Diflucan is also used to prevent fungal infection in people who have a weak immune system caused by cancer treatment, bone marrow transplant, or diseases such as AIDS.
Diflucan Tablet Azole Antifungals-Systemic – Uses, Side Effects, and More
Fluconazole is used to treat vaginal yeast infections. It works by stopping the growth of common types of vaginal yeast (fungus). This medication belongs to a class of drugs called azole antifungals.
How to use Diflucan oral
Read the Patient Information Leaflet before you start taking fluconazole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
In Canada, some brands of this medication are available without a prescription. Before taking over-the-counter fluconazole, read the product instructions and talk to your doctor if this is your first vaginal yeast infection, if this is your second infection within 2 months, or if you are considering treatment for a girl under 12 years old.
Take this medication by mouth usually as a single dose, with or without food at any time of the day, or as directed by your doctor.
The effect of this medication continues for several days. If your condition does not improve after a few days or if it worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.
Side Effects
Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
If your doctor has directed you to use this product, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this product do not have serious side effects.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting.
This drug may rarely cause serious liver disease. Get medical help right away if you develop any signs of liver disease, including: nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungal drugs (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease.
Fluconazole may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using fluconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/”water pills”) or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using fluconazole safely.
Although uncommon, this drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby if taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor, and ask if you should use a medication applied in or around the vagina instead.
Fluconazole passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Diflucan
Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD. Last updated on Feb 7, 2023.
What is Diflucan?
Diflucan is an oral (taken by mouth) antifungal medicine. Diflucan is available as a tablet or as an oral suspension (liquid).
Diflucan 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.
Diflucan is also used to prevent fungal infection in people who have a weak immune system caused by cancer treatment, bone marrow transplant, or diseases such as AIDS.
Diflucan is also used to treat a certain type of meningitis in people with HIV or AIDS.
Warnings
Certain other drugs can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Diflucan,especially cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine, astemizole, higher doses of terfenadine, and many other medications that are broken down by certain enzymes that are inhibited by fluconazole. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
Before taking Diflucan, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of Long QT syndrome.
Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antifungal medication. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Related/similar drugs
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Diflucan if you are allergic to fluconazole.
Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with fluconazole. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:
- cisapride, fentanyl, methadone, pimozide, tofacitinib, tolvaptan, or a vitamin A supplement;
- an antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral medicine;
- a blood thinner;
- cancer medicine;
- cholesterol medication;
- oral diabetes medicine;
- heart or blood pressure medication;
- medicine for malaria or tuberculosis;
- medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection;
- medicine to treat depression or mental illness;
- an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug);
- seizure medicine; or
- steroid medicine.
To make sure Diflucan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver or kidney disease;
- low levels of potassium in your blood;
- heart problems; or
- if you are allergic to other antifungal medicine (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and others).
The liquid form of Diflucan contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before taking Diflucan oral suspension if you have a problem digesting sugars or milk.
Fluconazole may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for at least 1 week after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
How should I take Diflucan?
Take Diflucan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
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.
You may take Diflucan with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Use Diflucan for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.
You may store the oral suspension between 86 F (30 C) and 41 F (5 C), but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any leftover liquid that is more than 2 weeks old.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include confusion or unusual thoughts or behavior.
What should I avoid while using Diflucan?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Diflucan side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Diflucan (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
- seizure (convulsions);
- decreased adrenal gland hormones – nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, feeling tired or light- headed, muscle or joint pain, skin discoloration, craving salty foods; or
- skin rash or skin lesions;
- liver problems – loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Diflucan side effects may include:
- nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, upset stomach;
- headache;
- dizziness; or
- changes in your sense of taste.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Diflucan?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Fluconazole can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
Many drugs can interact with fluconazole, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
Popular FAQ
Fluconazole inhibits the growth of the yeast Candida albicans, which is most commonly responsible for Vaginal yeast infections. This allows our body’s defenses to eliminate the fungus and resolve the discharge. It does this by blocking the effects of an enzyme called lanosterol 14-α-demethylase which is responsible for the formation of ergosterol, an important component of the yeast’s cell wall. This causes toxic substances to build up inside the yeast, reducing its ability to build up and cause an infection. Continue reading
More FAQ
- Fluconazole – How long does it take to work?
- Fluconazole – can you drink alcohol while using one dose of 150mg one time?
- What is the dose of fluconazole for tinea? Is it is indicated for tinea infections?
- I’m having a reaction after taking fluconazole, is this normal?
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Professional resources
Related treatment guides
- Candida Urinary Tract Infection
- Candidemia
- Blastomycosis
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Diflucan only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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