About all

Fluconazole diflucan side effects. Fluconazole (Diflucan): Comprehensive Guide to Side Effects, Uses, and Safety

by alexxlab

What are the common and serious side effects of fluconazole. How does fluconazole work to treat fungal infections. What precautions should be taken when using fluconazole. Is fluconazole safe for long-term use. How effective is fluconazole in treating various fungal infections.

Содержание

Understanding Fluconazole: An Antifungal Medication

Fluconazole, commonly known by its brand name Diflucan, is a widely prescribed antifungal medication used to treat various fungal infections. This versatile drug belongs to the azole class of antifungals and works by inhibiting the growth of fungi, effectively combating infections in different parts of the body.

How Does Fluconazole Work?

Fluconazole operates by targeting the cell membranes of fungi. It inhibits the production of ergosterol, a crucial component of fungal cell membranes. By disrupting this process, fluconazole weakens the fungal cell structure, ultimately leading to the death of the fungal organism.

Common Uses of Fluconazole

Fluconazole is prescribed for a variety of fungal infections. Its versatility makes it a go-to option for healthcare providers when treating:

  • Vaginal yeast infections
  • Oral thrush
  • Fungal infections of the throat
  • Cryptococcal meningitis
  • Certain systemic fungal infections

Additionally, fluconazole is used prophylactically in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those who have undergone bone marrow transplants, to prevent fungal infections from developing.

Effectiveness in Treating Fungal Infections

How effective is fluconazole in treating various fungal infections? Studies have shown that fluconazole demonstrates high efficacy against Candida species, which are responsible for most yeast infections. For vaginal candidiasis, a single dose of fluconazole has been found to be as effective as topical antifungal treatments, with cure rates ranging from 80% to 90%.

In cases of oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush), fluconazole has shown clinical cure rates of up to 87% after 14 days of treatment. For more severe systemic infections like cryptococcal meningitis, fluconazole has proven to be an effective maintenance therapy, significantly reducing relapse rates.

Fluconazole Dosage and Administration

The dosage of fluconazole varies depending on the type and severity of the infection being treated. It’s crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and administration instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

Common Dosage Forms

Fluconazole is available in several forms:

  • Oral tablets (50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg)
  • Oral suspension
  • Intravenous solution

The most common form for outpatient use is the oral tablet. For vaginal yeast infections, a single 150 mg dose is often prescribed. For other infections, the dosage may range from 50 mg to 400 mg daily, depending on the condition being treated.

Common Side Effects of Fluconazole

While fluconazole is generally well-tolerated, it can cause side effects in some individuals. Understanding these potential effects can help patients better manage their treatment.

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

The most frequently reported side effects of fluconazole are gastrointestinal in nature. These include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Heartburn

Are these side effects severe? In most cases, these gastrointestinal effects are mild to moderate and often resolve on their own as the body adjusts to the medication. However, if these symptoms persist or become severe, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider.

Central Nervous System Effects

Some patients may experience central nervous system-related side effects, such as:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Changes in taste perception

These effects are typically transient and resolve without intervention. However, if dizziness persists or worsens, it’s advisable to seek medical attention, as it could potentially increase the risk of falls or accidents.

Serious Side Effects and Precautions

While rare, fluconazole can cause more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Being aware of these potential complications is crucial for patient safety.

Liver-Related Side Effects

Fluconazole has been associated with liver toxicity in some cases. Symptoms of liver problems may include:

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Dark urine
  • Persistent nausea or vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Unusual fatigue

Can liver damage from fluconazole be reversed? In many cases, if detected early and the medication is discontinued, liver function can return to normal. However, severe cases may lead to permanent liver damage, emphasizing the importance of monitoring liver function during treatment, especially for those on long-term therapy.

Cardiac Effects

Fluconazole has been linked to rare cases of serious heart rhythm abnormalities, including:

  • QT interval prolongation
  • Torsades de pointes

These cardiac effects are more likely to occur in patients with pre-existing heart conditions or those taking other medications that affect heart rhythm. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat, palpitations, fainting, or shortness of breath.

Allergic Reactions

As with any medication, fluconazole can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include:

  • Skin rash or hives
  • Itching
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Difficulty breathing

Allergic reactions require immediate medical attention. Patients with known hypersensitivity to azole antifungals should not take fluconazole.

Drug Interactions and Contraindications

Fluconazole can interact with various medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Understanding these interactions is crucial for safe and effective treatment.

Common Drug Interactions

Fluconazole may interact with several types of medications, including:

  • Warfarin and other anticoagulants
  • Certain antidiabetic medications
  • Some antidepressants
  • Certain anticonvulsants
  • Statins used to lower cholesterol

How do these interactions occur? Fluconazole can inhibit certain liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing other drugs. This can lead to increased blood levels of these medications, potentially enhancing their effects or side effects.

Contraindications

Fluconazole is contraindicated in certain situations:

  • Known hypersensitivity to fluconazole or other azole antifungals
  • Concomitant use with terfenadine in patients receiving fluconazole doses of 400 mg or higher
  • Concomitant administration of cisapride, due to the risk of serious cardiac events

Patients with liver disease or impaired kidney function may require dose adjustments or closer monitoring when taking fluconazole.

Long-Term Use of Fluconazole: Benefits and Risks

While fluconazole is often prescribed for short-term use, some conditions may require extended treatment. Understanding the implications of long-term fluconazole use is essential for both healthcare providers and patients.

