Health Centres - Canesten solution
How does it work?
Canesten solution contains the active ingredient clotrimazole, which is an antifungal medicine used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts.
Clotrimazole kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol causes holes to appear in the fungal cell membrane.
The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As clotrimazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.
Canesten solution is used to treat a wide range of skin infections caused by fungi. These include infections with dermatophytes such as tinea, eg ringworm (tinea corporis), athlete's foot (tinea pedis), and jock itch (tinea cruris) and infections with yeasts such as candida, eg fungal nappy rash or sweat rash. The solution is particularly useful for treating infections affecting large or hairy areas of skin. It can also be used to treat fungal infections affecting the outer or middle ear.
Canesten solution should be applied to the affected area(s) of skin thinly two to three times daily. For ear infections, two to three drops of the solution should be put inthe ear two to three times daily. Treatment should be continued for at least two weeks after the symptoms of the infection have cleared up. Ask your pharmacist for further advice on treating your particular infection.
If you are using Canesten solution to treat athlete's foot you should make sure you wash and dry the feet, especially between the toes, before applying the solution. You may also want to use Canesten powder inside your socks and shoes to help treat the infection and prevent it coming back.
What is it used for?
Skin infections caused by yeasts (eg Candida), dermatophytes (eg Trichophyton), moulds and other fungi, such as the following:
-
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
-
Fungal infection of the groin, ie jock itch
-
Ringworm
-
Fungal nappy rash caused by infection with Candida albicans
- Sweat rash caused by infection with Candida albicans
- Fungal infections of the outer ear and middle ear (otomycoses).
Warning!
- Canesten solution is for external use on the skin only. It should not be taken by mouth.
- Follow the printed instructions you have been given with this medicine.
- If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Not to be used in
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine when used during pregnancy has not been specifically studied. However, it has been used by a large number of women during pregnancy without any apparant harmful effects. As with all medicines, you should consult your doctor or midwife before using this medicine during pregnancy.
- This medicine is not significantly absorbed into the bloodstream from the skin and it is highly unlikely that any of the medicine will pass into breast milk. However, as with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding. If you do use this medicine while breastfeeding you should not apply it to the breasts before giving a feed, to avoid it being accidentally ingested by the nursing infant.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Irritation in area of use
- Burning sensation
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
There have been reports of a heat reaction if this medicine is used in the ear in combination with Sofradex ear drops. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this combination.
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