Candid V Gel

Candid V Gel is a clotrimazole 2% w/w antifungal gel for vaginal thrush (vaginal yeast infection), made in India by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. It comes in a 30 g tube. We sell it as single tubes and in packs of 3, 6 and 12 tubes, from $6.25 a tube in the 12 pack before shipping.

Three points before you buy. First, self-treatment of thrush only makes sense if a doctor has diagnosed thrush before and you recognise the same symptoms; a first episode, pregnancy, infections that keep coming back and some age groups need a doctor first (details below). Second, the sources disagree on how this gel is used: Glenmark's own leaflet says it is for the skin around the entrance of the vagina only, while some Indian pharmacy listings say to insert it with an applicator. Third, clotrimazole thrush treatments are sold without a prescription in the US, UK, Australia and Canada, with a leaflet written for that country. In the US, pharmacies pay about $6.58 for a 21 g tube of the 3 day cream (our arithmetic from the NADAC price of $0.31354 per gram), against $35.00 for one tube from us with shipping, and ours takes 7 to 14 business days to arrive.

Candid V Gel at a glance

Price per tube

Prices below are as of October 2026; the pack selector shows the current price.

Every pack is under the $149 free shipping line, so each order of one pack carries $25 shipping. The larger packs are cheaper per tube before shipping too. Per gram, that is $0.33 for a single tube and $0.21 in the 12 pack before shipping, or $1.17 and $0.28 with shipping (our arithmetic).

How much you need. Glenmark's leaflet gives no amount per application, and the listings that describe an applicator do not say how much it holds, so we cannot tell you how many uses a tube gives. For comparison, US 3 day clotrimazole 2% vaginal cream is sold as one 21 g tube per course, and UK Canesten Thrush External Cream 2% comes in 10 g and 20 g tubes. A 30 g tube is therefore larger than the single packs sold for one episode in those countries. The 6 and 12 tube packs are far more than one episode needs. Thrush that keeps coming back needs a doctor, not a stock of tubes at home (see below).

Inside the vagina or on the skin outside? What the sources say

This is the main open question about Candid V Gel, and we want you to see it before you order.

• Glenmark's leaflet (published by the Rwanda FDA, second issue April 2023) says: "Candid V Gel is for external use only." The gel "should be thinly and evenly applied to the area around the entrance of the vagina, 2 or 3 times a day", used at the same time as an internal treatment, and continued until symptoms clear. It says the gel relieves irritation of the vulva caused by thrush and does not treat the infection inside the vagina. The same leaflet lists an applicator in the carton. Its wording closely follows the UK label for Canesten Thrush External Cream 2%, which is used the same way (our comparison).
• Tata 1mg says "This medicine is for external use only" and "Check the label for directions before use", although it calls the product a vaginal gel.
• Truemeds says to insert one applicatorful into the vagina once daily, preferably at bedtime, and PharmEasy says to insert the gel "using the provided applicator". Neither gives a number of days.

We have not seen the leaflet inside our current stock. So: read the leaflet in your carton and follow it. If it says external use only, Candid V Gel treats the itchy skin outside and you also need an internal treatment, such as a clotrimazole vaginal tablet (for example Canesten V6) or a vaginal cream, for the infection inside. Do not guess at an internal dose from another product. If you are unsure, ask a pharmacist before you use it.

Is self-treatment right for you?

Clotrimazole vaginal creams are among the treatments the US CDC recommends for thrush, but the symptoms (itching, soreness, discharge) overlap with other infections that need different treatment. The labels and health services draw the same line: use it yourself only if thrush has been diagnosed before and you know the symptoms.

• The US label for clotrimazole 2% vaginal cream says: "Do not use if you have never had a vaginal yeast infection diagnosed by a doctor".
• The NHS says you can buy thrush treatment from pharmacies "if you've had thrush diagnosed in the past and you know the symptoms".

