Canesten Cream 1 % Clotrimazole 50g

Canesten Application Instructions & Treatment Duration

To ensure complete clinical clearing of the underlying fungal spores, follow these directions carefully:

• Preparation: Before first use, pierce the protective tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and pressing down firmly.
• Hygiene: If treating athlete's foot, always wash and dry the feet thoroughly—paying particular attention to the spaces between the toes—before applying the cream.
• Application: Apply the cream thinly and evenly to the affected areas 2 or 3 times daily and rub it in gently.
• Duration: Fungal infections require continuous care. Treatment generally demands a minimum of two weeks, though up to four weeks may be necessary to ensure the fungus is eradicated. If no improvement is visible after four weeks, you must consult your doctor.

Important Safety Warnings & Precautions

Contraceptive Advisory: Canesten Cream may significantly reduce the effectiveness of rubber contraceptives, such as condoms or diaphragms. If you are using this cream on the vulva or penis, alternative contraceptive precautions must be maintained for at least five days after your final application.

• Allergy Check: Do not use if you, your baby, or the patient are allergic to clotrimazole, cetostearyl alcohol, or benzyl alcohol.
• Skin Irritation: The inclusion of cetostearyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol (20mg per gram) may trigger localized skin reactions (such as redness, itching, or a mild rash).
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: This product can be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but only under the direct supervision of your doctor or midwife. If applying the cream to the nipple area, ensure the skin is washed thoroughly before breastfeeding.
• Application Boundaries: For external use only. Do not put the cream in your mouth or swallow it. Avoid contact with the eyes; if accidental contact occurs, wash immediately with water and contact your doctor.

Essential Self-Help Tips for Fungal Recovery

To accelerate your recovery and stop the infection from spreading across your body or to other family members, implement these simple hygiene practices:

• Avoid scratching the infected skin, as this damages the skin surface and causes the fungus to spread further.
• Keep the affected areas clean and dry them meticulously, avoiding excessive or harsh rubbing.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly every time you finish treating the infection.
• Do not share personal items like towels or bath mats with other people, as fungal spores are highly contagious.
• For athlete's foot, change your footwear daily if possible, and wash your socks, stockings, or tights in hot water to eliminate shed skin and active spores.

Inish Pharmacy Expert Tip

"The 50g tube of Canesten 1% Cream is an essential addition to any family first aid cabinet. Because fungal spores are incredibly resilient, the single most common mistake people make is stopping application the moment the visual rash fades or the itching stops. Symptoms like soreness usually improve within a few days, but the underlying fungus can remain alive in the deeper skin layers. Always commit to a minimum of two full weeks of continuous application, even if your skin looks completely clear. If you are treating athlete's foot, try to swap out tight synthetic training shoes for breathable footwear to keep the skin dry!

This cream contains Clotrimazole 500mg (1% w/w). It also contains benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, cetyl palmitate, cetostearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol and purified water. 

Canesten Anti-Fungal Cream Patient Information Leaflet