Kansen cream, vaginal cream and vaginal tablets (clotrimazole) – for fungal skin infections and vaginal candidiasis

Kansen is the name of medicines with the active substance clotrimazole, an antifungal for local treatment of fungal infections. Three forms are authorised in Serbia: Kansen cream 10 mg/g for the skin, Kansen vaginal cream 20 mg/g and Kansen vaginal tablets 200 mg.

The skin cream is used in fungal skin infections (e.g. "athlete's foot", skin folds, groin, pityriasis versicolor) and in candidal vulvitis and balanitis, while the vaginal forms are used in candidal vaginitis – vaginal infection with Candida fungi. All three forms are supplied without prescription. Dosing differs by form – do not transfer the instructions from one form to another.

What is Kansen used for and how should it be used?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Kansen used for?

• Cream 10 mg/g: fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, moulds and other fungi – infections of the feet ("athlete's foot"), hands, trunk, limbs and skin folds, groin, pityriasis versicolor, cutaneous candidiasis; in women candidal vulvitis, in men candidal balanitis.
• Vaginal cream 20 mg/g: candidal vaginitis – vaginal infection with Candida fungi.
• Vaginal tablets 200 mg: candidal vaginitis, in adults and children over 16 years (for ages 12–16 consult a doctor).

How is Kansen used?

• Continue skin cream treatment for the prescribed time even after symptoms disappear; before applying to the foot, wash and dry the skin well, especially between the toes.
• Insert the vaginal forms lying on your back with knees bent; use a new applicator each time for the vaginal cream.
• Use of vaginal forms during menstruation is not recommended – finish treatment before the period starts.
• If the labia are also affected, the skin cream is needed in addition to the vaginal form (combined treatment); a partner with symptoms (itching, inflammation) should also be treated.
• If symptoms do not clear within 7 days, worsen or return within 2 months, see a doctor.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents: the vaginal cream is intended for adults and children over 12 (for ages 12–16 with a doctor's advice); vaginal tablets for adults and children over 16 (for ages 12–16 with a doctor's advice).
• Pregnant women: all forms can be used, vaginal forms only under medical supervision; in pregnancy vaginal tablets are preferred as they are inserted without an applicator.
• Breast-feeding women: may use the medicine (vaginal forms under medical supervision); if the cream is applied near the nipple, wash the breasts before feeding.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• hypersensitivity to clotrimazole or any of the excipients (the cream and vaginal cream also contain benzyl alcohol).

Warnings and precautions

• avoid contact with the eyes; do not swallow;
• the medicine may reduce the effectiveness and safety of latex products (condoms, diaphragms) – temporarily, during treatment;
• during vaginal treatment do not use tampons, vaginal douches, spermicides or other vaginal products; avoid sexual intercourse because the infection can be passed to the partner;
• the cream and vaginal cream contain cetyl and stearyl alcohol (may cause local skin reactions) and benzyl alcohol (mild irritation, possible allergic reaction);
• vaginal tablets dissolve with moisture – in vaginal dryness undissolved pieces may remain; in that case ask about the vaginal cream.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

• Skin cream: no interactions with other medicines are known.
• Vaginal forms: concomitant oral tacrolimus or sirolimus (medicines against transplant rejection) may increase their blood levels – monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: skin cream as directed by the doctor; vaginal cream and vaginal tablets only under medical supervision, with preference for vaginal tablets (no applicator).
• Breast-feeding: the medicine can be used (vaginal forms under medical supervision).

Driving and using machines

• The medicine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Possible side effects

• Frequency cannot be reliably estimated (post-marketing reports):
• All three forms: angioedema, anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity; low blood pressure, brief loss of consciousness; difficulty breathing; rash, hives; irritation, swelling and pain at the application site.
• Skin cream: blisters, contact dermatitis, redness, pins and needles, peeling of the skin, itching, stinging and burning of the skin.
• Vaginal forms: vulvovaginal itching, burning, redness, discomfort and pain, vaginal peeling, bleeding and discharge; abdominal pain, nausea.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Accidental swallowing of the cream: contact a doctor or emergency service immediately; if the cream gets into the eyes or mouth, rinse with water and see a doctor.
• Missed dose: apply the skin cream as soon as you remember; use a vaginal dose missed in the evening the next morning. Do not use a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: do not stop as soon as symptoms disappear – complete 3 consecutive days of vaginal treatment and treat with the skin cream for the prescribed time, as the infection may return.

Related information

For additional care and support with vaginal candidiasis and intimate care, see also the category Products for fungal discomfort (vaginal candida) – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Cream 10 mg/g: 1 g contains 10 mg clotrimazole; excipients: sorbitan stearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol, purified water; 20 g aluminium tube.
• Vaginal cream 20 mg/g: 1 g contains 20 mg clotrimazole; same excipients as the cream; 20 g tube with 3 applicators.
• Vaginal tablets 200 mg: each tablet contains 200 mg clotrimazole; excipients: lactose monohydrate; maize starch; adipic acid; colloidal anhydrous silica; polysorbate 80; sodium hydrogen carbonate; povidone K-30; magnesium stearate; Alu/Alu blister with 3 tablets.
• Marketing authorisation holder for the cream and vaginal cream: Actavis d.o.o. Belgrade, Đorđa Stanojevića 12 (manufacturer Hemofarm AD Vršac); for the vaginal tablets: Zdravlje AD Leskovac, Vlajkova 199 (holder and manufacturer).
• Authorisation numbers: cream 000083641 2024 and vaginal cream 000083677 2024 (of 28.04.2025); vaginal tablets 000014553 2024 (of 02.12.2024).

Storage

• Store all forms below 25 °C, in the original package, to protect from light and moisture.
• Cream: shelf life 5 years, 30 days after first opening. Vaginal cream: shelf life 5 years, 3 days after first opening. Vaginal tablets: shelf life 4 years.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

Which form of Kansen should I choose?

The 10 mg/g cream is for fungal infections of the skin, groin, feet and external genitals. For infection inside the vagina the 20 mg/g vaginal cream or 200 mg vaginal tablets are used, one dose on three consecutive evenings.

How long should the cream be used for athlete's foot?

The cream is applied 2–3 times daily for 3–4 weeks, even after symptoms disappear, to prevent the infection from returning.

Can I use Kansen vaginal tablets in pregnancy?

Yes, but only under medical supervision. In pregnancy vaginal tablets are preferred because they are inserted without an applicator.

Does Kansen affect condoms?

Yes. When used in the genital area, the medicine may temporarily reduce the effectiveness and safety of latex condoms and diaphragms, so other protection is needed during treatment.

Sources

• ALIMS – Package leaflet Kansen cream 10 mg/g (PIL, in Serbian)
• ALIMS – SmPC Kansen cream 10 mg/g (in Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet Kansen vaginal cream 20 mg/g (PIL, in Serbian)
• ALIMS – SmPC Kansen vaginal cream 20 mg/g (in Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet Kansen vaginal tablets 200 mg (PIL, in Serbian)
• ALIMS – SmPC Kansen vaginal tablets 200 mg (in Serbian)

Date sources were checked: 25.10.2026.