Home / Medicine / Candacort

Candacort

Candacort pairs clotrimazole with hydrocortisone — two ingredients in distinct pharmacological categories — within a single topical preparation aimed at superficial skin conditions where fungal infection and inflammation occur together. Combination products of this kind formalise a common dermatological pairing into one tube, simplifying treatment when a clinician determines that both components are appropriate.

Clotrimazole belongs to the topical antifungal category, used in the management of cutaneous fungal infections including athlete's foot. Hydrocortisone is a topical corticosteroid, used to address the inflammation, redness, and irritation that often accompany fungal involvement in skin folds — the pattern recognised as intertriginous dermatitis. Bringing the two together in one cream is intended for situations where the infection and the inflammatory reaction are clinically linked rather than separate problems.

Candacort is registered in six countries, all clustered across Southeast Asia: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The footprint reflects a regional rather than global distribution, and travellers or expatriates familiar with Candacort from this part of the world will generally not find the same brand in Europe, the Americas, or Africa. Clotrimazole and hydrocortisone, however, are individually available in essentially every regulated pharmacy market worldwide, and antifungal-plus-corticosteroid combination creams are a recognised category internationally under various brand names.

Combination topical products vary across countries more than single-ingredient ones — in their ingredient ratios, in their classification as prescription or pharmacy-only, and in the specific indications recognised by regulators. Anyone using Candacort or seeking a local equivalent abroad should treat the choice of product as a clinical question for a healthcare provider or pharmacist familiar with the regional formulary.

Countries
Hong Kong Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Singapore Vietnam
Diseases
Infection Infection,Skin Athlete's foot Intertriginous dermatitis
Ingredients
Clotrimazol Hydrocortisone

Drugs with the same active ingredients

Aflorix Clotri-q Clotrimazol ilab Clotrimazol raymos Clotrix Dr. scholl's Empecid Empecid gyno Eximius Fiasole Fungocop Fungocop (clotrimazol,undecylenic acid) Ikolan Klomazole Lotricomb Medifungol Micoclin Micomazol Micomazol b Micomazol deo

Overdose

No reports are available on cases of intoxication with Candacort. No risk of acute intoxication is seen as it is unlikely to occur following a single dermal application of an overdose (application over a large area under conditions favourable to absorption) or inadvertent oral ingestion. There is no specific antidote.

However, in the event of accidental oral ingestion, gastric lavage is rarely required and should be considered only if a life-threatening amount of clotrimazole has been ingested within the preceding hour or if clinical symptoms of overdose become apparent (e.g. dizziness, nausea or vomiting). Gastric lavage should be carried out only if the airway can be protected adequately.

Contraindications

Candacort is contra-indicated in the following cases:

-

- Use on broken skin.

- Use on large areas of skin.

- Use for periods of longer than seven days.

- To treat cold sores or acne.

- Use on the face, eyes, mouth or mucous membranes.

- Children under 10 years of age, unless prescribed by a doctor.

- Pregnancy and lactation, unless prescribed by a doctor.

- Use on the ano-genital area, unless prescribed by a doctor.

- To treat ringworm, unless prescribed by a doctor.

- To treat secondarily infected skin conditions, unless prescribed by a doctor.

- Diseases affecting the skin (e.g. acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, lues, tuberculosis, etc.)

- Any untreated bacterial skin diseases

- Viral skin diseases (e.g. herpes simplex, chicken pox, shingles etc.)

- Dermal vaccination reactions.

Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

Undesirable effects

As the listed undesirable effects are based on spontaneous reports, assigning accurate frequency of occurrence for each is not possible

Immune system disorders: allergic reaction (syncope, hypotension, dyspnea, urticaria).

