DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Fluconazole Tablets (flue-KON-a-zole)
Brand Name: Diflucan

Fluconazole is used for:

Treating and preventing certain yeast and fungal infections. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Fluconazole is an azole antifungal. It kills sensitive fungi by interfering with the formation of the fungal cell membrane.

Do NOT use Fluconazole if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fluconazole
• you are taking astemizole, an aldosterone blocker (eg, eplerenone), cisapride, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), erythromycin, pimozide, a serotonin (5-HT₁) receptor agonist (eg, eletriptan), or terfenadine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fluconazole :

Some medical conditions may interact with Fluconazole . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a weakened immune system, kidney or liver disease, or an irregular heartbeat
• if you are allergic to other azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fluconazole . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), amiodarone, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, serotonin receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), quinolines (eg, ciprofloxacin), or terfenadine because the risk of severe irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation) may be increased
• Rifabutin because the risk of certain eye problems (eg, uveitis) may be increased
• Macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus) because the risk of kidney problems may be increased
• Rifampin or proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole) because they may decrease Fluconazole 's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), buspirone, carbamazepine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine ), haloperidol, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or "statins" (eg, simvastatin), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), methadone, muscarinic antagonists (eg, solifenacin, tolterodine), narcotics (eg, codeine), ramelteon, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Fluconazole .

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fluconazole may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fluconazole :

Use Fluconazole as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Fluconazole by mouth with or without food.
• Take Fluconazole at least 2 hours before proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole).
• To clear up your infection completely, take Fluconazole for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
• Fluconazole works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• If you miss a dose of Fluconazole , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fluconazole .

Important safety information:

• Fluconazole may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Fluconazole with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Fluconazole has been known to cause rare cases of serious liver damage, including death, mainly in patients with serious medical conditions. Liver damage caused by Fluconazole has not been attributed to total daily dose, length of therapy, or sex or age of the patient. This type of liver damage may or may not be reversible when Fluconazole is stopped. If you notice any of the following, contact your doctor immediately: swollen or tender abdomen, yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Be sure to use Fluconazole for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The fungus could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Fluconazole may cause a rash. If the rash worsens, contact your doctor.
• Long-term or repeated use of Fluconazole may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Fluconazole . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Lab tests, such as blood urea nitrogen and liver and kidney function, may be performed while you use Fluconazole . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Fluconazole with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Fluconazole while you are pregnant. Fluconazole is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Fluconazole , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Fluconazole :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Changes in taste; dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); diarrhea; scaly, red skin over a large portion of the body; swollen or tender abdomen; vomiting; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include changes in behavior; convulsions; hallucinations; seizures; slowed breathing.

Proper storage of Fluconazole :

Store Fluconazole below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Fluconazole out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Fluconazole , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Fluconazole is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fluconazole . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.