Home Medication and medical testsAntifungals Gine-Canestén cream: what it is for and how to apply it

Gine-Canestén cream: what it is for and how to apply it

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Gine-Canestén cream is an antifungal and, as such, is used to treat fungal infections. Canestén is nothing more than the commercial name of Clotrimazole, the active principle, which helps treat fungi, yeasts and some bacteria. One of the most common fungi is Candida and affects both men and women in the genital area, but to a greater extent the latter, causing Candidiasis.

The Candidiasis tends to be common in summer or when the woman has low defenses, but can occur at any time and stage. It is one of the most common infections for which this antifungal medicine is used. In this FastlyHealarticle we will explain everything about Gine-Canestén cream: what it is for and how to apply it .

Gine-Canestén cream: what is it for?

Canesten or Clotrimazole eliminates infections caused by fungi and is indicated mainly to treat uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis .

Candidiasis is an infection of the skin and mucous membranes, in the vulvovaginal case of the mucous membranes, caused by the Candida fungus . They usually occur in people with low defenses such as diabetics or AIDS patients, although at any time we have low defenses they can appear. They are more common in women and appear a lot in the summer season since the use of wet swimsuits or not having dried properly can lead to the appearance of fungi. Also, pregnant women are more prone.

Some medications can cause infections because they unbalance the vaginal bacterial flora. In addition, the use of certain gels or soaps can alter the pH and destabilize vaginal microorganisms.

It is a very contagious infection and therefore can be spread through sexual intercourse . This is why many men with Candida have been infected by women who had it, although this is not always the case. In the case of men, Gine-Canestén is not usually used, which is specifically indicated in women for its intravaginal use , but they do use Clotrimazole (Canestén) to treat it in the same way, although topically.

When a woman suffers from Candidiasis, she usually has symptoms such as itching in the genital area, excessive and even smelly discharge, pain or redness in the area or even burning or burning when urinating. Before any symptoms it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Clotrimazole works by removing the top layer of the fungus so that it has no defense and thus dies. In the plasma membrane is cholesterol, which helps, together with other lipids and compounds, to regulate the entry and exit of substances into the cell. In fungi, however, instead of cholesterol there is another compound called ergosterol also acting in the same way, protecting the fungus. The Clotrimazole does is attack the ergosterol biosynthesis and prevents causing the membrane to become vulnerable and not as strong. Therefore it removes its defense layer and in this way the fungus can die and be eliminated.

In some cases, this same medicine is also used in another format, known as Gine-Canestén ovules, for genital insertion.

How to apply Gine-Canestén cream

Gine-Canestén cream is indicated in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age . In children and babies it is advisable to go to the pediatrician to find another treatment.

It is a very easy to use medicine. Despite being a cream, it is not used topically like the rest, but rather vaginally .

The dose is usually one application of approximately 5 grams per day for 3 days in a row. In each box there are applicators that make it much easier to use. It is an elongated plastic tube that you must insert into the vaginal cavity . You must take the applicator and fill it with cream in the way indicated on the package insert. Once the tube is full, you must insert it as deep as you can into the vagina. To help you, you can lie down with your legs slightly bent. The load must enter the vagina deeply.

There are usually several applicators in each box so you should not reuse them . In fact, this may not cure the infection well.

While you are using this medicine it is important not to use:

  • Tampons
  • Intravaginal douches
  • Spermicides
  • Vaginal products

However, it is not recommended to use it during the menstruation period so if you are in this stage it is better to wait until it has finished. If it is the opposite and you have to start menstruation shortly, keep this in mind to wait or start using Gine-Canestén cream immediately. The treatment must have finished before the period. If you have any questions regarding this, consult your doctor.

With the application of three days the infection should disappear completely, if at the end the symptoms repeat or after two months your defenses have lowered, it is important to see a doctor.

Warnings and cautions

You should not use Gine-Canestén cream if you have an allergy to clotrimazole , imidazoles in general or any of the components. In addition, it is important to consult with your doctor if you have a low defense organism, for example if you are being treated with oral corticosteroids or have HIV infection , AIDS or diabetes .

If symptoms worsen or persist during treatment or after three days, it is important to see a doctor. If, for example, the flow becomes profuse or smelly again or even if there is bleeding. In addition, high fever, pain in the back or abdomen, lower back pain or nausea should not be common and should be consulted.

If you have never had an allergy to this treatment or other similar ones and a reaction appears, you should stop the treatment immediately and go to the doctor to treat it and impose a new treatment.

It is important to know that during Candida infection unprotected sexual intercourse should be avoided , however, using Gine-Canestén cream can reduce the efficacy and safety of latex products such as diaphragms or condoms. It is a temporary effect during treatment, but it is advisable in this case not to have sexual intercourse to avoid both contagion and possible pregnancy.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Gine-Canestén cream: what it is for and how to apply it , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .

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