Benefits of Long-Term Use

Long-term fluconazole therapy can be beneficial in certain scenarios:

  • Preventing recurrent vaginal yeast infections in women with chronic candidiasis
  • Prophylaxis against fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy
  • Maintenance therapy for cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-positive patients

In these cases, fluconazole can significantly improve quality of life and reduce the risk of serious fungal infections.

Risks Associated with Long-Term Use

However, prolonged use of fluconazole is not without risks:

  • Increased risk of liver toxicity
  • Potential for developing drug-resistant fungal strains
  • Higher likelihood of drug interactions, especially in patients on multiple medications
  • Rare cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with long-term use

Is long-term fluconazole use safe? While it can be safe and effective when properly monitored, long-term use requires careful consideration of the benefits and risks for each individual patient. Regular liver function tests and monitoring for potential side effects are crucial for those on extended fluconazole therapy.

Managing Side Effects and Improving Tolerability

For patients experiencing side effects from fluconazole, there are several strategies that can help improve tolerability and manage symptoms.

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

To minimize gastrointestinal discomfort:

  • Take fluconazole with food to reduce nausea and stomach upset
  • Stay well-hydrated to help alleviate diarrhea
  • Consider taking the medication before bedtime if drowsiness occurs

If gastrointestinal symptoms persist or become severe, consult your healthcare provider. They may recommend adjusting the dosage or switching to a different antifungal medication.

Skin Reactions

For mild skin reactions:

  • Use mild, fragrance-free soaps and moisturizers
  • Avoid hot showers or baths, which can exacerbate skin irritation
  • Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for itching, if recommended by your doctor

Severe skin reactions, such as extensive rash or blistering, require immediate medical attention.

Monitoring and Follow-Up

Regular monitoring is essential for patients on fluconazole, especially those on long-term therapy:

  • Periodic liver function tests to check for any signs of liver toxicity
  • Regular blood tests to monitor kidney function and electrolyte levels
  • Follow-up appointments to assess the effectiveness of treatment and discuss any side effects

How often should these tests be performed? The frequency of monitoring depends on the individual patient’s risk factors and the duration of treatment. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate monitoring schedule based on your specific situation.

Alternative Treatment Options

For patients who cannot tolerate fluconazole or in cases where it is contraindicated, several alternative antifungal treatments are available.

Topical Antifungals

For localized fungal infections, topical antifungals may be an effective alternative:

  • Clotrimazole
  • Miconazole
  • Nystatin

These medications are available in various forms, including creams, ointments, and suppositories, and are often used for vaginal yeast infections or superficial skin infections.

Other Systemic Antifungals

For systemic fungal infections, alternative oral or intravenous antifungals may be considered:

  • Itraconazole
  • Voriconazole
  • Posaconazole
  • Amphotericin B (for severe systemic infections)

The choice of alternative treatment depends on the specific fungal infection, the patient’s overall health, and potential drug interactions.

Are these alternatives as effective as fluconazole? The efficacy of alternative treatments can vary depending on the specific infection and the patient’s individual circumstances. In some cases, these alternatives may be equally or more effective than fluconazole, while in others, they may be less effective or have different side effect profiles.

Patient Education and Counseling

Proper patient education is crucial for ensuring the safe and effective use of fluconazole. Healthcare providers should discuss several key points with patients before initiating treatment.

Important Information for Patients

  • Dosage instructions and the importance of completing the full course of treatment
  • Potential side effects and when to seek medical attention
  • Drug interactions, including over-the-counter medications and supplements
  • The importance of informing healthcare providers about all current medications
  • Lifestyle modifications that may help prevent recurrent fungal infections

How can patients ensure they’re using fluconazole correctly? Patients should be encouraged to ask questions and clarify any uncertainties about their treatment. They should also be advised to keep a list of all their medications and bring it to every healthcare appointment.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Considerations

Special considerations apply for pregnant or breastfeeding women:

  • Fluconazole should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus
  • High-dose, long-term fluconazole use during the first trimester has been associated with birth defects
  • Fluconazole is present in breast milk, and caution should be exercised when used by nursing mothers

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should discuss the risks and benefits of fluconazole use with their healthcare provider to make an informed decision.

By providing comprehensive education and counseling, healthcare providers can help ensure that patients use fluconazole safely and effectively, maximizing its benefits while minimizing potential risks.

Fluconazole oral tablet side effects: How to manage them

Fluconazole (Diflucan) is a generic prescription medication used to treat certain fungal infections in some adults and children ages 6 months and older. Specifically, fluconazole is used to treat the following infections:

  • vaginal yeast infections
  • other yeast infections, such as in the mouth or throat
  • meningitis

In certain situations, fluconazole is also used to help prevent yeast infections in people who have had bone marrow transplants. This is because their immune system may be weakened, which can make them more likely to develop an infection.

Fluconazole comes as an oral tablet. Fluconazole also comes in other forms, including an injectable and an oral suspension. However, this article does not cover them.

Fluconazole is typically a short-term treatment option for people with fungal infections. However, if you’re taking fluconazole to help prevent a yeast infection, your doctor may recommend taking the drug long term.

As with other drugs, fluconazole can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects (also called adverse effects). For a general overview of fluconazole, including details about its uses, refer to this article. Your doctor can also tell you more about fluconazole.

