Canesten Oral Capsule 150mg

Canesten Thrush Oral Capsule contains one fluconazole 150mg capsule, a full course of treatment for vaginal thrush.

  • Just one capsule to swallow, with or without food
  • No pessary or internal cream needed
  • Symptoms usually clear within 2 days
  • For adults aged 16 to 60
  • Pharmacy medicine, supplied after a short questionnaire

£11.99

Canesten Oral Capsule 150mg

Canesten Thrush Oral Capsule contains fluconazole 150mg, a single-dose antifungal tablet that treats vaginal thrush from the inside. One capsule is a full course of treatment, with no pessary or internal cream needed. Buy Canesten Oral online from our GPhC-registered UK pharmacy after a short questionnaire.

What is Canesten Oral?

Canesten Oral is a Pharmacy (P) medicine made by Bayer. It contains the same active ingredient as our generic fluconazole 150mg capsule. Some people prefer a capsule to a pessary because it is quick, clean and simple to take.

What is Canesten Oral used for?

  • vaginal thrush (candidal vaginitis), including repeat episodes
  • thrush of the penis (candidal balanitis) in a male partner of someone with vaginal thrush

It is licensed for adults aged 16 to 60. Only use it if a doctor has diagnosed thrush before and you recognise the symptoms: itching, soreness and a thick white discharge with little or no smell. It does not treat oral thrush in the mouth, bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted infections. Read more on our thrush treatment page.

How to take Canesten Oral

  • Swallow the one capsule whole with a glass of water.
  • Take it with or without food, at any time of day.
  • One capsule is the full course; do not take a second capsule unless thrush comes back after 7 days.

How long does Canesten Oral take to work?

Symptoms usually clear within 2 days. If there is no improvement after 7 days, see your doctor. If you want quick relief from external itching while the capsule works, Canesten Thrush Duo includes the same capsule plus a clotrimazole 2% external cream.

Side effects of Canesten Oral

Common side effects include headache, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, feeling or being sick, and rash. It may make you dizzy, so do not drive if affected.

Get urgent medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing), severe blistering or peeling of the skin, a widespread rash with fever, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools, a seizure, or a change in your heartbeat.

Who should not take Canesten Oral?

Do not take it, and see a doctor, if you have abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding, blood-stained discharge, sores or blisters, lower tummy pain, pain when passing urine, a fever or chills, sickness or diarrhoea, or a foul-smelling discharge.

See a doctor first if you:

  • are unsure it is thrush, or it is your first episode
  • have had more than two episodes of thrush in six months
  • or your partner have ever had a sexually transmitted infection
  • are under 16 or over 60
  • are pregnant, could be pregnant, are trying for a baby or are breastfeeding
  • have liver or kidney disease, heart rhythm problems or another long-term illness

Do not take Canesten Oral with astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine or erythromycin. Fluconazole also interacts with blood thinners such as warfarin, some statins, amiodarone, some diabetes and epilepsy medicines, rifampicin, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, methadone and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen. Tell our pharmacist about everything you take.

Buy Canesten Oral online

Each pack contains one fluconazole 150mg capsule. Complete a quick confidential questionnaire at checkout and our pharmacist reviews it before dispatch by Royal Mail Tracked 24. Prefer a local treatment? See the Canesten Thrush Combi pessary and cream or browse all thrush treatments.

Always read the label and the patient information leaflet before use. If symptoms do not improve, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Medically reviewed by Hassan Khan, MPharm, Independent Prescriber — Superintendent Pharmacist, Bury Healthcare Online (GPhC-registered pharmacy 1126145). Last reviewed: October 2026.

Canesten Oral FAQs

Can I buy Canesten Oral over the counter?
Yes. Canesten Thrush Oral Capsule is a Pharmacy (P) medicine, so no prescription is needed. You complete a short questionnaire when you order and our pharmacist checks it is suitable before dispatch.
How long does Canesten Oral take to work?
Symptoms usually clear within 2 days of taking the capsule. If there is no improvement after 7 days, see your doctor.
Can I take Canesten Oral and a pessary together?
One Canesten Oral capsule is a full course of treatment on its own, so you do not normally need a pessary as well. If you want something for external itching while the capsule works, an external clotrimazole cream or Canesten Thrush Duo is a better choice. Ask our pharmacist if you are unsure.
How often can I take Canesten Oral?
Take one capsule per episode of thrush. If the infection comes back after 7 days you can take another capsule. If you have more than two episodes of thrush in six months, see your doctor.
Can men take Canesten Oral?
Canesten Oral is licensed to treat a male partner who has thrush of the penis (candidal balanitis) linked to their partner having vaginal thrush. Speak to a doctor first if your partner does not have thrush, or if you have sores, an unusual discharge, a smell or pain when passing urine.
Is Canesten Oral safe in pregnancy or when breastfeeding?
Do not take it if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are trying for a baby or are breastfeeding, unless a doctor advises it. Fluconazole in early pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Speak to your doctor or midwife about a suitable treatment.
Does Canesten Oral affect the contraceptive pill?
Studies suggest fluconazole is unlikely to stop the combined contraceptive pill from working. If you are unsure, or take any other medicines, ask our pharmacist.
Can I take Canesten Oral with antibiotics?
Thrush often follows a course of antibiotics, and most antibiotics are fine. Do not take Canesten Oral with erythromycin, and tell the pharmacist about rifampicin, rifabutin or clarithromycin, as these can interact with fluconazole.
Does Canesten Oral treat oral thrush?
No. Canesten Oral is named for the way it is taken, by mouth. It treats vaginal thrush, not thrush in the mouth.

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