Fluconazole
Generic Name: Fluconazole
Typical Brand Name(s): Diflucan
What
Is It Used For?
FLUCONAZOLE (Diflucan) is an antifungal type of antibiotic.
It treats serious fungal infections found
throughout the body. These include oral candidiasis or thrush
infections of the mouth or throat, vaginal yeast infections,
candidal infection of the urinary tract, meningitis, and others.
Generic fluconazole oral suspensions and tablets are available. |
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How Is It Used?
Take fluconazole oral suspension or tablets
by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label.
If taking the oral suspension, shake it well before using.
Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure the oral
suspension. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household
spoons are not always accurate. You can take the oral suspension
or tablets with or without food. Take your doses at regular
intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Finish the full course prescribed by your health care professional
even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your
prescriber's advice.
What should my health
care professional know before I take fluconazole?
They need to know if you have any of these
conditions:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Other chronic illness
- An unusual or allergic reaction to fluconazole,
other azole medicines (used to treat fungal or yeast infections),
or other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
Are There Possible
Side Effects?
Stop taking this medication immediately and report these side
effects to your prescriber or health care professional right
away:
- Fainting or falling spells
- Irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or
health care professional as soon as possible:
- Dark yellow or brown urine
- Dizziness
- Light-colored stools (bowel movements)
- Redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin,
including inside the mouth
- Skin Rash, Itching
- Stomach Pain
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical
attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional
if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Loss of appetite or changes in how food tastes
- Nausea
What
About Interactions With Other Drugs?
- Bosentan
- Cilostazol
- Cisapride
- Cyclosporine
- Dofetilide
- Certain medicines for anxiety or difficulty
sleeping
- Medicines for diabetes that are taken by
mouth
- Medicines for high cholesterol such as atorvastatin,
fluvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin
- Medicines for yeast or fungal infections
- Phenytoin
- Pimozide
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Tacrolimus
- Terfenadine
- Warfarin
- Water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional
about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription
medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also
tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are
a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you
smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way
your medicine works. Check with your health care professional
before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch
for while taking fluconazole?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms
do not improve in a few weeks. Some fungal infections need
many weeks or months of treatment to cure. Keep taking your
medicine regularly for as long as your prescriber or health
care professional tells you to.
If you are taking this medicine for a long time you must visit
your prescriber or health care professional for regular blood
and liver function tests.
Alcohol can increase possible damage to your liver. Do not
take alcoholic drinks while you take this medicine.
If you have a vaginal infection, do not have sex until you
have finished your treatment. Your clothing may get soiled
if you have a vaginal discharge. You can wear a sanitary napkin;
do not use tampons. Wear freshly washed cotton, not synthetic,
panties.
Fluconazole has been associated with birth defects when given
at high doses early in a pregnancy. If you are pregnant or
think you may be pregnant, tell you prescriber or health care
professional immediately. Women who may become pregnant should
use effective birth control while taking fluconazole.
What If I Miss A
Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as
you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only
that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
How Should It Be
Stored?
Keep out of the reach of children in a
container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature below 30°C (86°F).
Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine
after the expiration date.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not substitute for,
the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed
to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate,
or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional
before taking the product. |