Brand Name: Diflucan

Diflucan for Yeast Infections Drug Information

Fluconazole is used to treat fungal infections, including yeast infections of the vagina, mouth, throat, esophagus (tube leading from the mouth to the stomach), abdomen (area between the chest and waist), lungs, blood, and other organs. Fluconazole is also used to treat meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spine ) caused by fungus. Fluconazole is also used to prevent yeast infections in patients who are likely to become infected because they are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy before a bone marrow transplant (replacement of unhealthy spongy tissue inside the bones with healthy tissue). Fluconazole is in a class of antifungals called triazoles. It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.

How should I use Diflucan?

Fluconazole comes as a tablet and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. You may need to take only one dose of fluconazole, or you may need to take fluconazole for several weeks or longer. The length of your treatment depends on your condition and on how well you respond to fluconazole. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fluconazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may tell you to take a double dose of fluconazole on the first day of your treatment. Follow these directions carefully.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Continue to take fluconazole until your doctor tells you that you should stop, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking fluconazole without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking fluconazole too soon, your infection may come back after a short time.

What other uses are there for Diflucan?

Fluconazole is also sometimes used to treat serious fungal infections that begin in the lungs and can spread through the body and fungal infections of the eye, prostate (a male reproductive organ), skin and nails. Fluconazole is also sometimes used to prevent fungal infections in people who are likely to become infected because they have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or cancer or have had a transplant operation (surgery to remove an organ and replace it with a donor or artificial organ). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I observe when on Diflucan infection medicine?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluconazole, other antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend) or any other ,medications.
• do not take cisapride (Propulsid) while taking fluconazole.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking, especially amiodarone (Cordarone); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); , astemizole (Hismanal) (not available in the United States) ; , benzodiazepines such as midazolam (Versed);cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); , disopyramide (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills') such as hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Microzide); dofetilide (Tikosyn); erythromycin (E.E.S, E-Mycin, Erythrocin); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); moxifloxacin (Avelox); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral medicine for diabetes such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glycron, others), and tolbutamide (Orinase); phenytoin (Dilantin); pimozide (Orap); procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl); quinidine (Quinidex); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); sotalolol (Betapace); sparfloxacin (Zagam); tacrolimus (Prograf); terfenadine (Seldane)(not available in the United States); theophylline (TheoDur); thioridazine (Mellaril); valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); and zidovudine (Retrovir).
• tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had cancer; acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); an irregular heartbeat; or heart, kidney or liver disease .
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluconazole, call your doctor.
  

What diet do I need to follow when on Diflucan?

What do I do if I forget a dose of Diflucan?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can infection medications such as Diflucan cause?

• headache
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• heartburn
• change in ability to taste food

• upset stomach
• extreme tiredness
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• flu-like symptoms
• dark urine
• pale stools
• seizures
• rash
• hives
• itching
• swelling of the face , throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

What storage conditions should I use for Diflucan?

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control left at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911