Canesten oral capsule

How does it work?

Canesten oral capsule contains the active ingredient fluconazole, which is an antifungal medicine used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts. Canesten oral capsule is a single dose treatment for vaginal thrush. It can also be used to treat men who are suffering from thrush on the penis.

Vaginal thrush is the common term for infections of the vagina with Candida species of fungi, in particular Candida albicans. This infection causes inflammation and discharge from the vagina. In men it causes soreness and redness of the penis, tightness of the foreskin, or a white, odourless discharge from the penis.

Fluconazole kills the Candida fungi causing the thrush infection 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 fluconazole 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 oral capsule should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, either with or without food.

What is it used for?

Inflammation of the vagina caused by infection with Candida albicans (also known as vaginal thrush).

Inflammation of the penis and/or foreskin caused by infection with Candida albicans (also known as thrush).

Warning!

You should consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are not sure about the cause of your symptoms, if you or your partner have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, if you have had thrush more than twice in the last six months, if you are allergic to other antifungals or thrush treatments, or if you are aged under 16 or over 60 years of age.

Consult your doctor before using this medicine if you suffer from kidney disease, liver disease, unexplained jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) or any other chronic illness or disease, or if you are taking any other medicines, particularly those listed at the end of this factsheet.

Women should consult their doctor before taking this medicine if they are pregnant, suspect they could be pregnant or are breastfeeding, or if they have any of the following symptoms: abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding, blood-stained or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, vulval or vaginal ulcers, blisters or sores, lower abdominal pain, pain passing urine, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Men should consult their doctor before taking this medicine if their sexual partner does not have vaginal thrush, or if they have penile sores, ulcers or blisters, an abnormal penile discharge, if their penis has started to smell, or if they have pain on passing urine.

You should consult your doctor if your symptoms have not got better within a week of taking Canesten oral capsule.

Canesten oral capsule is not suitable for treating oral thrush. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on treating this infection.

Use with caution in

Kidney disease

Liver disease.

Not to be used in

Children under 16 years of age

Allergy to azole antifungal medicines, eg itraconazole, ketoconazole

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding.

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. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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 for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by pregnant women. If you are or think you could be pregnant, you should seek medical advice from your doctor or midwife for treating thrush.

This medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be taken by women who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

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.

Nausea

Abdominal discomfort

Diarrhoea

Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)

Headache

Rash (you should not use this medicine again if you get a rash after taking it).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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