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Canesten®
Canesten inhibits fungal cell membrane synthesis by blocking ergosterol production through inhibition of lanosterol 14α-demethylase.
Canesten inhibits fungal cell membrane synthesis by blocking ergosterol production through inhibition of lanosterol 14α-demethylase. Used for Vaginal candidiasis, Dermatophyte infections (tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris), Cutaneous candidiasis.
At a glance
| Generic name | Canesten® |
|---|---|
| Also known as | clotrimazole |
| Sponsor | Ache Laboratorios Farmaceuticos S.A. |
| Drug class | Imidazole antifungal |
| Target | Lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Canesten contains clotrimazole, an imidazole antifungal that disrupts the synthesis of ergosterol, a critical component of fungal cell membranes. By inhibiting the cytochrome P450-dependent enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase, clotrimazole causes accumulation of toxic sterol precursors and membrane instability, leading to fungal cell death. This mechanism is selective for fungal cells over human cells due to differences in sterol composition.
Approved indications
- Vaginal candidiasis
- Dermatophyte infections (tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris)
- Cutaneous candidiasis
- Pityriasis versicolor
Common side effects
- Vulvovaginal irritation or burning
- Local erythema or pruritus
- Vaginal discharge
- Contact dermatitis
Key clinical trials
- Safety and Efficacy of Intralesional 0.5% Triamcinolone Acetonide in 0.2% Fluconazole Solution vs 0.1% Topical Mometasone Furoate With 2% Miconazole Nitrate Cream in the Treatment of Chronic Paronychia: An Intraindividual Randomized Controlled Trial. (PHASE3)
- OptiLink HF Study: Optimization of Heart Failure Management Using Medtronic OptiVol Fluid Status Monitoring and CareLink Network (PHASE4)
- Use of Maqui Berry Extract in Treating Oral Candidiasis in Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Systemically Healthy Persons (PHASE4)
- Detection of Bloodstream Pathogens in Hematological Malignancies
- Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Miconazole Nitrate + Domiphen Bromide Vaginal Cream in the Treatment of Subjects With Acute Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (PHASE2)
- Safety and Efficacy of Quadriderme® in the Treatment of Impetiginous Eczema (Study P05134AM4) (PHASE4)
- Effectiveness Study of Ketoconazole and Betamethasone to Treat Fungal Infection and Dermatophytosis (PHASE3)
- A Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of EcoNail™ in the Treatment of Fungus Infections of the Great Toenail (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Canesten® CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Canesten® updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Ache Laboratorios Farmaceuticos S.A. portfolio CI