Canesten Thrush Duo

What is Canesten Thrush Duo?

Canesten Thrush Duo combines two proven thrush treatments — fluconazole, in a capsule, and clotrimazole as a topical cream that you apply directly to areas of skin that are irritated and sore.

Fluconazole and clotrimazole belong to a group of medications called antifungals. The capsule is swallowed whole, and should break down the fungus within two days of taking it. Clotrimazole, which is the active ingredient in the cream, is applied thinly to your vulva and the surrounding area, where symptoms such as redness, soreness and inflammation are causing you discomfort.

The 2% cream can also be applied to your sexual partner’s penis, in the rare instances where thrush is passed person-to-person. Symptoms of thrush for men include redness under the foreskin, an unpleasant discharge, burning and irritation^[1]

The signs of an infection in men are usually similar to fungal infections for women. If you think your vaginal thrush has spread to your partner, they can use the same antifungal medication to treat it. If there’s anything about treating vaginal thrush you’re unsure of, you can ask your clinician.

How does Canesten Thrush Duo work?

Combining Canesten medications creates a two-pronged approach to clearing your vaginal thrush.

Both drugs have proven effectiveness in treating yeast infections (thrush) when used correctly. Fluconazole was introduced in the 1970s and is used often to treat lots of different fungal infections, such as cryptococcal meningitis, which is caused by a fungus called cryptococcus. It can also treat oral thrush and is sometimes used for candidal urinary tract infections (UTIs).^[2]

Clotrimazole is also widely used for vaginal health. Studies have shown that when it is used to treat candidiasis, resistance to the medication is rare.^[3]
This means it has a high success rate when prescribed to treat yeast infections. The 2% external cream that comes with this combined treatment package is used to soothe symptoms as well as treat the cause of your fungal infection, so might not be enough to clear an infection if used on its own.

What doses of Canesten Thrush Duo are there?

The oral capsules come in a single dose of 150mg, and the external cream comes in a 10mg or 20mg tube, with a clotrimazole strength of 2% w/w. A small amount can be applied to the skin around the vagina 2 or 3 times a day.

One fluconazole capsule should usually be enough to clear your infection internally, as it’s a strong antifungal and starts to take effect immediately. It works by making holes in the cell membranes of the fungus. Your symptoms should settle down as the infection clears, but if they come back, your clinician might suggest taking more capsules.

Combining the oral capsules with a topical cream is useful because you can treat your vaginal thrush (with the capsule) while getting immediate relief from bothersome symptoms with the external cream. The capsule treats your thrush internally by breaking down the fungus, while the topical cream works externally and soothes itching and burning, and other skin problems brought on by the infection. Treatment with the cream should be continued until your symptoms disappear. The external cream alone won’t clear the thrush inside your vagina, which is why it’s prescribed alongside a treatment that does.

How to use Canesten Thrush Duo

You can take your Canesten Oral Thrush Capsule with water at any time of the day. It should begin working right away, and can clear fungal infections in as little as two days.

For the cream, you’ll need to first pierce the tube. You can do this by inverting the cap and pressing it into the tube to break the seal. To apply the cream, squeeze a small amount onto your finger and gently smooth it into the entrance of your vagina. This can be done 2 or 3 times a day until your symptoms start to disappear.

How long does it take Canesten Thrush Duo to work?

Vaginal thrush symptoms should start to clear within two days of starting your Canesten treatment. A single dose of fluconazole has been shown to be more effective than using topical clotrimazole alone to clear fungal infections,^[1]which is why a combination of the two is usually recommended. Essentially, the capsule does the heavy lifting of breaking down the fungus while the external cream is used to soothe symptoms directly, throughout the day.

If your infection shows little sign of clearing after a week, let you clinician know so they can recommend the next steps. Because some women get recurrent bouts of thrush, it’s important to let a health professional know if you have more than two infections in six months.

How will I know if Canesten Thrush Duo has worked?

Thrush can cause changes in both the appearance and feel of your vagina. It’s common to experience symptoms such as redness, itching and burning. Sometimes, thrush can cause your vagina to produce a discharge that seems thicker than normal.

These symptoms should start to ease as soon as your medication starts working. The external cream can be used to soothe irritation and swelling on the skin of your vagina and its surrounding areas. Feeling less irritation and burning, and your vaginal discharge returning to normal are all signs the infection is beginning to clear.

A healthy diet and regular exercise can boost your immune system, and help prevent another yeast infection developing down the line.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Canesten Thrush Duo

Because the Canesten Thrush Oral Capsule is a single dose, you won’t need to take more than one at a time. This means it’s unlikely you’ll take any more than you need to at any one time.

If you’ve used antifungal products before and had an allergic reaction to them, let your clinician know before starting any new treatment. In the rare event that any of the external cream is swallowed, you should seek urgent medical attention.