Fluconazole (Diflucan)

What is Fluconazole?

Fluconazole, sold under the brand name Diflucan, is a medication used to treat vulvovaginal yeast infections, which is an infection by a fungus called “candida” that causes itching and irritation of the genitals.

What are yeast infections?

Yeast infections are very common. Classic symptoms include itching of the vulva (the most common symptom), pain, redness or irritation of the vulva or vagina, pain with urination, pain during sex, and abnormal vaginal discharge. The fungus that causes yeast infections normally lives in the vagina and in the gut. Many people have the fungus, but it does not cause any problems. Sometimes, antibiotics, stress or other factors can make the fungus grow more than it should and cause a yeast infection. Fluconazole works to treat yeast infections by stopping the fungus from growing.

How does Fluconazole work?

Fluconazole is an anti-fungal medication. It works by inhibiting fungus from reproducing.

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Fluconazole is the anti-fungal agent, Fluconazole at a concentration of 150mg.

Inactive ingredients

Fluconazole also contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, FD&C Red No. 40 aluminum lake dye, lactose and magnesium stearate. Inactive ingredients may vary between manufacturers.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

If you have a lactose allergy or a deficiency that affects your lactose metabolism, you should avoid this medication as it contains lactose as an inactive ingredient. You should also let your doctor know of any other allergies you have to ensure they do not prescribe you a medication that can trigger an allergic reaction. 
 

Fluconazole dosage

Always take Fluconazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

To treat vaginal yeast infections, Fluconazole is given as a single one-time dose of 150mg. This is because one tablet will have high concentrations in the vaginal fluids for at least 3 days after taking it.  There is no dose adjustment for kidney disease for the single dose.

The infection should respond to treatment within a few days.

If you are pregnant, you should not take oral Fluconazole.

How should I take Fluconazole 150mg?

Always take Fluconazole as prescribed by your doctor. To treat vaginal yeast infections, Fluconazole is given as a one time single dose of 150mg tablets. It does not have to be taken with or without food.

Precautions

If you have severe symptoms, history of complicated fungal infections, poorly controlled diabetes, or immunosuppression, you should not take Fluconazole 150mg to treat yeast infections. You may require stronger or prolonged treatment.  

Do not take if pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Yeast infections in pregnancy are treated differently.

Fluconazole side effects

Fluconazole is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience headaches (13%), dizziness, nausea (7%), abdominal pain (6%), diarrhea (1%), and abnormal taste in your mouth (1%).

Drug Interactions

The co-administration of Fluconazole with other medicines may interact with the effects of Fluconazole, or these other medicines. This is the list of medications that are known to interact with Fluconazole. Always inform your doctor of all the drugs and supplements you take.

• Oral hypoglycemics
• Coumarin-type anticoagulants
• Phenytoin
• Cyclosporine
• Rifampin
• Theophylline
• Terfenadine
• Cisapride
• Astemizole
• Rifabutin
• Voriconazole
• Tacrolimus
• Short-acting benzodiazepines
• Triazolam
• Oral Contraceptives
• Pimozide
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Alfentanil
• Amitriptyline, nortriptyline
• Amphotericin B
• Azithromycin
• Carbamazepine
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Celecoxib
• Cyclophosphamide
• Fentanyl
• Halofantrine
• HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
• Losartan
• Methadone
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Prednisone
• Saquinavir
• Sirolimus
• Vinca Alkaloids
• Vitamin A
• Zidovudine

Contraindications

It is contraindicated to take Fluconazole in the following cases:

• If you are allergic to Fluconazole or any other ingredients in Fluconazole (see ingredients)
• If you are taking Terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide or quinidine.