Canesten Pessary is a single application for the treatment of thrush it is inserted into the vagina for treatment at the site of infection.

The full course of treatment consists of a Canesten pessary held inside a foil blister pack, and an applicator for insertion of the pessary into the vagina.

The pessary also contains an ingredient that helps restore the vagina's pH balance

Thrush is a common infection that most women have some time in their lives and is not caused by a lack of personal hygiene.

Thrush is caused by a yeast (fungus) called candida which may live harmlessly in the vagina without you even noticing it. However, the natural pH balance that keeps candida under control can be upset by many factors such as hormonal changes (menstruation, contraceptive pill, pregnancy menopause), poor health, antibiotics, perfumed soaps, bath additives and tight clothing.

If the natural pH balance is altered the level of yeast increases and can develop into a thrush infection causing any of the following symptoms: persistent burning, itching around the vagina and vulva, redness, swelling and soreness of the tissues of the vagina and vulva and a whitish, odourless discharge from the vagina.

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

You should see your doctor before using Canesten Pessary if you are aged under 16 or over 60 years

How to use Canesten Pessary:
The applicator should be used to insert the pessary into the vagina preferably before going to sleep at night for convenient and comfortable treatment

• Remove the applicator from the packaging. Pull out the plunger until it stops.
• Remove the pessary from the blister pack and place firmly into the applicator.
• 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 to about 1cm
• Carefully put the applicator as deep as is comfortable into the vagina (this is easiest when lying on your back with your knees bent up).
• Holding the applicator in place, slowly press the plunger until it stops so that the pessary is deposited into the vagina.

• Remove the applicator
• Dispose of the applicator in a safe place, out of the reach of children
• The applicator cannot be flushed down the toilet

Since the pessary dissolves in the vagina, it may be helpful to wear a panty liner because it is quite common to notice a slight white residue (chalky) after using the pessary. This does not mean that the treatment has not worked.

• The symptoms of thrush should disappear within three days of treatment.
• If no improvement is seen after seven days, you must tell your doctor.

• The Canesten Pessary should be used in the vagina only
• Do not put the pessary in your mouth or swallow it. If the pessary is swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.

As with other creams and pessaries, this product may reduce the effectiveness of rubber contraceptives, such as condoms or diaphragms, when used together. Consequently, you should use alternative precautions for at least five days after using this product.

Canesten Pessary contains: 500mg of the active ingredient Clotrimazole

Other ingredients are: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, lactic acid, maize starch, povidone, calcium lactate pentahydrate, magnesium stearate, colloidal anhydrous silica and hypromellose.

Clotrimazole is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of infections such as thrush

When not to use Canesten Pessary:
Do not use the pessary if you have previously had an allergic reaction to the active ingredient, clotrimazole. If you are unsure about this, ask your doctor.

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

• irregular vaginal bleeding
• abnormal vaginal bleeding or a blood-stained discharge
• ulcers, blisters or sores of the vagina or vulva
• lower abdominal pain
• pain or difficulty in passing urine
• fever or chills
• feeling sick or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• a foul smelling discharge from the vagina

This is because Canesten Pessary may not be the right treatment for you.

If you are unsure whether you have thrush, check with your doctor before using Canesten Pessary

Special precautions:

• If you are pregnant or are trying for a baby, tell your doctor before using Canesten Pessary. If you have informed your doctor already, follow his/her instructions carefully.
• During pregnancy, extra care should be taken when using the applicator.

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

• you have had more than two infections of thrush in the last six months
• you or your partner have ever had a sexually transmitted disease
• you are aged under 16 or over 60 years
• you have ever had an allergic reaction to Canesten or any other vaginal antifungal products

As with other creams and pessaries, this product may reduce the effectiveness of rubber contraceptives, such as condoms or diaphragms, when used together. Consequently, you should use alternative precautions for at least five days after using this product.

Side-effects: Rarely, you may experience mild burning or irritation immediately after you insert the pessary.

Canesten Pessary may cause other side effects or allergic reactions in some people. The side effects are very similar to the symptoms of thrush. If the redness, burning, pain, itching, rash or swelling get worse, see your doctor as soon as possible.

As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the pessary. If you are allergic a reaction will occur soon after you start using it. You may have a local reaction similar to those described above, or very rarely a generalised allergic reaction which may appear as nausea, faintness, facial swelling, low blood pressure, diarrhoea and shortness of breath.

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, discuss this with your doctor.

Thrush is a common infection that mast women suffer from at some time in their lives and is not caused by lack of personal hygiene.

How to avoid future recurrences:

• wear cotton knickers, and loose clothing
• wash daily
• after going to the toilet, wipe yourself from the front to back as a thrush infection may be transferred from the bowel
• change your sanitary protection regularly
• try to avoid wearing tights, nylon knickers and close fitting jeans
• try to avoid washing with perfumed soaps or using vaginal deodorants
• do not wash hard with sponges or flannels and avoid hot baths with strong perfumed oils.