Canesten 200mg pessaries contain the active ingredient clotrimazole, which is an antifungal medicine used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts, such as Candida Fungi (thrush infection).

Clotrimazole kills the Candida fungi causing the thrush infection by interfering with their cell membranes. 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. Clotrimazole makes holes appear in these membranes, which kills the fungi and clears up the infection.

The pessaries are inserted into the vagina to allow the clotrimazole to act directly in the area of infection.

Each pessary contains Clotrimazole 200mg

Adults and children over 16 years of age:

One pessary should be inserted daily (preferably at night) for three consecutive days. A second treatment may be carried out if necessary.

There is no separate dosage schedule for the elderly.

Canesten pessaries need moisture in the vagina in order to dissolve completely, otherwise undissolved pieces of the pessary might crumble out of the vagina. Pieces of undissolved pessary may be noticed by women who experience vaginal dryness. To help prevent this it is important that the pessary is inserted as high as possible in to the vagina at bedtime.

Generally:

treatment during the menstrual period should not be performed due to the risk of the pessary being washed out by the menstrual flow. The treatment should be finished before the onset of menstruation.

Do not use tampons, intravaginal douches, spermicides or other vaginal products while using this product.

Vaginal intercourse should be avoided in case of vaginal infection and while using this product because the partner could become infected.

Children:

Not for use in children under 16.

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

Before using Canesten 200mg Pessaries, 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 anti-fungal products.

Canesten 200mg Pessaries 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.

Patients should be advised to consult their physician if the symptoms have not been relieved within one week of using Canesten 200mg Pessaries. The pessaries can be used again if the candidal infection returns after 7 days. However, if the candidal infection recurs more than twice within six months, patients should be advised to consult their physician.

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.

Clotrimazole can be used during pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a physician or midwife. During pregnancy the pessary should be inserted without using an applicator.

The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with Canesten pessaries:

• Vaginal irritation, for example burning, stinging, itching, redness, rash, blistering or peeling. Stop using the pessaries and consult your doctor if you have a severe reaction to them.
• You may experience some pelvic or abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding after using the pessaries.