PLEASE READ THIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY

BEFORE YOU START YOUR TREATMENT.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ARE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING IN THIS LEAFLET, ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST (CHEMIST)

CANESTEN 100MG PESSARY

WHAT DO CANESTEN 100MG PESSARIES CONTAIN?

Each pessary contains 100mg of the active ingredient clotrimazole .

The other ingredients are lactose, maize starch, adipic acid, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, silicon dioxide and polysorbate .

There are 6 peassaries and an applicator in a box.

Canesten Pessaries contain clotrimazole. This is one of a group of medicines called imidazoles which are used to treat fungal infections such as thrush.

Product Licence holder:

Bayer plc Pharmaceuticals Division

Bayer House, Strawberry Hill

Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 1JA

Manufacturer: Bayer AG

Leverkusen, Germany

WHEN SHOULD I USE CANESTEN 100MG

PESSARIES?

The pessaries should be used to treat vaginal thrush .

Vaginal thrush (candidiasis) is a common infection caused by a fungus which may live harmlessly in the vagina without you even noticing it. However, in certain circumstances it may develop into an infection in the vagina and the symptoms may spread to the surrounding area (the vulva).

The common symptoms of thrush are:

  • itching of the vagina and vulva
  • redness and swelling of the tissues of the vagina and vulva
  • soreness of the vagina
  • a white non-smelling discharge from the vagina

Not everybody who has thrush has all of these symptoms. You may have only one of them.

 

 

If this is the first time you have had these symptoms, talk to your doctor before using any treatment.

WHEN SHOULD I NOT USE CANESTEN 100mg PESSARIES?

Do not use the pessaries if you have previously had an allergic reaction to the active ingredient clotrimazole. If you are unsure about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

See your doctor as soon as possible and do not use the pessaries if you have any of the following symptoms:

This is because Canesten 100mg Pessaries may not be the right treatment for you.

If you are unsure whether you have thrush, check with your doctor before using Canesten 100mg Pessaries.

WHAT SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I

TAKE?

If you are pregnant or are planning a family, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Canesten Pessaries. If you have informed your doctor or pharmacist already, follow their instructions carefully.

During pregnancy, extra care should be taken when using the applicator.

Before using the pessaries, you should see your doctor if:

WHEN AND HOW DO I USE CANESTEN 100MG PESSARIES?

The carton contains six Canesten 100mg Pessaries held inside a foil blister pack, and an applicator for insertion of the pessaries into the vagina. This is a full course of treatment. However, in the event that your symptoms persist upon completion of the course, see your doctor as he/she may recommend further treatment.

The applicator should be used to insert a pessary into the vagina before going to sleep on six consecutive nights. Alternatively, two pessaries may be inserted into the vagina before going to sleep on three consecutive nights.

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Please follow the instructions below carefully:

Remove the applicator from the packaging. Pull out plunger A until it stops. Remove a pessary from the blister pack and place the pessary firmly into applicator B (Diagram 1). To fit the pessary into the applicator, the holder of the applicator needs to be squeezed lightly at either side. The pessary fits tightly into

the applicator and needs to be squeezed into the holder just far enough to be held in place during insertion (about 1cm).

Carefully put the applicator as deeply as is comfortable into the vagina (this is easiest when lying on your back with your knees bent up) (Diagram 2).

Holding the applicator in place, slowly press the plunger until it stops so that the pessary is deposited into the vagina. Remove the applicator.

After use, remove plunger A completely by pulling it out of the applicator B. Then wash it in warm (not boiling) soapy water, rinse and dry carefully (Diagram 3).

The symptoms of thrush such as burning, soreness or itching of the vagina and surrounding area should disappear within three days of treatment. If no improvement is seen after 7 days, tell your doctor.

You can help prevent further infections if you follow these simple self-help tips:
  • Try to avoid wearing tight nylon knickers and close fitting jeans too often. These provide warm and airless conditions which help the thrush fungus to grow.
  • Wash daily, but use simple, unperfumed soaps – not heavily scented or medicated ones. Do not scrub hard with sponges or flannels, and avoid hot baths with strong perfumed oils or disinfectants. The most soothing bath to have if you have thrush is a warm one with some salt in it.
  • After going to the toilet, do get into the habit of wiping yourself from front to back, as a thrush infection may easily be transferred from the bowel.

If you are still worried or have any further questions about the symptoms or the treatment, do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Canesten Pessaries should be used in the vaginaonly. Do not put thme in your mouth or swallow them. If you do swallow any pessaries accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FORGET TO USE MY CANESTEN 100MG PESSARIES?

Canesten Pessaries should be used for six consecutive nights if one pessary is used, or three consecutive nights if two pessaries are used. However, if you forget to insert a pessary, follow the advice given below:

 

 

When you remember, continue with your course of treatment. If you have forgotten for more than one day, your infection may not be fully treated, so if symptoms persist upon completion of this course, please arrange to see your doctor

If you forget to use the cream, apply it as soon as possible and then continue the rest of your treatment as usual.

WHAT SIDE-EFFECTS MAY I EXPERIENCE?

Rarely, Canesten 100 mg Pessaries may cause side-effects in some people. The side-effects are very similar to the symptoms of thrush. If the redness, burning, irritation or swelling get worse, stop using the pessaries and see your doctor as soon as possible.

As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the Canesten Pessaries. Usually, if you are allergic to the pessaries, a reaction will occur soon after you start using it. An allergic reaction may appear as a rash, nausea, faintness or facial swelling. If you experience any of these effects, tell your doctor Immediately.

If you feel you are reacting badly to this medicine in any other way, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW SHOULD I STORE MY CANESTEN 100MG PESSARIES?

No special precautions are required but it is best to keep the pessaries in the original carton in a cool, dry place.

Keep out of the reach of children

Do not use the pessaries or cream after their expiry date. This will be printed at one end of the carton, on the end of the tube of cream and on the foil blister strip of the pessaries. Wherever you see "EXP" this means "expiry date". For example, EXP 12/99 means that your pessaries must not be used after December 1999.

If you find that you still have this medicine after its expiry date, return it to your local pharmacist who will dispose of it properly.

Date of Preparation: April 1995

REMEMBER:

This medicine is for use by you and your sexual partner only. Do not give it to anyone else under any circumstances. If you have any doubts about using Canesten Pessaries correctly, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Product Licence Numbers: 0010/0015R

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