Diflucan

Generic Name: fluconazole (floo KOE na zole)
Brand Names: Diflucan

What is fluconazole?

Fluconazole is an antifungal antibiotic.

Fluconazole is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and the blood.

Fluconazole is also used to prevent fungal infection in people with weak immune systems caused by cancer treatment, bone marrow transplant, or diseases such as AIDS.

Fluconazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about fluconazole?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to fluconazole, or similar drugs such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin), econazole (Spectazole), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat), sertaconazole (Ertaczo), sulconazole (Exelderm), terconazole (Terazol), tioconazole (Vagistat-1), or voriconazole (Vfend). Do not use fluconazole if you are also taking cisapride (Propulsid) or terfenadine (Seldane).

Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of "Long QT syndrome."

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluconazole?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to fluconazole, or similar drugs such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin), econazole (Spectazole), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat), sertaconazole (Ertaczo), sulconazole (Exelderm), terconazole (Terazol), tioconazole (Vagistat-1), or voriconazole (Vfend). Do not use fluconazole if you are also taking cisapride (Propulsid) or terfenadine (Seldane).

Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• a heart rhythm disorder; or

• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take fluconazole.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Fluconazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take fluconazole?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your dose will depend on the infection you are treating. Vaginal infections are often treated with only one pill. For other infections, your first dose may be a double dose. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. You may store liquid fluconazole in a refrigerator, but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any leftover liquid medicine that is more than 2 weeks old.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a fluconazole overdose may include confusion or unusual thoughts or behavior.

What should I avoid while taking fluconazole?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using fluconazole.

Fluconazole side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or upset stomach;

• headache;

• dizziness;

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth; or

• skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect fluconazole?

Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• astemizole (Hismanal).

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral);

• an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and others;

• rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

• a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), or midazolam (Versed);

• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or valproic acid (Depakene);

• tacrolimus ((Prograf); or

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with fluconazole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluconazole.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Where can I buy fluconazole?

You can buy fluconazole by any brand name such as Diflucan at any reputable online pharmacy.