Fluconazole can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took fluconazole in clinical trials:

  • headache
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea*
  • feeling dizzy*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Fluconazole: Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with fluconazole. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to fluconazole’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with fluconazole include:

  • headache
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • heartburn
  • changes in the way your food tastes
  • feeling dizzy*
  • nausea*
  • skin rash*
  • mild allergic reaction*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking fluconazole and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Fluconazole: Side effect specifics” below.

Fluconazole may cause serious side effects. Though serious side effects weren’t common, they can occur. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to fluconazole’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking fluconazole, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Serious skin reaction. Symptoms can include:
    • severe rash
    • fever
    • peeling of the skin
    • soreness of the mouth or throat
  • Heart rhythm problems, such as long QT syndrome or torsades de pointes. Symptoms can include:
    • dizziness
    • heart palpitations
    • fainting
  • Adrenal problems. Symptoms can include:
    • nausea or vomiting
    • weight loss
    • fatigue
  • Liver-related side effects*
  • Severe allergic reaction.*

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Fluconazole: Side effect specifics” section below.

It’s possible that the tablet strength of fluconazole that you take may affect the side effects that you experience. People taking a higher strength of fluconazole may be at an increased risk of side effects. This is because when you take a higher dose of medication, your body is exposed to more of the drug. And being exposed to more of the drug increases your risk of side effects occurring.

If you have questions about side effects that you may experience from fluconazole, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

Fluconazole may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Could I have long-term side effects from taking fluconazole?

Although rare, it’s possible to develop long-term side effects from taking fluconazole. Long-term side effects that have been reported with fluconazole include:

  • liver problems
  • heart rhythm problems

If you’re concerned about developing long-term side effects from taking fluconazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In many cases, this drug is used for only a short time, so you may be at a lower risk of side effects in this case. Your doctor can help determine the best treatment plan for you.

What are the most common side effects of taking one dose of fluconazole 150 mg?

Doctors commonly prescribe a fluconazole 150-milligram (mg) tablet as a single dose to treat a vaginal yeast infection. In clinical trials for this dose and use, the most commonly reported side effects were headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. If they occur, these side effects are typically mild to moderate in severity. Other side effects are possible, though they aren’t common.

If you are taking one dose of fluconazole and have questions about side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects that fluconazole may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for fluconazole.

Skin rash

It’s possible to develop a skin rash during your treatment with fluconazole. Although a skin rash was not one of the most common side effects reported in clinical trials, it may occur. Skin rashes may occur more often in older adults (adults ages 65 years and older) compared with younger people.

In some cases, a skin rash can be serious or even life threatening. Symptoms of a serious skin rash can include:

  • fever
  • peeling of the skin
  • soreness of the mouth or throat
  • fatigue
  • blistering of the skin
What you can do

In some cases, a skin rash can also be a symptom of an allergic reaction. So your doctor may want to make sure that you’re not having an allergic reaction or a serious skin reaction to the drug.

If you develop a skin rash during your treatment with fluconazole, talk with your doctor. They can determine how serious your rash may be and the best way to treat it.

Sometimes, they may recommend that you stop taking fluconazole and try a different medication for your condition. Other times, they may monitor your skin rash to be sure that it doesn’t worsen.

Nausea

You may experience nausea during your treatment with fluconazole. Nausea was one of the most common side effects reported in clinical trials of fluconazole.

What you can do

If you experience nausea from taking fluconazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In rare cases, nausea can also be related to other side effects of fluconazole, such as liver or kidney problems.

Your doctor can help determine what may be causing your nausea and the best ways to treat it. In some cases, taking a medication with food may decrease nausea that you experience. Your doctor or pharmacist may also be able to recommend other ways to decrease your nausea.

Feeling dizzy

You may develop dizziness during your treatment with fluconazole. Though dizziness wasn’t a common side effect reported in clinical trials of fluconazole, it can occur.

What you can do

Due to the risk of dizziness, your doctor may recommend that you avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how fluconazole may affect you.

In addition, it’s possible for dizziness to be related to rare, serious heart rhythm changes, such as long QT syndrome, that can occur in people taking fluconazole.

Talk with your doctor if you experience dizziness. They can determine what may be causing your dizziness and the best way to treat it.

Liver-related side effects

It’s possible to develop liver-related side effects from taking fluconazole. Although they were not common in clinical trials of fluconazole, liver side effects are possible.

You should be aware of the symptoms of liver conditions, so that you can contact a doctor right away if you develop any. Symptoms may include:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • jaundice
  • abdominal pain
  • itchy skin
  • dark urine
What you can do

If you develop symptoms of liver problems during your treatment with fluconazole, tell your doctor right away. They can do blood tests to check your liver health.

If you develop liver-related side effects from taking fluconazole, your doctor may recommend that you stop treatment with fluconazole. In many cases, stopping fluconazole can reverse any liver damage that occurred due to the drug. Your doctor can help determine the best treatment plan for you if you develop liver problems.

Diarrhea

You may experience diarrhea from taking fluconazole. In clinical trials, this side effect was slightly more common in children and older adults (adults ages 65 years and older) taking fluconazole. However, it is possible for anyone taking this drug to experience diarrhea.

What you can do

If you develop diarrhea during your treatment with fluconazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to recommend ways to decrease the diarrhea that you experience. For example, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend taking an over-the-counter medication to treat your diarrhea.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, fluconazole can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It isn’t clear how often allergic reaction occurred in the drug’s clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking fluconazole. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take fluconazole. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are known as drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Heart problems. Tell your doctor if you have any heart or heart rhythm conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, before starting treatment with fluconazole. This medication can increase your risk of an irregular heart rhythm. If you already have a heart condition, taking fluconazole may make your condition worse. In this case, your doctor can help determine whether it’s safe for you to take fluconazole.

