Canesten bifonazole once daily cream (Bifonazole)

How does it work?

Canesten bifonazole once daily cream contains the active ingredient bifonazole, which is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat athlete's foot, which is a skin condition caused by infection with fungi.

Bifonazole kills the fungi that are causing the infection by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol causes holes to appear in the fungal cell membrane.

The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As bifonazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.

What is it used for?

• Athlete's foot (tinea pedis).

If you are not sure if you have athlete's foot you should get advice from your doctor or pharmacist before using this cream.

How do I use it?

• Wash and dry the feet thoroughly before applying the cream.
• The cream should be applied thinly to the affected areas of the feet once a day, preferably at night before going to bed. Rub the cream in gently.
• Wash your hands after rubbing in the cream to avoid spreading the infection.
• You should use the cream every day for two to three weeks to make sure the infection is fully treated.
• If your symptoms don't start to improve within seven days of starting to use the medicine, or get worse, you should get advice from your pharmacist.

Warning!

• This preparation is for external use on the skin only. It must not be taken by mouth.
• Take care to avoid getting the cream in your eyes or mouth.
• You should not use this cream to treat other fungal infections, such as vaginal thrush or nappy rash.

Not to be used in

• People who are allergic to other imidazole antifungal medicines, eg ketoconazole, fluconazole, clotrimazole.
• Treatment of nappy rash in infants.
• Treatment of vaginal thrush.
• Treatment of nail or scalp infections.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• If you are pregnant of breastfeeding you should get medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Allergic inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis).
• Burning sensation.
• Skin redness or irritation.
• Skin peeling or dryness.
• Skin itching, blistering or rash.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not known to affect other medicines.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain bifonazole as the active ingredient.