed in gently. Treatment should be for a maximum of 7 days.
A total daily dose of 10 mg cream per kg body weight should not be exceeded. For an adult weighing 50 kg the maximum daily dose is 500 mg cream which equals approximately 2 cm of cream to be divided into 2 applications per day.
There is no separate dosage schedule for the elderly or the young. However, long-term therapy to extensive areas of skin should be avoided particularly in infants and children.
Treatment duration:
If the acute symptoms have subsided after about 7 days but treatment is still required, this may be carried out with the corticoid-free preparation intended for this purpose.
4.3. Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
- Use on broken skin
- Diseases affecting the skin (e.g. acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, lues, tuberculosis, etc.)
- Any untreated bacterial skin diseases
- Viral skin diseases (e.g. herpes simplex, chicken pox, shingles etc.)
- Dermal vaccination reactions.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Because of its corticosteroid content, Canesten HC should not be applied:
• to large areas (more than 5 - 10% of the body surface).
• in long term continuous therapy.
• under occlusive dressings (such as nappies and bandages).
These restrictions apply particularly in:
• Infants, where the nappy can act as an occlusive dressing and increase systemic absorption.
• Infants and children, where increased systemic absorption may occur resulting in adrenocortical suppression.
This product contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis). The cream also contains benzyl alcohol which may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation.
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.
Visual disturbance:
Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Laboratory tests have suggested that, when used together, this product may cause damage to latex contraceptives. Consequently, the effectiveness of such contraceptives may be reduced. To date this has not been reflected in clinical practice.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
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. No data is available on the effects of topically applied hydrocortisone.
Pregnancy:
There is a limited amount of data from the use of clotrimazole or hydrocortisone in pregnant women. Animal studies with clotrimazole and corticosteroids have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). At the low systemic exposures of clotrimazole and hydrocortisone following topical treatment, harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity are not predicted.
Canesten HC cream can be used during pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a physician or midwife. As a precautionary measure it is preferable to refrain from applying the cream for long periods during pregnancy.
Lactation:
Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown excretion of clotrimazole/metabolites in milk after intravenous administration (see section 5.3).
No data on hydrocortisone is available, but topically applied hydrocortisone is unlikely to cause systematic effects due to the low percutaneous penetration. However, cutaneous absorption may be increased under certain circumstances, such as with use of occlusive dressing, the degree of skin damage, and the size of the treated area.
A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Canesten HC therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Canesten HC has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
As the listed undesirable effects are based on spontaneous reports, assigning accurate frequency of occurrence for each is not possible
Immune system disorders: allergic reaction (syncope, hypotension, dyspnea, urticaria)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: blisters, discomfort/pain, oedema, erythema, irritation, peeling/exfoliation, pruritus, rash, stinging/burning
Eye disorders: vision, blurred (see also section 4.4)
After use on large areas (more than 10% of the body surface) and/or after long-term use (longer than 2-4 weeks) or use under occlusive dressings, local skin alterations such as skin atrophy, teleangiectasias, hypertrichosis, striations, hypopigmentation, secondary infection and acneiform symptoms may occur.
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 reports are available on cases of intoxication with Canesten HC. 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, gastric lavage is rarely required and should be considered only if a life-threatening amount of Clotrimazole has been ingested within the preceding hour or 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
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Clotrimazole, Hydrocortisone acetate. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
- CLOTRIMAZOL FITERMAN 10 mg/g over the counter partial — not the same combinationCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL ATB 10 mg/g over the counter partial — not the same combinationCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CANESTEN 10 mg/g over the counter partial — not the same combinationCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL ROMPHARM 10 mg/g over the counter partial — not the same combinationCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL BIOFARM 10,87 mg/ml over the counter partial — not the same combinationCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
- CLOTRIMAZOL SLAVIA 10 mg/g over the counter partial — not the same combinationCLOTRIMAZOLUM · skin / topical
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. 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
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Clotrimazole, Hydrocortisone acetate. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
- Fungidermin partial — not the same combinationClotrimazolum · skin / topical
- Hydrocort CHEMA partial — not the same combinationHydrocortisoni acetas · skin / topical
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. 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 HC Cream (with acetate). 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.