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: blisters, discomfort/pain, oedema, erythema, irritation, peeling/exfoliation, pruritus, rash, stinging/burning

After use on large areas (more than 10% of the body surface) and/or after long-term use (longer than 2-4 weeks) or use under occlusive dressings, local skin alterations such as skin atrophy, teleangiectasias, hypertrichosis, striations, hypopigmentation, secondary infection and acneiform symptoms may occur.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Preclinical safety data

Clotrimazole:

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on studies of repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Clotrimazole was not teratogenic in reproductive toxicity studies in mice, rats and rabbits. In rats high oral doses were associated with maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity, reduced fetal weights and decreased pup survival.

In rats clotrimazole and/or its metabolites were secreted into milk at levels higher than in plasma by a factor of 10 to 20 at 4 hrs after administration, followed by a decline to a factor of 0.4 by 24 hrs.

Hydrocortisone:

As an adrenocortical hormone, hydrocortisone is classified as relatively non-toxic for topical use. Teratogenic effects of high doses of corticosteroids including cleft palate formation, growth retardation, and fetal mortality were observed after systemic use in animal studies.

Clotrimazole plus hydrocortisone:

Non-clinical data based on acute and repeated dose toxicity studies reveal no special hazard to humans. In a 90-day repeated dose dermal study, effects were observed only at exposures considered sufficiently in excess of the maximum human exposure indicating little relevance to clinical use.

Therapeutic indications

Candacort is indicated for the treatment of the following skin infections where co-existing symptoms of inflammation, e.g. itching, require rapid relief:

(i) Athlete's foot.

(ii) Candidal intertrigo.

Pharmacotherapeutic group

Antifungals for topical use - imidazole and triazole derivatives, combinations.

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antifungals for topical use - imidazole and triazole derivatives, combinations.

ATC code: D01A C20.

Candacort is a combination of clotrimazole and hydrocortisone acetate.

Mechanism of action

Clotrimazole:

Clotrimazole acts against fungi by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis. Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis leads to structural and functional impairment of the fungal cytoplasmic membrane.

Clotrimazole has a broad antimycotic spectrum of action in vitro and in vivo, which includes dermatophytes, yeasts, moulds, etc.

Under appropriate test conditions, the MIC values for these types of fungi are in the region of less than 0.062-8.0 µg/ml substrate. The mode of action of clotrimazole is fungistatic or fungicidal depending on the concentration of clotrimazole at the site of infection. In vitro activity is limited to proliferating fungal elements; fungal spores are only slightly sensitive.

In addition to its antimycotic action, clotrimazole also acts on gram-positive microorganisms (Streptococci / Staphylococci / Gardnerella vaginalis), and gram-negative microorganisms (Bacteroides).

In vitro clotrimazole inhibits the multiplication of Corynebacteria and gram-positive cocci - with the exception of Enterococci - in concentrations of 0.5-10 µg/ml substrate.

Primary resistant variants of sensitive fungal species are very rare; the development of secondary resistance by sensitive fungi has so far only been observed in very isolated cases under therapeutic conditions.

Hydrocortisone acetate:

Hydrocortisone acetate is a weak corticosteroid with both glucocorticoid and to a lesser extent mineralocorticoid activity. As the active ingredient in a topical cream it exerts anti-phlogistic, antipruriginous, antiexudative and antiallergic effects.

Hydrocortisone acetate, like other topically applied glucocorticoids, exerts an anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, immunosuppressive, antimitotic (antiproliferative), antipruriginous and vasoconstrictive effect on skin. Thus, in addition to the elimination of inflammation and pruritis, a normalisation of keratinisation, inhibition of excess fibroblast activity and epidermopoiesis, degradation of pathological metabolic products and inhibition of acantholysis are achieved. However, this is not a curative therapy but rather a symptomatic treatment.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Clotrimazole

Pharmacokinetic investigations after dermal application have shown that clotrimazole is minimally absorbed from intact or inflamed skin into the human blood circulation. The resulting peak serum concentrations of clotrimazole were below the detection limit of 0.001 µg/ml, suggesting that clotrimazole applied topically is unlikely to lead to measurable systemic effects or side effects.

