4.1. Therapeutic indications

Canesten Thrush External Cream is recommended for the treatment of candidal vulvitis. It should be used as an adjunct to treatment of candidal vaginitis.

It can also be used for treatment of the sexual partner's penis to prevent re-infection.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Canesten Thrush External Cream should be applied to the vulva and surrounding area. It can also be applied to the sexual partner's penis to prevent re-infection.

Adults

The cream should be applied thinly two or three times daily and rubbed in gently.

Treatment should be continued until symptoms of the infection disappear. However, if after concomitant treatment of the vaginitis, the symptoms do not improve within seven days, the patient should consult a doctor.

If the cream is being used for treatment of the sexual partner's penis it should be applied two or three times daily for up to two weeks.

Children

There is no clinical experience in the use of Canesten Thrush External Cream in children.

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

Medical advice should be sought if this is the first time the patient has experienced symptoms of candidal vaginitis.

Before using Canesten Thrush External Cream medical advice must be sought if any of the following are applicable:

- more than two infections of candidal vaginitis in the last six months

- previous history of a sexually transmitted disease or exposure to partner with sexually transmitted disease

- pregnancy or suspected pregnancy

- aged under 16 or over 60 years

- known hypersensitivity to imidazoles or other vaginal antifungal products

Canesten Thrush External Cream should not be used if the patient has any of the following symptoms whereupon medical advice should be sought:

- irregular vaginal bleeding

- abnormal vaginal bleeding or a blood-stained discharge

- vulval or vaginal ulcers, blisters or sores

- lower abdominal pain or dysuria

- any adverse events such as redness, irritation or swelling associated with the treatment

- fever or chills

- nausea or vomiting

- diarrhoea

- foul smelling vaginal discharge

This product contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis). The product also contains benzyl alcohol which may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation.

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. Patients should be advised to use alternative precautions for at least five days after using this product.

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 breastfeeding.

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 cream has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Frequency not known. As the listed undesirable effects are based on spontaneous reports, assigning accurate frequency of occurrence for each is not possible

Immune system disorder: anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, hypersensitivity

Vascular disorder: syncope, hypotension

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea

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.