Kidney problems. The kidneys are important for clearing fluconazole out of your body. In people with kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, your body may take longer to clear this drug than is typical. This increases the risk of side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor about any kidney problems that you have before starting fluconazole. Depending on your kidney function, they may prescribe you a lower dosage of this medication.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to fluconazole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe fluconazole. Taking fluconazole could cause you to have another allergic reaction. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Liver problems. If you have liver problems, tell your doctor before taking fluconazole. This medication may increase your risk of liver problems occurring. It’s possible that fluconazole can make liver conditions that you already have even worse. In this case, your doctor can help determine whether fluconazole may be safe for you.

Alcohol with fluconazole

There aren’t any known interactions between fluconazole and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking fluconazole may increase your risk of side effects from the drug. For example, both alcohol and fluconazole can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and liver problems.

Consuming alcohol and taking fluconazole can increase your risk of side effects. If you’d like to drink alcohol while taking fluconazole, talk with your doctor about alcohol interactions to find out whether it may be safe for you.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking fluconazole

Fluconazole is not safe to take during pregnancy. While the manufacturer of fluconazole recommends that caution be used when taking fluconazole while breastfeeding, most doctors agree that fluconazole is safe to take while breastfeeding.

In clinical trials, congenital anomalies (also known as birth defects) were reported in people who took the drug during pregnancy. Due to this risk, doctors may recommend you use birth control if you can become pregnant and you’re taking fluconazole, especially if you’re taking fluconazole for a long period of time.

Because of this risk, it’s only recommended to take fluconazole during pregnancy to treat serious infections. Your doctor can help determine whether another medication may be a safer treatment option for you during pregnancy.

In addition, fluconazole is known to pass into breast milk, so a child who is breastfed will be exposed to the drug. A small clinical trial showed that children who were breastfed didn’t experience any serious side effects when exposed to the drug.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. You should also talk with them if you’re breastfeeding or considering it. Your doctor can help determine whether another medication may be a safer treatment option for you.

In most cases, side effects of fluconazole are mild. However, it’s possible to experience serious side effects from this drug as well. If you’d like to learn more about fluconazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Referring to the following articles about fluconazole can provide you with additional information:

  • More information about fluconazole. For details about other aspects of fluconazole, refer to this article.
  • Cost. If you’d like to learn about fluconazole and cost, see this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Side effects, uses, dosage, and more

  1. Fluconazole oral tablet is available as both a generic and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Diflucan.
  2. Fluconazole comes as a tablet or suspension you take by mouth. It also comes in an injectable form that can only be given to you by a healthcare professional. (This article discusses the oral tablet form only.)
  3. Fluconazole oral tablet is used to prevent and treat candidiasis, a fungal infection. It’s also used to treat meningitis (infection of the brain or spinal cord, or both).
  • Liver failure warning. This drug may cause you to develop liver failure. Your doctor may check your liver function with blood tests while you take this drug. If you develop liver failure from taking this drug, it’s usually reversible once you stop taking it.
  • Skin rashes warning. This drug can cause a severe rash that can cause death. You should stop taking the drug if you develop any rashes.
  • Irregular heart rhythm warning. This drug can change how your heart beats. This change puts you at risk for a life threatening heart rhythm condition called torsades de pointes. Your risk of heart rhythm problems is higher if you were born with a certain heart rhythm condition, you have a low potassium level, or you take antipsychotic drugs or certain antidepressants.
  • Adrenal gland problems. This drug can cause you to develop adrenal gland problems. Your adrenal gland produces hormones that affect many normal bodily functions. This problem may be reversible after stopping the drug.
  • Fetal harm warning. This drug may cause harm to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor if you can get pregnant. You may need to use birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this drug.

Fluconazole is a prescription drug. It comes as a tablet, a suspension you take by mouth, and an injection that can only be given by a healthcare professional. This article discusses the oral tablet form only.

Fluconazole oral tablet is available as both a generic drug and as the brand-name drug Diflucan.

Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Fluconazole is used to prevent and treat candidiasis. This condition is caused by infection with one of the many types of the fungus Candida. Examples of candidiasis include vaginal yeast infection, as well as oral yeast infection (thrush).

Candidiasis can also cause infections in other parts of your body, including your throat, esophagus, lungs, and blood. People who have had bone marrow transplants may be treated with fluconazole to prevent candidiasis. This is because their immune systems are weakened, which makes them more likely to become infected with a severe form of candidiasis.

Fluconazole is also used to treat meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord) that’s caused by the fungus Cryptococcus.

How it works

Fluconazole belongs to a class of drugs called triazole antifungals. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Fluconazole works by blocking the ability of the fungi Candida and Cryptococcus to reproduce. For people with infections from these fungi, this drug helps to get rid of the infection. For people at higher risk of candidiasis, it helps to prevent infection.

How long it lasts

The effects of fluconazole should last as long as you continue taking the drug. Fluconazole is typically used as a short-term treatment.

Fluconazole typically takes about 6 days to completely leave your body after your last dose. If you stop taking fluconazole, it’s possible to continue experiencing some effects of the drug during this 6-day period. But usually, the drug’s effects end when your treatment ends or soon afterward.

