Oral anti-thrush capsules treat the infection and are often chosen by customers because they are more convenient as they are single dose and less messy than the other formats. Capsules will treat the infection but do not soothe the irritation or discomfort therefore they should be used in combination with a topical treatment.

There are two active ingredients licensed for the oral treatment of vaginal thrush, fluconazole and itraconazole, but the latter is only available on prescription.

Fluconazole should only be recommended to customers between the ages of 16 and 60. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not take fluconazole. Fluconazole capsules can also be sold to the partners of women suffering from thrush who are also suffering symptoms, described as candidal balanitis.

Customers should be referred to the pharmacist if they have tried fluconazole and their symptoms have not gone within seven days. Customers whose symptoms return after seven days can take a second course of fluconazole but they should not exceed two treatments within any six month period.

Oral antifungal capsules can cause a number of side effects which customers should be made aware of before they purchase a treatment:

• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Flatulence
• Bloating

Fluconazole can interfere with other medicines that customers may be taking; any customer taking other medicines should be referred to the pharmacist.