What Is Diflucan?
Diflucan (fluconazole) is an orally administered prescription drug used to deal with and forestall numerous fungal infections in adults and kids, together with thrush (oral) and vaginal yeast infections ensuing from differing varieties of naturally occurring Candida fungus. Diflucan additionally treats fungal meningitis.
Diflucan is categorized as an azole antifungal and works by slowing the expansion of fungus. Particularly, azole antifungals are a subgroup of the bigger antifungal drug class.
The energetic ingredient in Diflucan is fluconazole.
Fluconazole is accessible as a generic product that may be administered in a number of types, together with oral tablets or liquid suspension (a liquid to be swallowed with small quantities of a drug).
Nevertheless, this text will give attention to Diflucan, a brand-name drug administered both by oral tablets or as a powder for liquid suspension.
Drug Details
Generic Title: Fluconazole
Model Title(s): Diflucan
Drug Availability: Prescription
Therapeutic Classification: Azole antifungal
Accessible Generically: Sure
Managed Substance: N/A
Administration Route: Oral
Energetic Ingredient: Fluconazole
Dosage Type(s): Pill, powder for liquid suspension
What Is Diflucan Used For?
The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted Diflucan for the next:
- Remedy of fungal infections, together with yeast infections of the vagina, lungs, mouth, esophagus, blood, stomach, throat, and different organs on account of the Candida fungus
- Remedy of Cryptococcal fungal meningitis (an infection of the membranes and fluid which can be discovered throughout the spinal wire and mind) in these with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Prophylaxis (prevention) of fungal an infection in individuals with a weakened immune system on account of most cancers remedy (chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy), bone marrow transplant (a process that places wholesome blood-forming stem cells into your physique to exchange bone marrow that’s not making sufficient wholesome blood cells)
Diflucan is efficient in opposition to various varieties of Candida fungus that may result in yeast infections, resembling Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, and Cryptococcus neoformans.
The best way to Take Diflucan
If you’re prescribed Diflucan:
- Use Diflucan exactly as your healthcare supplier directs, and don’t skip doses. You possibly can take Diflucan with or with out meals. It’s often taken as soon as a day,
- In case your prescription is for oral suspension, shake the bottle effectively earlier than measuring. Measure with a medication-measuring system. Don’t use a kitchen measuring system.
- In case your signs worsen or don’t enhance after a number of days, seek the advice of your healthcare supplier.
- Don’t cease taking Diflucan earlier than the prescribed size of remedy is over, even if you’re feeling higher. Stopping the treatment too quickly may trigger the an infection to return.
- Ask your healthcare supplier when you have any questions or issues about Diflucan.
Storage
Retailer Diflucan tablets or suspension at room temperature, away from warmth, direct mild, and moisture. Don’t retailer it within the rest room or freeze the treatment.
Discard any unused oral suspension after 14 days. Maintain this treatment in its unique labeled container and out of attain of kids and pets. Maintain the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Off-Label Makes use of
Typically Diflucan is used off-label for indications that aren’t FDA-approved.
Healthcare suppliers might prescribe Diflucan for off-label use for the next:
How Lengthy Does Diflucan Take to Work?
In brief, the time for restoration will depend on the fungal an infection you’re utilizing Diflucan to deal with.
For a vaginal yeast an infection, you could begin to really feel higher shortly, after one dose, though some females might require a second dose. For different varieties of Candida infections, it might take a number of days or perhaps weeks to really feel higher.
Even when you really feel higher, you will need to take Diflucan for the complete prescribed size of remedy to verify the an infection is totally handled.
What Are the Facet Results of Diflucan?
This isn’t an entire listing of uncomfortable side effects, and others might happen. A medical skilled can advise you on uncomfortable side effects. In case you expertise different results, contact your pharmacist or a medical skilled. You might report uncomfortable side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Widespread Facet Results
Widespread uncomfortable side effects related to using Diflucan embody:
Extreme Facet Results
Name your healthcare supplier immediately when you have severe uncomfortable side effects. Name 911 in case your signs really feel life-threatening or when you assume you’re having a medical emergency.