It’s possible for some side effects of fluconazole to last long term, such as heart or liver problems.

If you have questions about how long fluconazole treatment or its effects last, you can talk with your doctor.

As with all medications, the cost of fluconazole can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. You can refer to this article for details about the cost of fluconazole treatment.

You can also refer to the coupons on this page for possible ways to save on fluconazole oral tablets.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of fluconazole oral tablets if you have a condition that requires long-term treatment. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

Financial assistance to help you pay for fluconazole may be available.

Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites offering resources that may help decrease the price you pay for fluconazole. They also offer tools to help you find low cost healthcare, as well as educational resources. To learn more, visit their sites.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Mail-order pharmacies

Fluconazole may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of fluconazole, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Fluconazole isn’t known to cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of fluconazole oral tablet depend on how much of the drug you need to take. These side effects can include:

  • headache
  • diarrhea
  • nausea or upset stomach
  • dizziness
  • stomach pain
  • vomiting
  • changes in the way food tastes
  • severe rash in people with lowered immunity

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Liver damage. Symptoms can include:
    • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
    • dark urine
    • light-colored stools
    • severe skin itching
    • vomiting or nausea
  • Severe rash in people with AIDS or cancer. Symptoms can include:
    • skin peeling
    • severe rash
  • Torsades de pointes (a life threatening heart rhythm condition). Symptoms can include:
    • feeling like your heart is skipping a beat (palpitations)
    • fast, irregular heart rate
    • dizziness
    • fainting
    • seizures
  • Adrenal gland problems. Symptoms can include:
    • muscle weakness
    • belly pain
    • fatigue
    • loss of appetite

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Fluconazole oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with fluconazole are listed below.

Drugs that should not be used with fluconazole

There are certain drugs that you should not use with fluconazole. If used with fluconazole, these drugs can cause dangerous effects in your body. Examples of these drugs include:

  • Terfenadine. If used with fluconazole at doses of 400 milligrams (mg) or higher, this drug can cause a life threatening heart rhythm condition called torsades de pointes.
  • Pimozide, clarithromycin, erythromycin, ranolazine, lomitapide, donepezil, voriconazole, and quinidine. If used with fluconazole, these drugs can cause a life threatening heart rhythm condition called torsades de pointes.

Drugs that increase the risk of side effects

Taking fluconazole with certain drugs raises your risk of side effects from those drugs. Examples of these drugs include:

  • Diabetes drugs such as glyburide (Diabeta) and glipizide (Glucotrol XL). Increased side effects can include low blood sugar. This causes symptoms such as sweating and chills, shakiness, fast pulse, weakness, hunger, and dizziness.
  • Warfarin (Jantoven). Increased side effects can include bruising, nosebleeds, and blood in your urine or stools.
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin). Taking this drug with fluconazole can cause trouble with coordination, slurred speech, and confusion. Your doctor will measure blood levels of phenytoin while you’re taking fluconazole. It’s possible that your doctor will decrease your dose of phenytoin while you’re taking fluconazole.
  • Cyclosporine (Neoral), tacrolimus (Prograf), and sirolimus (Rapamune). Increased side effects can include kidney damage. Your doctor will check your blood for signs of kidney damage while you’re taking fluconazole. If you show signs of kidney damage, your doctor may lower your doses of these drugs or stop them completely until your treatment with fluconazole is done.
  • Theophylline (Theo-24). Taking this drug with fluconazole can cause muscle cramps, headache, low blood pressure, and seizures. Your doctor will measure blood levels of phenytoin while you’re taking fluconazole.
  • Zidovudine (Retrovir). Increased side effects can include headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Pain drugs, such as methadone (Methadose) and fentanyl (Actiq). The levels of these drugs may be increased in your body when taken with fluconazole. Increased side effects include slower breathing, confusion, and drowsiness.
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol). Increased side effects include nausea, vomiting, unsteadiness, low blood cell counts, severe rash, heart failure, and liver failure.
  • Certain calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine (Procardia), amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil (Verelan), and felodipine. Increased side effects include low blood pressure, dizziness, confusion, and headache.
  • Certain statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor). Increased side effects include muscle pain and weakness and raised levels of creatinine in your blood.
  • Antipsychotic drugs, such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol (Haldol), and ziprasidone (Geodon). Taking fluconazole with these medications raises your risk of a life threatening irregular heart rhythm condition called torsades de pointes.
  • Antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), and paroxetine (Paxil). Taking fluconazole with these medications raises your risk of a life threatening irregular heart rhythm condition called torsades de pointes.
  • Heart rhythm drugs, such as amiodarone (Pacerone) and dofetilide (Tikosyn). Taking fluconazole with these medications raises your risk of a life threatening irregular heart rhythm condition called torsades de pointes.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Fluconazole oral tablet comes with several warnings

Allergy warning

This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • shortness of breath
  • coughing
  • wheezing
  • fever
  • chills
  • throbbing of your heart or ears
  • swelling of your eyelids, face, mouth, neck, or any other part of your body
  • skin rash, hives, blisters, or skin peeling

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Do not take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney disease: If you have kidney disease or a history of kidney disease, your kidneys may not be able to remove this drug from your body like they should. This may increase the levels of fluconazole in your body and cause more side effects. This drug may also make existing kidney disease worse.

People with liver problems: Fluconazole can cause liver problems. If you already have liver problems, talk with your healthcare professional before taking this drug.

