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| Strength | Quantity | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500mg / 2% | 1 pack | £15.25 |  |
| 500mg / 2% | 2 packs | £23.95 | |
Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 10/04/2021
Canesten Combi packs consist of an intravaginal (internal) treatment, and also an external cream. Canesten Combi is a complete antifungal treatment for vulvovaginal thrush as it targets both the internal and external symptoms.
Canesten Combi is a comprehensive and proven remedy for treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush) in females. It contains two components so it will treat both thrush inside the vagina and thrush on the skin of the external genitalia.
Canesten Combi is used to treat both the cause and symptoms of vaginal thrush. It contains two components – either a pessary or cream which is inserted inside the vagina using the included applicator; and soothing cream to relieve the uncomfortable external symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, and swelling.
The pessary option contains 500mg of clotrimazole which acts to attack the cell membrane of the yeast and prevent growth and reproduction. The internal cream option contains 5g of 10% clotrimazole cream.
The 2% clotrimazole cream acts to remove excess yeast cells residing on the skin of the genitalia. Together these two components eradicate your symptoms quickly and effectively.
The amount of time it takes for Canesten to take effect varies in each individual. The medication can begin to work in as little as a few hours of its first use, but typically, the external symptoms would start to improve within 3 days. It can take up to a week for the internal infection to clear away completely. It is important that the treatment is used continually until the symptoms of the infection have fully disappeared.
| Dose |
Insert one pessary, one dose of internal cream, and add a thin layer of external cream once per day for 2-3 days |
| Type of Medicine |
Imidazole antifungal |
| Mechanism |
Damages the function of fungal cell walls, destroying fungal cells and preventing new cells from being formed |
| Available Size |
1 or 2 packs |
| Available Strengths |
500mg/2% |
| Active Ingredient |
Clotrimazole |
| Price |
From £11.98 per pack |
| Side Effects |
Can include irritation, itching, swelling, redness, rash, vaginal bleeding, discomfort or swelling, pain in the pelvic area |
The active ingredient in the Canesten pessary is 500mg of clotrimazole.
The active ingredient in the Canesten intravaginal cream is 5g of 10% clotrimazole.
The active ingredient in the Canesten cream is 2% clotrimazole.
The inactive ingredients in the Canesten pessary are lactose monohydrate, cellulose, microcrystalline, lactic acid, maize starch, crospovidone, calcium lactate pentahydrate, magnesium stearate, silica, colloidal anhydrous and hypromellose
The inactive ingredients in the Canesten internal cream are sorbitan stearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl palmitate, cetostearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, benzyl alcohol and purified water.
The inactive ingredients in the Canesten external cream are sorbitan stearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl palmitate, cetostearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol, and purified water.
The internal cream should ideally be inserted high into the vagina, preferably being going to sleep at night for the most convenient treatment.
Follow these steps after washing your hands to administer the internal cream correctly:
To treat the external symptoms of vaginal thrush with Canesten cream, follow the steps below:
Each Canesten pessary comes in a foil package with an applicator to help insert it into the vagina. The pessary is not for oral use, and you must ensure that the packaging is not damaged or broken before use. It’s best to insert this at night, and it’s important to insert it as high up into the vagina as comfortably possible. You should wash your hands before insertion.
The following steps demonstrate how to correctly insert the pessary:
You should avoid using tampons while the pessary is in place, and it works best if you are not on your period.
This Canesten pessary is used as a one-off treatment. The pessary itself will dissolve inside your vagina and does not require removal at any time. If you feel your symptoms have not resolved after 1 week, you should see your doctor to check if a further pessary or alternative treatment is indicated.
For those experiencing vaginal thrush for the first time, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before treating with Canesten.
Intercourse should ideally be avoided during treatment as the infection could be transmitted to your partner, and then subsequently back to you!
If you do have sex, it is important to note that clotrimazole may damage latex condoms and diaphragms, and reduce the efficacy of spermicides, so these should not be relied upon as a method of contraception during your treatment.
Before using the pessary, seek medical advice if any of the following are applicable:
If you experience abdominal pain, fever, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or if your condition does not improve after treatment, then your symptoms may be due to a health issue other than a yeast infection. If so, you should seek medical advice.
As with all medications, some users may experience side-effects from clotrimazole, although not everyone will get them. The most common side-effects from the cream include:
The most common side-effects from the pessary include:
These effects may occur as your body adjusts to the medication, but if they continue after 7 days, try using a smaller amount of the cream. If the problems persist, discontinue use and contact your doctor or pharmacist.
The above is not a comprehensive list of the side-effects. For full details, refer to the patient information leaflet inside the medication package.
Do not use Canesten Combi if you are allergic to clotrimazole, other antifungal agents, or any of the inactive ingredients in the products.
The pessary is not recommended for those under the age of 16 without medical supervision.
Clotrimazole is not known to have any adverse interactions with other medications. However, before using Canesten Combi, you must inform your doctor of any medications or vitamin or herbal supplements you may be taking, specifically:
There are two Canesten Combi options from Dr Felix
Thrush can also be treated with oral fluconazole as a one-off tablet, which can be purchased alone, or in combination with an external cream that is available in a handy Canesten Duo pack.
While both pessaries and internal (intravaginal) creams have the same efficacy, some people prefer to use a cream rather than a pessary if they feel uncomfortable using a pessary. Others prefer to use a pessary as this might be less messy and easier to use. It’s up to personal preference.
If your thrush does not improve within 7 days of treatment with Canesten Combi, you must talk to your doctor. You may need a longer course of treatment or stronger prescription medication to relieve the symptoms and address the root cause.
You should not use clotrimazole or other antifungal medications for longer than 7 days at a time unless specifically instructed by your doctor; this is because the infection may eventually become resistant to the medication, making it ineffective.
If you find no improvements in your condition from using Canesten Combi for the prescribed period, then you may need to consider using an alternative treatment option – speak with your doctor, who will advise you accordingly.
If your vaginal thrush improves within 7 days of treating with Canesten Combi but then returns after 7 days or more, you may begin treatment again with another pessary or cream.
However, if you experience frequent bouts of thrush throughout the year, speak with your doctor who may run some tests to diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms and prescribe you an alternative, more appropriate treatment to address the problem.
Vaginal thrush is not generally considered an STI, and you can get thrush without ever having had sex. However, if you have thrush, there is a risk of it being passed on to your partner during sexual intercourse. For this reason, it is best to avoid having sex until the infection has completely cleared.
There is currently no clinical evidence to suggest that clotrimazole will affect fertility in men or women.
You should speak to your doctor prior to using Canesten Combi if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Once you have effectively treated vulvovaginal thrush with Canesten Combi, there are several lifestyle habits you can adopt to reduce the risk of the infection returning:
Canesten Combi is only suitable for women, as it contains an intravaginal component. Options available to treat thrush in men include oral fluconazole or clotrimazole cream.
Your symptoms should be starting to resolve within 3 days of using Canesten Combi. If your symptoms have not improved within a week, it’s time to speak to your doctor.
Canesten pessaries dissolve within a matter of hours, however, this will depend a little on the moisture content of your vagina. It’s recommended to insert a pessary at night before you go to bed so that it will be dissolved by morning.
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Easy to use website. A straightforward online consultation with a quick response back. Choice of products for your condition, all with clear descriptions and prices. And an amazing super fast dispatch/delivery. I found treatment for a minor problem in 2 days, sure beats trying to get an bob urgent appointment with my local surgery! Thank you all.
Diana