Severe uncomfortable side effects and their signs related to using Diflucan might embody the next:
- Hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis): Signs can embody rash, urticaria (hives), swelling across the lips, tongue, and face, and issue respiratory; it requires emergency medical consideration.
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis: These extreme pores and skin reactions could be life-threatening and trigger dying if not handled. Be alert for sore throat, burning eyes, fever, crimson or purple rash, blistering/peeling pores and skin, and pores and skin ache.
- Liver issues: Be alert to abdomen ache, nausea, urge for food loss, fatigue, darkish urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the pores and skin or whites of the eyes).
- Low white blood cells: This may improve the chance of different varieties of infections.
- Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat): Be alert to quick or pounding heartbeats, fluttering within the chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness.
- Low platelet levels: This dysfunction can improve the chance of bruising and bleeding.
- Seizures
Lengthy-Time period Facet Results
Taking Diflucan for a short while is unlikely to trigger long-term uncomfortable side effects. Nevertheless, in some instances, long-term uncomfortable side effects may happen in individuals taking Diflucan for an prolonged interval.
In a medical research of people that took Diflucan for 28 days or longer for coccidioidomycosis, the most typical uncomfortable side effects have been dry pores and skin, hair loss, and fatigue.
One other medical trial studied individuals who took Diflucan as soon as weekly for six months to forestall vaginal yeast infections. On this research, the treatment was discovered to be tolerated effectively, with delicate uncomfortable side effects, and most of the people have been capable of take the treatment for the whole six months.
Dosage: How A lot Diflucan Ought to I Take?
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The dose of this drugs can be totally different for various sufferers. Comply with your physician’s orders or the instructions on the label. The next info contains solely the typical doses of this drugs. In case your dose is totally different, don’t change it except your physician tells you to take action.
The quantity of medication that you simply take will depend on the power of the medication. Additionally, the variety of doses you’re taking every day, the time allowed between doses, and the size of time you’re taking the medication rely upon the medical drawback for which you’re utilizing the medication.
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For oral dosage types (suspension or tablets):
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For cryptococcal meningitis:
- Adults—400 milligrams (mg) on the primary day, adopted by 200 mg as soon as a day for at the least 10 to 12 weeks. Your physician might alter your dose as wanted.
- Kids 6 months to 13 years of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and should be decided by your physician. The dose is often 12 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight on the primary day, adopted by 6 mg per kg of physique weight as soon as a day, for at the least 10 to 12 weeks.
- Kids youthful than 6 months of age—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For esophageal candidiasis:
- Adults—200 milligrams (mg) on the primary day, adopted by 100 mg as soon as a day for at the least 3 weeks. Your physician might improve your dose as wanted.
- Kids 6 months to 13 years of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and should be decided by your physician. The dose is often 6 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight on the primary day, adopted by 3 mg per kg of physique weight as soon as a day, for at the least 3 weeks.
- Kids youthful than 6 months of age—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For oropharyngeal candidiasis:
- Adults—200 milligrams (mg) on the primary day, adopted by 100 mg as soon as a day for at the least 2 weeks.
- Kids 6 months to 13 years of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and should be decided by your physician. The dose is often 6 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight on the primary day, adopted by 3 mg per kg of physique weight as soon as a day, for at the least 2 weeks.
- Kids youthful than 6 months of age—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For different infections that will happen in numerous components of the physique:
- Adults—Doses of as much as 400 milligrams (mg) per day.
- Kids 6 months to 13 years of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and should be decided by your physician. The dose is often 6 to 12 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight per day.
- Kids youthful than 6 months of age—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For prevention of candidiasis throughout bone marrow transplantation:
- Adults—400 milligrams (mg) as soon as a day.
- Kids—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For urinary tract infections or peritonitis:
- Adults—50 to 200 milligrams (mg) per day.
- Kids—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For vaginal candidiasis:
- Adults—150 milligrams (mg) as soon as a day.