Hydrocortisone acetate

Dermal absorption of hydrocortisone acetate depends on the thickness and condition of the skin. In healthy skin no systemic effects of corticoids have been observed after local application.

However, in the case of inflamed or damaged skin, cutaneous absorption may be increased depending on the site of application, use of occlusive dressings, the degree of skin damage, and size of the treated area. Systemic effects can not be ruled out under such conditions.

An increase in the skin temperature or moisture content, e.g. in skin folds or under an occlusive dressing, also promotes absorption. In infants and small children the epidermal "barrier" is still poorly developed, which facilitates transcutaneous uptake of drugs. The occurrence of systemic effects depends partly on the dose and, to a much greater extent, on the duration of treatment.

More than 90% of the hydrocortisone acetate absorbed is bound to plasma proteins. Hydrocortisone acetate is metabolised in the liver and tissues, and the metabolites are excreted with urine. The biological half-life is approximately 100 minutes.

No relevant absorption of hydrocortisone acetate is expected after its use for a short period on limited skin inflamed areas.

Name of the medicinal product

Candacort

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Clotrimazol; Hydrocortisone

Special warnings and precautions for use

Because of its corticosteroid content, Candacort should not be applied:

- To large areas (more than 5 - 10% of the body surface).

- In long term continuous therapy.

- Under occlusive dressings (such as nappies and bandages).

These restrictions apply particularly in children, where increased systemic absorption may occur resulting in adrenocortical suppression.

This product contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Candacort has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Dosage (Posology) and method of administration

Posology:

Adults, elderly and children aged 10 years and over:

Candacort should be thinly and evenly applied to the affected area twice daily and rubbed in gently. The maximum period of treatment is seven days.

A total daily dose of 10 mg cream per kg body weight should not be exceeded. For an adult weighing 50 kg the maximum daily dose is 500 mg cream which equals approximately 2 cm of cream to be divided into 2 applications per day.

Treatment duration:

If the acute symptoms have subsided after about 7 days but treatment is still required, this may be carried out with the corticoid-free preparation intended for this purpose.

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What conditions does Candacort treat?

Candacort is used in the management of fungal and inflammatory skin conditions, including athlete's foot and intertriginous dermatitis — the kind of irritation that develops in skin folds where moisture and friction allow fungal overgrowth alongside inflammation. The combination of an antifungal and a topical corticosteroid is aimed at addressing both the infection and the associated skin inflammation. The structured indication block on this page lists each registered use in detail.

What is Candacort made of?

Candacort contains two active ingredients: clotrimazole, a topical antifungal, and hydrocortisone, a topical corticosteroid. Both molecules are widely available worldwide as single-ingredient preparations under a range of brand names, and the pairing of an antifungal with a mild corticosteroid is a well-established formulation pattern for inflamed superficial fungal skin conditions.

In how many countries is Candacort available?

Candacort is registered in six countries, all clustered across Southeast Asia and the wider region: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Outside this regional footprint the specific Candacort brand is generally not encountered, although clotrimazole and hydrocortisone — individually and in combination — are sold under numerous other brand names internationally. A local pharmacist can confirm what is on the shelf in your country.

Are there other medications with the same active ingredients as Candacort?

Clotrimazole and hydrocortisone are each available worldwide under many brand names, and combination creams pairing a topical antifungal with a mild corticosteroid are a recognised category in dermatology, sold under various names in different markets. Specific products differ in their formulation, strength ratios, and regulatory status. To identify a regional equivalent, search the active ingredients on Pill2Trip or ask a pharmacist locally.

Should I consult a doctor before taking Candacort?

Yes. Combination creams that pair an antifungal with a topical corticosteroid are not interchangeable with plain antifungal or plain corticosteroid preparations, and their suitability depends on the specific skin condition being treated. Regulatory status also varies between countries — in some markets these products are prescription-only, in others available through a pharmacist consultation. A healthcare provider or dermatologist is the right person to confirm whether this combination fits the situation.

Candacort

Available in 6 countries