What is the most important information I should know about fluconazole?
Certain other drugs can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with fluconazole, especially cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, and quinidine. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
What is fluconazole?
Fluconazole is an antifungal medicine.
Fluconazole 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.
Fluconazole 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.
Fluconazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluconazole?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to fluconazole, or if you also take cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, or quinidine.
To make sure fluconazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease;
- HIV or AIDS;
- cancer;
- heart disease or heart rhythm disorder;
- a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;
- kidney disease; or
- if you are allergic to other antifungal medicine (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and others).
The liquid form of fluconazole contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this form of fluconazole if you have a problem digesting sugars or milk.
A single dose of fluconazole taken to treat a vaginal yeast infection is not expected to harm an unborn baby.
Do not take more than 1 dose of fluconazole if you are pregnant. Long-term use of high doses fluconazole can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Fluconazole can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking fluconazole for more than 1 dose.
Fluconazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take fluconazole?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
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 fluconazole with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Use 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 medicine. 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 while using fluconazole.
Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
You may store liquid fluconazole in a refrigerator, but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any leftover liquid medicine that is more than 2 weeks old.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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 taking fluconazole?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
What are the possible side effects of fluconazole?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
- seizure (convulsions);
-
liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- skin rash or skin lesions; or
-
severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Common side effects may include:
- 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 fluconazole?
Certain other drugs can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with fluconazole. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:
- halofantrine;
- prednisone;
- theophylline;
- tofacitinib;
- vitamin A;
- an antidepressant--amitriptyline, nortriptyline;
- other antifungal medicine--amphotericin B or voriconazole;
- blood pressure medicine--hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), losartan, amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, verapamil;
- a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
- cancer medicine--cyclophosphamide, vincristine, vinblastine;
- cholesterol medicine--atorvastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin;
- HIV/AIDS medicine--saquinavir, zidovudine, and others;
- medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection--cyclosporine, tacrolimus or sirolimus;
- narcotic medicine--fentanyl, alfentanil, methadone;
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen;
- oral diabetes medicine--glyburide, tolbutamide, glipizide;
- seizure medicine--carbamazepine, phenytoin; or
- tuberculosis medication--rifampin, rifabutin.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with fluconazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with fluconazole. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluconazole.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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