See a doctor first if any of these apply:

• It is the first time you have had these symptoms (US label, UK label 4.4, NHS).
• You are pregnant or might be (US label: "ask a health professional before use"; UK label 4.4: medical advice must be sought). Pregnancy is covered in more detail below.
• You are under 16 or over 60 (UK label 4.4 and Glenmark's leaflet; the NHS gives the same ages). The US label says children under 12 should ask a doctor.
• Thrush keeps coming back. The definitions differ: the UK label says more than two infections in the last six months; the US label says "often (such as once a month or 3 in 6 months)"; the NHS says more than 4 times in 12 months; the US CDC says recurrent thrush is usually defined as three or more episodes in under a year. The US label adds that frequent infections can mean "you could be pregnant or have a serious underlying medical cause for your symptoms, including diabetes or a weakened immune system".
• You have diabetes, HIV or a weakened immune system (NHS), or you may have been exposed to HIV (US label).
• You or your partner have had a sexually transmitted infection (UK label 4.4).
• You have lower abdominal, back or shoulder pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or a foul-smelling discharge (US label: "You may have a more serious condition"). The US brochure adds that a yellow or green or foul-smelling discharge may mean a different infection; bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, for example, are treated with other medicines.
• You have irregular or abnormal vaginal bleeding, a blood-stained discharge, ulcers, blisters or sores, pain passing urine, or diarrhoea (UK label 4.4 says the product should not be used with these symptoms and medical advice should be sought).

The CDC also says that anyone whose symptoms persist after an over-the-counter treatment, or come back within 2 months, should be examined and tested.

Compared with what you can buy locally

NADAC is the average price US pharmacies pay, not the price on the shelf; the figures are per gram in the NADAC file effective 21 October 2026, and the per-tube amounts are our arithmetic. Before shipping, our gel costs about the same as or less than the US 3 day cream per gram, but one tube from us costs $35.00 with shipping and takes 7 to 14 business days. In the US, the UK, Australia and Canada, a clotrimazole thrush treatment with a leaflet written for that country is usually available from a pharmacy without a prescription the same day:

• US: clotrimazole 2% 3 day and 1% 7 day vaginal creams are sold over the counter.
• UK: Canesten Thrush External Cream 2% is a pharmacy (P) medicine, and Canesten Thrush Combi (10% internal cream plus 2% external cream) is on general sale (GSL) (emc).
• Australia: Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment 3 Day 2% vaginal cream is Schedule 3, Pharmacist Only Medicine (healthdirect).
• Canada: Canesten 3 Day Internal Cream 2% (DIN 02150905) and other clotrimazole vaginal products are non-prescription (Health Canada Drug Product Database).

For an infection that needs treatment now, a local pharmacy is the better choice for most readers (our view).

How to use Candid V Gel

1. Read the leaflet in your carton first and follow it, because the sources disagree on whether the gel goes inside the vagina (see above).
2. Before the first use, pierce the tube seal (Glenmark's leaflet). Wash your hands before and after each use.
3. If your leaflet says external use only (as Glenmark's leaflet does): apply a thin, even layer to the area around the entrance of the vagina 2 or 3 times a day and smooth it in gently. Use an internal thrush treatment at the same time. Keep going until the symptoms clear.
4. If your leaflet tells you to insert it with the applicator, follow its amount and number of nights exactly. Do not take the number of nights from another product; the US 3 day schedule belongs to a cream with a measured 100 mg dose per applicatorful.
5. Do not have vaginal sex during treatment, and do not use tampons, douches, spermicides or other vaginal products (US label; UK Combi label 4.4).
6. Clotrimazole can damage latex condoms and diaphragms. The US label says they "may be damaged and fail to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)". The UK label and Glenmark's leaflet say to use other precautions for at least five days after using it.
7. Periods. The labels differ. The US 3 day cream's educational brochure says to use it "even during your menstrual period". The UK Combi label (4.4) says to avoid treatment during a period, because the cream can be washed out, and to finish before the period starts. Glenmark's leaflet does not mention periods. Several Indian listings for Candid V Gel (PharmEasy, Truemeds, MediBuddy) say to avoid using it during menstruation.
8. Wear cotton underwear, dry the area well after washing, wipe from front to back and try not to scratch (US label brochure).
9. A partner with itching, redness or discomfort of the penis should see a doctor (US label brochure). Glenmark's leaflet and the UK external cream label also allow the gel or cream on the end of the penis 2 or 3 times a day for up to two weeks.

