DIFLUCAN

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to fluconazole, or similar drugs such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin), econazole (Spectazole), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat), sertaconazole (Ertaczo), sulconazole (Exelderm), terconazole (Terazol), tioconazole (Vagistat-1), or voriconazole (Vfend).

Do not use fluconazole if you are also taking cisapride (Propulsid) or terfenadine (Seldane).

Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of "Long QT syndrome."

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

How does it work?
Diflucan capsules, suspension and infusion all contain the active ingredient fluconazole, which is a type of medicine called a triazole antifungal. (NB. Fluconazole is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Fluconazole is used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts.

Fluconazole kills the fungi that are causing an infection by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol causes holes to appear in the fungal cell membrane.

The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As fluconazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.

Fluconazole is used to treat a number of different types of fungal and yeast infections, particularly those caused by Candida or Cryptococcus species of fungi.

It can be taken by mouth or may be administered via a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) depending on the type and severity of the infection. The length of treatment will also depend on the type and severity of the infection, for example vaginal thrush can normally treated with a single dose by mouth, while some other infections may require six to eight weeks of treatment.

Warning!

• Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antifungal medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the fungi will grow resistant to the antifungal.
• This medicine can sometimes cause liver problems. If you are taking high doses or long courses of this medicine your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function. Consult your doctor promptly if you develop unexplained itching, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), unusually dark urine, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pains, loss of appetite or flu-like symptoms while taking this medicine, as these could be signs of a liver problem.
• This medicine may rarely cause allergic skin reactions. Consult your doctor if you develop a rash, blistering or peeling of the skin while taking this medicine. People with AIDS are likely to be prone to skin reactions to many medicines, including this one.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or upset stomach;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth; or
• skin rash or itching.

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.