Canesten Solution

Summary of Product Characteristics Updated 07-Jul-2022 | Bayer plc

1. Name of the medicinal product

Canesten Solution

2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Clotrimazole 1.0% w/v.

For excipients, see 6.1.

3. Pharmaceutical form

A clear solution.

4. Clinical particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications

Canesten Solution should be used to treat all fungal skin infections due to dermatophytes, yeasts, moulds and other fungi.

It is particularly suitable for use on hairy skin and in fungal infections of the outer ear (otitis externa) and middle ear (otomycoses).

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Canesten Solution should be thinly and evenly applied to the affected area 2 or 3 times a day and gently rubbed in. A few drops are enough to treat an area of about the size of the hand. To prevent relapse, treatment should be continued for at least two weeks after the disappearance of all signs of infection.

There is no separate dosage schedule for the elderly or the young.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to clotrimazole or macrogol 400.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

None known.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

There have been reports of a heat reaction when Canesten Solution is used concomitantly with Sofradex drops in the ear.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy:

There is a limited amount of data from the use of clotrimazole in pregnant women. Animal studies with clotrimazole have shown reproductive toxicity at high oral doses (see section 5.3). At the low systemic exposures of clotrimazole following topical treatment, harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity are not predicted.

Clotrimazole can be used during pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a physician or midwife.

Lactation:

There are no data on the excretion of clotrimazole into human milk. However, systemic absorption is minimal after administration and is unlikely to lead to systemic effects. Clotrimazole may be used during lactation. If used topically on the nipple area, wash breasts before feeding child.

Fertility:

No human studies of the effects of clotrimazole on fertility have been performed; however, animal studies have not demonstrated any effects of the drug on fertility.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Clotrimazole has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

As the listed undesirable effects are based on spontaneous reports, assigning accurate frequency of occurrence for each is not possible.

Immune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, hypersensitivity.

Vascular disorders: syncope, hypotension.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnoea.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: blister, dermatitis contact, erythema, paraesthesia, skin exfoliation, pruritus, rash, urticaria, stinging skin/burning sensation skin.

General disorders and administration site conditions: application site irritation, application site reaction, oedema, pain.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

No risk of acute intoxication is seen as it is unlikely to occur following a single dermal application of an overdose (application over a large area under conditions favourable to absorption) or inadvertent oral ingestion. There is no specific antidote.

However, in the event of accidental oral ingestion, routine measures such as gastric lavage should be performed only if clinical symptoms of overdose become apparent (e.g. dizziness, nausea or vomiting). Gastric lavage should be carried out only if the airway can be protected adequately.

5. Pharmacological properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antifungals for topical use – imidazole and triazole derivatives

ATC Code: D01A C01

Mechanism of Action

Clotrimazole acts against fungi by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis. Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis leads to structural and functional impairment of the fungal cytoplasmic membrane.

Clotrimazole has a broad antimycotic spectrum of action in vitro and in vivo, which includes dermatophytes, yeasts, moulds, etc.

Under appropriate test conditions, the MIC values for these types of fungi are in the region of less than 0.062-8.0 µ g/ml substrate. The mode of action of clotrimazole is primarily fungistatic or fungicidal depending on the concentration of clotrimazole at the site of infection. In vitro activity is limited to proliferating fungal elements; fungal spores are only slightly sensitive.

In addition to its antimycotic action, clotrimazole also acts on gram-positive microorganisms (Streptococci / Staphylococci / Gardnerella vaginalis), and gram-negative microorganisms (Bacteroides).

In vitro clotrimazole inhibits the multiplication of Corynebacteria and gram-positive cocci - with the exception of Enterococci - in concentrations of 0.5-10 µ g/ml substrate.

Primarily resistant variants of sensitive fungal species are very rare; the development of secondary resistance by sensitive fungi has so far only been observed in very isolated cases under therapeutic conditions.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Pharmacokinetic investigations after dermal application have shown that clotrimazole is minimally absorbed from the intact or inflamed skin into the human blood circulation. The resulting peak serum concentrations of clotrimazole were below the detection limit of 0.001 µ g/ml, suggesting that clotrimazole applied topically is unlikely to lead to measurable systemic effects or side effects.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on studies of repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity.

Clotrimazole was not teratogenic in reproductive toxicity studies in mice, rats and rabbits. In rats high oral doses were associated with maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity, reduced fetal weights and decreased pup survival.

In rats clotrimazole and/or its metabolites were secreted into milk at levels higher than in plasma by a factor of 10 to 20 at 4 hrs after administration, followed by a decline to a factor of 0.4 by 24 hrs.

6. Pharmaceutical particulars
6.1 List of excipients

Macrogol 400.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

24 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25° C.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

HDPE bottles with dropper insert and screw-on cap.

Pack size: 20 ml

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements.

7. Marketing authorisation holder

Bayer plc

400 South Oak Way

Reading

RG2 6AD

8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 00010/0082

9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

Date of the first authorisation:

12 June 1981

Date of last renewal of authorisation:

28 May 2002

10. Date of revision of the text

07/06/2022

Company Contact Details
Bayer plc
Address

400 South Oak Way, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 6AD

Telephone

+44 (0)118 206 3000

WWW

http://www.bayer.co.uk

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