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floo-KON-a-zole
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
In Canada
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Antifungal
Chemical Class: Triazole
Fluconazole is used to treat serious fungal or yeast infections, such as vaginal candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush, oral thrush), esophageal candidiasis (candida esophagitis), other candida infections (including urinary tract infections, peritonitis [inflammation of the lining of the abdomen], and infections that may occur in different parts of the body), or fungal (cryptococcal) meningitis. fluconazole works by killing the fungus or yeast, or preventing its growth .
Fluconazole is also used to prevent candidiasis in patients having bone marrow transplants, who receive cancer or radiation treatment .
fluconazole is available only with your doctor's prescription .
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fluconazole, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fluconazole or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fluconazole in children 6 months to 13 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established in infants less than 6 months of age .
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fluconazole in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment of dosage in patients receiving fluconazole .
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Using fluconazole with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using fluconazole with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using fluconazole with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of fluconazole. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you fluconazole. fluconazole is given through a needle placed in one of your veins .
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure fluconazole is working properly and to check for unwanted effects .
Fluconazole should not be used with cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) or terfenadine (e.g., Seldane). Doing so may increase the risk of serious side effects .
Liver problems may occur while you are using fluconazole. Check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal pain or tenderness; clay-colored stools; dark urine; decreased appetite; fever; headache; itching; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; skin rash; swelling of the feet or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin .
fluconazole may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; trouble breathing; or chest pain after you get the injection .
Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with fluconazole. Check with your doctor right away if you start having a skin rash, itching, or any other skin changes while you are using fluconazole .
fluconazole can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats .
If your symptoms do not improve, or if they become worse, check with your doctor. You may need to use fluconazole for several months before your infection gets better .
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
RareGet emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdoseSome side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less commonOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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