People with high blood sugar levels: The oral suspension form of this drug contains sucrose, a kind of sugar. You should not use this form of the drug if you have a condition that increases your blood sugar level. Talk with your doctor before using this drug if you have high blood sugar levels or a condition, such as diabetes, which can cause high blood sugar levels.

People with abnormal heart rhythms: Using fluconazole can affect your heart rhythm. If you already have an abnormal heart rhythm, taking fluconazole may lead to dangerous heart rhythm problems.

People with certain conditions that lower immunity: If you have certain conditions that lower your immunity, such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS, you’re more likely to get a rash from fluconazole. Your doctor will monitor you for a rash and peeling skin.

Warnings for other groups

Pregnant people: Research in humans has shown adverse effects to the fetus when exposed to doses of 150 milligrams (mg) or higher during pregnancy. In lower doses, research in animals has shown adverse effects. There haven’t been enough studies done to be certain how lower doses of the drug might affect the human fetus.

This drug should only be used during pregnancy in serious cases where it’s needed to treat a dangerous infection in the pregnant person. And it should only be used if the potential risk to the fetus is acceptable given the drug’s potential benefit.

Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You can ask your doctor to tell you about the specific risks to the fetus.

If you become pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

People who are breastfeeding: Fluconazole passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this drug.

For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children: This medication should not be used in people younger than 6 months.

This dosage information is for fluconazole oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: fluconazole

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg

Brand: Diflucan

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg

Note: These drugs also come in other forms, but this article focuses on fluconazole oral tablets only.

Dosage for vaginal candidiasis

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical dosage: One 150-mg dose.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Use of this drug for vaginal candidiasis has not been approved in children younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for nonvaginal candidiasis

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical dosage: Depending on the type of infection you have, your daily dose could be between 50 mg and 400 mg.
  • Treatment length: Treatment can last up to several weeks.

Child dosage (ages 6 months through 17 years)

  • Typical dosage: Dosage depends on the weight of the child taking the drug, and the type of infection being treated.
  • Treatment length: The length of treatment depends on the infection being treated.

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

Use of this drug is not recommended in infants younger than 6 months.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for candidiasis prevention

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical dosage: 400 mg, taken once per day.
  • Treatment length: Treatment can last several weeks.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Use of this drug for the prevention of candidiasis in people younger than 18 years has not been approved.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for cryptococcal meningitis

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical dosage: 400 mg on the first day. The dose from day 2 on is usually 200 mg to 400 mg, taken once per day.
  • Treatment length: Treatment typically lasts 10–12 weeks after a test called a cerebrospinal fluid culture no longer detects fungi.

Child dosage (ages 6 months through 17 years)

Dosage for children is based on weight.

  • Typical dosage: On the first day, your child will take 12 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight. The dose from day 2 on is usually 6 mg to 12 mg/kg, taken once per day.
  • Treatment length: Treatment typically lasts 10–12 weeks after a test called a cerebrospinal fluid culture no longer detects fungi.

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

Use of this drug is not recommended in infants younger than 6 months.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special dosage considerations

For people with kidney disease: If you have kidney disease and are supposed to take more than a single dose of fluconazole, your dose may be lowered. Your doctor may give you a first dose of 50 mg to 400 mg, with additional doses that range between that amount and half of that amount, based on your kidney function.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Fluconazole oral tablet is used for both short-term and long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your infection may not get better or may get worse.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

  • hallucinations
  • paranoia
  • abnormal heart rhythm
  • blue tint to your skin
  • decreased breathing

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You should have decreased symptoms of infection.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes fluconazole oral tablet for you.

General

  • You can take fluconazole with or without food.
  • You can cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

  • Store fluconazole tablets below 86°F (30°C).
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

Your doctor should monitor your kidney and liver function while you take this drug. Your doctor should have blood tests done to check how well your liver and kidneys are working. If these organs aren’t working well, your doctor may decide to lower your dosage or have you stop taking this drug.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

What helps, composition, side effects, contraindications

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. A SPECIALIST’S CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED. Mushroom

The author of the article

Ibrayeva Ekaterina Anatolyevna,

Diploma of Pharmaceutical Education: 105924 3510869 reg. number 31955

All authors

Contents of the article

  • Diflucan: composition
  • Diflucan: what is it for
  • Diflucan: what does it help
  • Diflucan: contraindications
  • Diflucan before or after meals
  • Diflucan side effects
  • Flucostat or Diflucan: which is better for thrush
  • Diflucan or Fluconazole: which is better?
  • Summary
  • Ask an expert on the topic of the article

Infectious diseases are caused not only by bacteria and viruses, but also by fungi. According to the World Health Organization, fungal infections affect 20-30% of the world’s population. There are more and more fungi dangerous to humans, and their resistance to therapy is growing every year. Doctors note that it has become more difficult to treat “banal” candidiasis and “thrush”.

Diflucan is one of the “resistant fighters” with a large spectrum of fungi. The pharmacist talks about its composition, indications, contraindications, side effects. Compares with Flucostat and Fluconazole.

Diflucan: Composition

Diflucan is produced by the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The composition of the drug includes the active substance fluconazole, which acts against many types of pathogenic fungi.

In Russian pharmacies, the drug is presented in dosage forms:

  • Diflucan capsules 50 and 150 mg
  • Diflucan suspension in two dosages 10 mg/ml and 40 mg/ml – “syrup” for children prepared from powder
  • Diflucan solution for infusion, concentration 2 mg/ml

Please note that Diflucan does not have such forms as tablets and suppositories, which are often requested in pharmacies. And sometimes patients even want to buy the “laxative Diflucan”, confusing it with the drug Duphalac.