When to stop and see a doctor. The US label says to stop and ask a doctor if symptoms do not get better in 3 days, last more than 7 days, or you get a rash or hives, abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or a foul-smelling discharge. Glenmark's leaflet says to see a doctor if symptoms do not improve within seven days of finishing treatment; the UK external cream label (4.2) says to see a doctor if, after treating the internal infection, symptoms do not improve within seven days.

Side effects

There is no side effect table with percentages for vaginal or vulval clotrimazole in the labels we used. The US label says a "mild increase in vaginal burning, itching or irritation may occur". The UK Canesten Thrush External Cream label (4.8) lists these from reports after marketing, with the frequency not known:

• skin: itching, rash, hives, redness, blisters, peeling, burning or stinging, pins and needles, contact dermatitis
• at the application site: irritation, swelling, pain or other reactions
• allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and swelling of the face or throat (angioedema); fainting, low blood pressure and shortness of breath are also listed

Glenmark's leaflet lists the same kinds of local reactions. Tata 1mg, Apollo Pharmacy and PharmEasy also list stomach, abdominal or pelvic pain among side effects. The UK label adds that the external cream contains cetostearyl alcohol (contact dermatitis) and benzyl alcohol (allergic reactions and mild local irritation); Glenmark's leaflet lists benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and propylene glycol among the gel's ingredients. If irritation is troublesome, stop and speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

When to get urgent help

• Signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, widespread rash or hives, or feeling faint. Glenmark's leaflet says to stop using the gel and seek medical help; for breathing or swallowing problems, call emergency services (our advice).
• Fever, chills, lower abdominal pain, back or shoulder pain, nausea or vomiting with vaginal symptoms. The US label says you may have a more serious condition; see a doctor the same day (our advice).
• Abdominal pain or bleeding when you are or could be pregnant: get medical advice straight away (our advice).
• Someone has swallowed the gel. The US label says "get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away" (US 1-800-222-1222; Australia 13 11 26; numbers added by us), and Glenmark's leaflet says to contact a doctor immediately or go to an emergency department. The UK label (4.9) says acute poisoning is unlikely after swallowing.

Who should not use Candid V Gel

Never use it if you are allergic to clotrimazole or any ingredient of the gel (UK label 4.3; Glenmark's leaflet).

Do not use it without seeing a doctor first if:

• you have never had thrush diagnosed by a doctor (US label: "Do not use")
• you have any of the symptoms the UK label lists as reasons not to use it: irregular or abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood-stained discharge, ulcers, blisters or sores, lower abdominal pain or pain passing urine, fever or chills, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, or foul-smelling discharge (UK label 4.4)
• you have had a reaction to other imidazole antifungals, such as miconazole, or to other vaginal antifungal products (UK label 4.4: medical advice must be sought)
• you are under 16 or over 60, or the infections keep coming back (see above)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The UK labels say clotrimazole "can be used during pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a physician or midwife", and the UK Combi label adds that in pregnancy treatment should be with a pessary, because it can be inserted without an applicator. The CDC says only topical azole treatments, used for 7 days, are recommended in pregnancy. Glenmark's leaflet says the gel can be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding after telling your doctor or midwife. The UK labels say clotrimazole may be used while breastfeeding. The NHS says to see a GP if you have thrush and are breastfeeding. Do not self-treat in pregnancy: see your doctor or midwife (our advice).

Tacrolimus or sirolimus. The UK Combi label (4.5) says vaginal clotrimazole with oral tacrolimus or sirolimus might raise their blood levels, so close monitoring is needed. If you take either medicine, ask your transplant team before using any vaginal clotrimazole.