- Kids—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For cryptococcal meningitis:
Modifications
Potential customers ought to observe the next concerning the consumption of Diflucan:
You might want to make use of warning when taking Diflucan if you’re 65 years or older, particularly when you have kidney issues. Individuals of any age with kidney issues may have a lowered dosage.
A dosage adjustment is usually not required for females with vaginal yeast infections who take a one-dose routine of Diflucan. Individuals with liver issues, nonetheless, ought to seek the advice of their healthcare supplier.
Females of childbearing age ought to use an efficient type of birth control whereas taking Diflucan and for at the least one week after the final dose. Focus on efficient types of contraception along with your healthcare supplier.
Pregnant females will typically not be prescribed Diflucan, particularly within the first trimester, as a result of danger of hurt to the unborn child.
Diflucan could also be prescribed in uncommon instances the place the advantages of remedy outweigh the chance to the unborn child, for instance, in a extreme or life-threatening an infection the place no various remedy is accessible.
Females who’re breastfeeding ought to seek the advice of their healthcare supplier earlier than utilizing Diflucan. This treatment is usually thought-about protected for breastfeeding moms.
Missed Dose
In case you miss a dose of Diflucan, take it as quickly as you keep in mind. Whether it is nearly time for the following dose, skip the missed dose. Don’t take further doses to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose: What Occurs If I Take Too A lot Diflucan?
Taking an excessive amount of Diflucan may cause hallucinations (seeing issues or listening to voices that don’t exist) and paranoid conduct (unrealistic mistrust of others).
What Occurs If I Overdose on Diflucan?
In case you assume you or another person might have overdosed on Diflucan, name a healthcare supplier or the Poison Management Middle (800-222-1222).
If somebody collapses or is not respiratory after taking Diflucan, name 911 instantly.
Precautions
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It is rather essential that your physician examine your or your kid’s progress at common visits to verify this drugs is working correctly. Blood and urine assessments could also be wanted to examine for negative effects.
In case your or your kid’s signs don’t enhance, or in the event that they turn into worse, examine along with your physician. Proceed to take this drugs as directed.
You or your little one mustn’t use erythromycin (Ery-Tab®), pimozide (Orap®), or quinidine (Cardioquin®) whereas utilizing this drugs due to the chance of undesirable uncomfortable side effects.
Utilizing this drugs for a very long time or utilizing it an excessive amount of when you are pregnant (particularly through the first trimester) can hurt your unborn child. Use an efficient type of contraception throughout remedy with this drugs and for at the least 1 week after the final dose. In case you assume you could have turn into pregnant whereas utilizing this drugs, inform your physician immediately.
This drugs might hardly ever trigger severe liver issues. Test along with your physician immediately when you or your little one have abdomen ache or tenderness, clay-colored stools, darkish urine, decreased urge for food, fever, headache, itching, lack of urge for food, nausea and vomiting, pores and skin rash, swelling of the ft or decrease legs, uncommon tiredness or weak spot, or yellow eyes or pores and skin.
This drugs might hardly ever trigger a severe sort of allergic response referred to as anaphylaxis, which could be life-threatening and requires speedy medical consideration. Name your physician immediately when you or your little one have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, bother with respiratory, bother with swallowing, or any swelling of your arms, face, or mouth when you are utilizing this drugs.
Severe pores and skin reactions can happen in sure individuals throughout remedy with this drugs. Test along with your physician immediately when you or your little one begin having a pores and skin rash, itching, or every other pores and skin modifications whereas utilizing this drugs.
Contact your physician immediately when you have any modifications to your coronary heart rhythm. You would possibly really feel dizzy or faint, otherwise you may need a quick, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Ensure that your physician is aware of when you or anybody in your loved ones has ever had a coronary heart rhythm drawback together with QT prolongation.
This drugs might trigger adrenal gland issues. Test along with your physician immediately when you have darkening of the pores and skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, lack of urge for food, psychological melancholy, nausea, pores and skin rash, uncommon tiredness or weak spot, or vomiting.