All products Diflucan 20 reviews

Diflucan: why

Diflucan is intended for the treatment of mycoses, diseases caused by pathogenic fungi. The drug blocks the synthesis of sterols, which form the basis of the cell membranes of fungi and causes their death. Effective against many pathogens included in the list of 19 most dangerous pathogens published by WHO.

Fungal infections are prone to recurrence, so Diflucan is often prescribed to prevent recurrence.

Diflucan: what helps

Diflucan indications:

  • cryptococcal meningitis
  • coccidioidomycosis
  • invasive candidiasis
  • mucous candidiasis
  • atrophic oral candidiasis
  • vaginal candidiasis
  • candidal balanitis
  • dermatomycosis when systemic treatment is required
  • onychomycosis (nail fungus)

Efficacy against fungi of the genus Candida allows the use of Diflucan for thrush in women, and the drug is also indicated for men with candidiasis of the penis (balanitis).

Diflucan: contraindications

Do not take Diflucan in the following cases:

  • hypersensitivity to fluconazole
  • Co-administration (400 mg daily) with Terfenadine
  • lactase deficiency, galactose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption
  • co-administration with cisapride, astemizole, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine
  • children under 3 years of age

Diflucan and alcohol compatibility

Alcohol increases the toxic effect of the drug on the liver. During treatment, you must stop taking alcoholic beverages.

Diflucan before or after meals

Simultaneous ingestion of food does not affect the absorption of fluconazole, the active ingredient in Diflucan. Capsules and suspension are taken before, after or during meals.

Diflucan Side Effects

Diflucan’s package leaflet states that patients tolerate it well. But like most drugs, side effects are possible. More often than others occur:

  • headache
  • abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • increased activity of liver enzymes
  • skin rash

Flucostat or Diflucan: which is better for thrush

Diflucan is the original fluconazole with proven efficacy. Flucostat is the first Russian generic fluconazole with a GMP production certificate, confirming the high quality of the drug.

In the treatment of “thrush”, the patient most likely will not notice a difference in the effectiveness of analogues. Flucostat wins in price compared to the original. . If you choose between Flucostat and Diflucan for vaginal candidiasis, then they can be replaced with each other, based on your own preferences. Both drugs work equally well.

All products Flucostat 21 reviews

Diflucan or Fluconazole: which is better?

More than 20 pharmaceutical manufacturers produce the drug under the name Fluconazole in dosage forms of capsules, tablets and solution for infusion. Fluconazole does not have a suspension powder that is made specifically for children like Diflucan.

In addition, Fluconazole drugs differ in the quality of the substances and the composition of the excipients, which affect the therapeutic efficacy, stability and duration of action. For example, Diflucan capsules have a shelf life of 5 years, while Fluconazole (Ozone) has only 3 years. The advantage of Diflucan lies in the large number of its own clinical studies.

All products Fluconazole 21 reviews

Summary

  • The active substance of Diflucan preparations is fluconazole.
  • Diflucan is intended for the treatment of mycoses – diseases caused by various types of pathogenic fungi.
  • Diflucan has serious side effects. Before use, you should consult with your doctor.
  • Diflucan capsules and suspension are taken before, after or during meals
  • Diflucan, Flucostat and Fluconazole contain the same active substance, but differ in manufacturers, dosage forms, quality of substances, excipients. Diflucan has many clinical studies.

Ask an expert about the topic of the article

Still have questions? Ask them in the comments below and our experts will answer you. There you can also share your experience with other Megatips readers.

Share Mega Tip

Like this article? Tell mom, dad, grandma and aunt Galya from the third entrance

Copy link

Diflucan (Fluconazole) for thrush – everything you need to know about the drug

  • Medical appointments

  • Syphilidologist
  • INFECTIONIST
  • Dermatologist
  • Therapist
  • Cardiologist
  • Oncologist
  • Endocrinologist
  • Neurologist
  • Medical certificates
  • Ultrasound diagnostics – ultrasound
  • Functional diagnostics
  • Urologist
  • Venereologist
  • Parasitologist
  • Mammologist
  • All services

  • Diagnostics

  • Gynecology
  • Dermatovenereology
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Therapy
  • Urology
  • Endocrinology
  • Infectology

  • Treatment

  • A
  • B
  • B
  • G
  • D
  • E
  • Yo
  • F
  • Z
  • and
  • Y
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • H
  • O
  • P
  • R
  • C
  • T
  • W
  • F
  • X
  • C
  • H
  • W
  • SC
  • E
  • Yu
  • I

COVID

Full range of care for COVID 9 virus infection0005

CHECK-UP

Full range of complex medical diagnostics

Tests

get tests at affordable prices

Preparations

specialized pharmacy

Online

900 02 specialized consultation

DISCOUNTS

Only profitable offers for you!

St. Petersburg, Ivana Chernykh st., 25A

Mon.-Sat. from 9:00 – 20:00, sun. from 10:00 – 18:00

  • home
  • •
  • News
  • •
  • Women Health
  • •

  • Diflucan (Fluconazole) for thrush – everything you need to know about the drug

Diflucan (Fluconazole) for thrush – everything you need to know about the drug

Since thrush is caused by fungi of the genus Candida, antifungal drugs are required to effectively treat the disease. One of the most famous antimycotics is Diflucan (trade name for fluconazole). The active substance has long been known in medicine and is widely used to treat vaginal candidiasis, but the drug continues to raise a number of questions and doubts among patients. Today we will try to answer the most popular of them.

