Fluconazole (By mouth)
floo-KON-a-zole
Prevents and treats fungal infections.
Drug classes
Antifungal (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Fluconazole is used to treat serious fungal or yeast infections, such as vaginal candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush, oral thrush), esophageal candidiasis (candida esophagitis), other candida infections (including urinary tract infections, peritonitis [inflammation of the lining of abdomen or stomach], and infections that may occur in different parts of the body), or fungal (cryptococcal) meningitis. This medicine works by killing the fungus or yeast, or preventing its growth.
Fluconazole is also used to prevent candidiasis in patients having bone marrow transplants who receive cancer or radiation treatment.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Liquid, Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Oral liquid: Shake well just before each use. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator or at room temperature and use it within 14 days. Do not freeze.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not use this medicine together with astemizole, cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine, or terfenadine.
Some foods and medicines can affect how fluconazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using cimetidine, midazolam, prednisone, rifabutin, rifampin, theophylline, tofacitinib, triazolam, vitamin A supplements, or voriconazole. Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
A blood thinner (such as warfarin) A diuretic or “water pill” (such as hydrochlorothiazide), or blood pressure medicine (such as amlodipine, felodipine, isradipine, losartan, nifedipine) Birth control pills Cancer medicine (cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, vincristine) Diabetes medicine that you take by mouth (glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide) Medicine to lower cholesterol (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin) Medicine to treat depression (amitriptyline, nortriptyline) Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (saquinavir, zidovudine) Medicine to treat malaria (halofantrine) Medicine to treat seizures (carbamazepine, phenytoin) Medicine that weakens the immune system (cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus) Narcotic pain medicine (alfentanil, fentanyl, methadone) Pain or arthritis medicine (aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to fluconazole, or if you are pregnant.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, cancer, or HIV/AIDS.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Liver problems Serious skin reactions Changes in heart rhythm, such as a condition called QT prolongationThis medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
CanesOral, Diflucan
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