This drugs might trigger some individuals to turn into dizzy, drowsy, or much less alert than they’re usually. Don’t drive or do anything that could possibly be harmful till you know the way this drugs impacts you.
Don’t take different medicines except they’ve been mentioned along with your physician. This contains prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and natural or vitamin dietary supplements.
What Are Causes I Should not Take Diflucan?
Diflucan is just not applicable for everybody.
Earlier than taking Diflucan, inform your healthcare supplier about your medical situations, medical historical past, and household historical past.
You shouldn’t take this treatment if you’re allergic to fluconazole, related antifungals, or any inactive elements in Diflucan.
Different individuals who mustn’t take Diflucan embody:
- Females within the first trimester of being pregnant
- Individuals with fructose intolerance, glucose or galactose malabsorption, or congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID; incapability to digest sure sugar, significantly sucrose) mustn’t take the oral suspension type of Diflucan
Diflucan could also be prescribed with warning in some individuals provided that the healthcare supplier determines it’s protected. This contains:
- Females within the second or third trimester of being pregnant
- Females of childbearing age
- Individuals with electrolyte abnormalities (having an excessive amount of or not sufficient of sure minerals within the physique)
- Individuals with heart rhythm disorders or a household historical past of coronary heart rhythm problems
- Individuals who have had a latest heart attack
- Individuals with congestive coronary heart failure (CHF) (when your blood fails to pump a enough quantity of blood) or heart disease
- Individuals with liver or kidney issues
What Different Medicines Could Work together With Diflucan?
Inform your healthcare supplier about all of the medicines you’re taking, together with prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and nutritional vitamins or dietary supplements.
Whereas taking Diflucan, don’t begin any new medicines with out approval out of your healthcare supplier. Some medicine that will work together with Diflucan embody:
Sure medicine shouldn’t be taken with Diflucan, whereas others may have a dosage adjustment and shut monitoring.
Seek the advice of your healthcare supplier for extra info and an entire listing of drug interactions.
What Medicines Are Related?
Relying on the kind of fungal an infection, you could require totally different antifungals. Some fungal infections would require extra extended remedy and should even require preventive treatment.
Examples of different oral antifungals embody:
Numerous topical and vaginal antifungal medicines can be utilized alone or together with oral antifungal medicines. These are available each prescription and OTC types.
This listing is an inventory of medication additionally prescribed for fungal infections. It’s not an inventory of medicines really useful to take with Diflucan. Ask your healthcare supplier when you have any questions.
How Can I Keep Wholesome Whereas Taking Diflucan?
Fungal infections could be uncomfortable, however luckily, medicines like Diflucan can deal with or stop them.
Whereas taking Diflucan, observe the directions precisely. Ask your healthcare supplier if you’re uncertain how or when to take your treatment.
Diflucan can work together with many medicines, so earlier than beginning this drugs, inform your healthcare supplier about all of the medicines you’re taking. This contains prescription and OTC medicine, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements.
Whereas taking Diflucan, don’t begin any new medicines except your healthcare supplier tells you it’s protected. You too can ask your healthcare supplier when you ought to observe every other suggestions or precautions.
For instance, Diflucan is usually prescribed in females with vaginal yeast infections, so it may be useful to discover ways to stop them.
Some suggestions to assist stop vaginal yeast infections embody:
- Keep away from douching
- Keep away from scented female merchandise (bathtub merchandise, sprays, pads, tampons)
- Change pads or tampons frequently
- Keep away from tight underwear, pantyhose, pants, and denims, all of which might improve moisture
- Put on cotton underwear
- After swimming or exercising, change out of moist or sweaty garments as quickly as doable
- Wipe from front to back
- Keep away from scorching tubs
- If in case you have diabetes, preserve your blood sugar within the goal vary as a lot as doable
Medical Disclaimer
Verywell Well being’s drug info is supposed for academic functions solely and isn’t supposed as a substitute for medical recommendation, analysis, or remedy from a healthcare skilled. Seek the advice of your healthcare supplier earlier than taking any new treatment(s). IBM Watson Micromedex offers among the drug content material, as indicated on the web page.