Can I take fluconazole without consulting a doctor?

No antifungal drug should be taken alone. To select an effective treatment for thrush, a woman should go to a gynecologist, take a vaginal smear and other tests to accurately determine the cause of vaginitis. Complete diagnostic information allows you to prescribe the right drugs to quickly eliminate the symptoms of thrush and reduce the risk of its recurrence.

A mandatory consultation with a gynecologist is the main rule in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Doctors constantly remind about this, since self-treatment of thrush reaches a huge scale and leads to frequent relapses of the disease, an increase in the resistance of fungi to the drugs used, and the development of complications from the female reproductive system.

Is a single dose of Diflucan sufficient?

Yes, for acute vulvovaginal candidiasis, gynecologists usually prescribe a single dose of fluconazole. A convenient treatment regimen was made possible due to the good distribution and metabolism of the drug.

Diflucan has a high level of bioavailability – about 90%, and is able to accumulate in integumentary tissues, creating a high therapeutic concentration there. The half-life is more than 30 hours, so even after a single dose, fluconazole gives a prolonged antifungal effect.

Can Diflucan replace suppositories for thrush?

With vaginal candidiasis, local therapy can be used – suppositories, vaginal tablets, and systemic therapy – capsules and tablets for oral administration. The choice of treatment tactics is determined by the specific clinical situation, so it is not entirely correct to talk about the possibility of replacing one drug with another.

In acute forms of vaginal candidiasis, a single dose of Diflucan and the use of suppositories with antifungal drugs have an approximately equal therapeutic effect. If the patient has a chronic relapsing process, systemic drugs – tablets will be more effective. They allow you to create a high concentration of fluconazole in the inflammatory focus in order to destroy fungi and prevent their deep germination into the epithelium.

Can fluconazole be taken for liver disease?

In liver diseases that are not accompanied by liver failure, it is allowed to take fluconazole. However, such an appointment should be made by the doctor after assessing the general health of the woman, determining possible risks and adverse reactions.

The negative effect of Diflucan on the liver is associated with the blocking of the cytochrome P450 system, which is responsible for the detoxification function. When treated with an antifungal drug, the ability to metabolize toxic substances and remove them from the body worsens.

Why does thrush recur after treatment with Diflucan?

Since Candida fungi are part of the normal microflora of the genital tract, it is very difficult to completely destroy them. With the next decrease in immunity, hypothermia, co-infection with STIs, fungi receive favorable conditions for reproduction, so the disease returns.

Frequent recurrence of vaginal candidiasis occurs in women with such risk factors:

● uncontrolled use of antibiotics for the treatment of respiratory, intestinal, genital and other types of infections;

● immunodeficiency conditions, including in women living with HIV and not receiving antiretroviral therapy;

● Abuse of antibacterial gels for intimate hygiene;

● Douching of the vagina;

● unprotected sex, frequent change of sexual partners;

● metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus;

● Imbalance of sex hormones.

If a woman continues to hope for the “miracle cure” fluconazole and takes it once to relieve an exacerbation, such treatment will not be enough in most cases. A chronic relapsing process requires individual selection and longer use of antifungal drugs, which is possible only after examination by a gynecologist.

If Fluconazole didn’t help, what does it mean?

There are many reasons for the ineffectiveness of drugs against thrush. Without consulting a doctor, it is difficult to determine exactly what the problem is.

One of the common factors why thrush does not respond to treatment with fluconazole is the resistance of fungi to this drug. Most often, this situation is observed in candidiasis caused by non-albicans pathogens: Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei. They are naturally resistant to fluconazole. In recent years, there has been an increase in the frequency of this type of thrush.

The drug may not be effective if the symptoms of vaginitis, which the woman mistakenly interprets as thrush, are actually caused by bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This situation often occurs in chronic recurrent processes, when vaginal discharge is not abundant, and discomfort, burning and dryness in the vagina come to the fore.

As you can see, the treatment of thrush is not as simple as it seems at first glance. Therefore, ID-Clinic gynecologists recommend that women do not endanger their health by engaging in self-diagnosis and self-treatment.

Tags:

drugs
mycoses

For all questions, please contact the doctors of the clinic who consult offline and online, select effective therapy even with recurrent candidal vaginitis and the ineffectiveness of previous treatment regimens.

Inspection

A04.20.001.001

Ultrasound of the uterus and appendages transvaginal

2500 ₽

B01.001.001.001

Reception (examination, consultation) of an obstetrician-gynecologist primary

3000 ₽

B01.001.002

Reception (examination, consultation) of an obstetrician-gynecologist repeated

3000 ₽

Online consultation with a gynecologist

3000 ₽

Analyzes

170104

Causative agents of candidiasis (Candida albicans/ glabrata/ crusei), qualitative DNA determination

630. 00 RUB

804005

Microbiological (cultural) test for yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida (Candida) and others with the determination of sensitivity to antimycotic drugs

835.00 RUB

Make an appointment

St. Petersburg, Ivan Chernykh st., 25A

Mon-Sat 09.00-20.00, Sun 10.00-18.00

By clicking the button you agree to the terms of the Privacy Policy

  • SmirnovaUlyana Sergeevna

    Gynecologist,
    Sexologist