Prescription and legal status

Candid V Gel is sold on prescription in India: Truemeds says "Prescription required for this medicine", Apollo Pharmacy calls it a prescription drug, MediBuddy marks it Rx, while Tata 1mg and PharmEasy show only their general prescription-check notice. In the countries we ship to, clotrimazole thrush treatments do not need a prescription: they are over the counter in the US, pharmacy (P) or general sale (GSL) medicines in the UK depending on the product, Schedule 3 Pharmacist Only Medicine in Australia (healthdirect, 3 day 2% cream), and non-prescription in Canada (Health Canada Drug Product Database). Candid V Gel itself is not registered with the FDA, MHRA, TGA or Health Canada. In the US, the FDA says personal importation of unapproved medicines is illegal in most circumstances. Check the rules where you live.

Buying genuine Candid V Gel

The MHRA warns: "Any medicine not authorised for sale in the UK can be unsafe or ineffective and there is no way of knowing what is in them or the negative health effects they can have." It advises UK buyers: "Only use UK-registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies displaying the official green cross logo". That warning covers this Indian pack, which is not authorised in the UK. When your order arrives, check that the carton and tube name Glenmark and Candid V, show clotrimazole 2% w/w, a batch number and an expiry date, that the tube seal is intact, and whether a leaflet and applicator are included. These checks cannot prove a tube is genuine, because counterfeiters copy packaging. If a tube causes unusual symptoms, stop using it, seek medical advice, and report it to your medicines regulator (the MHRA Yellow Card scheme in the UK, FDA MedWatch in the US, the TGA in Australia or Health Canada) as well as to us.

Delivery

We ship Candid V Gel to the US, UK, Australia and Canada in plain packaging with tracking. Standard delivery takes 7 to 14 business days. Shipping costs a flat $25 on orders under $149 and is free from $149. Do not wait for a delivery to treat symptoms you have now; a local pharmacy can usually help the same day (our advice). See our shipping page and refund policy.

Related products and guides

• Canesten V6: clotrimazole 100 mg vaginal tablets, an internal treatment.
• Flagyl 400mg (metronidazole): a prescription medicine whose UK label covers bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, infections that can look like thrush but need different treatment after testing. See also our Flagyl (metronidazole) guide.
• Is it safe to buy medicine online?

Sources

• Candid V Gel patient leaflet, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited (manufacturing site Nashik, India), second issue April 2023, published by the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority. Rwanda FDA
• Indian listings for Candid V Gel 30 g (composition, maker, pack, prescription status, storage, directions): Tata 1mg, Truemeds, PharmEasy, Apollo Pharmacy and MediBuddy, checked 21 October 2026.
• Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream USP (2%), 3 day, US Drug Facts and educational brochure, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (NDA021143), DailyMed setid 325a40b0-3e17-47c6-8988-d5396ca5d53f, version 5, effective 2 July 2025. DailyMed
• Canesten Thrush External Cream 2% w/w, UK SmPC, Bayer plc, PL 0010/0077, text revised 12 July 2021, sections 4.1 to 4.9 and 6.5; legal category P on emc. emc
• Canesten Thrush Combi Internal & External Creams 10% w/w / 2% w/w, UK SmPC, Bayer plc, PL 0010/0301, text revised 16 August 2021 (emc updated 12 July 2022), sections 4.1 to 4.6; legal category GSL on emc. emc
• NHS. Thrush in men and women, page last reviewed 28 July 2023. NHS
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines 2021: Vulvovaginal candidiasis, last reviewed 22 July 2021. CDC
• healthdirect Australia. Canesten Clotrimazole Thrush Treatment 3 Day (Schedule 3), checked 21 October 2026. healthdirect
• Health Canada Drug Product Database: clotrimazole vaginal products, including Canesten 3 Day Internal Cream (DIN 02150905), non-prescription; searched 21 October 2026. Health Canada
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) 2026: clotrimazole-3 2% vaginal cream $0.31354 per gram (NDC 24385011009, 21 g tube) and clotrimazole 1% vaginal cream $0.09045 per gram, both effective 21 October 2026. data.medicaid.gov
• MHRA. 20 million illegal erectile dysfunction pills seized as MHRA warns against risky online buys, 13 February 2026. GOV.UK
• US Food and Drug Administration. Personal Importation. FDA

This page is for information and is not medical advice. If this is your first episode of vaginal symptoms, you are pregnant, or the symptoms keep coming back, see a doctor before using any thrush treatment.