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Fluconazole
(floo-kaa-nuh-zowl)
Fluconazole is an anti-fungal medication that has FDA approval to treat fungal infections throughout the body.
Disclaimer
The content on this page is not medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only. Always consult your health care provider or pharmacist to determine what medication and dosage are right for you.
Last updatedMay 20, 2023
Fluconazole
Fluconazole is a medication that treats different types of fungal infections, such as yeast infections in the vagina, mouth, throat, esophagus, abdomen, lungs, blood, and other organs. It is also used to treat meningitis caused by fungus. Additionally, it can be used to prevent yeast infections in patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy before a bone marrow transplant. Fluconazole belongs to a group of medicines called triazoles, which work by slowing down the growth of the fungi that cause these infections.
Generic name
Rx or OTC
Fluconazole requires a prescription.
Discuss with your doctor
While many patients tolerate fluconazole without any issues, some may experience gastrointestinal symptoms as a side effect. These symptoms can include nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially in children.
There are other possible side effects of fluconazole as well. These can include allergic reactions, liver problems, weakness, muscle pain, fatigue, fever, QT prolongation, a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm called torsade de pointes, seizures, dizziness, vertigo, trouble sleeping, tingling or numbness, drowsiness, tremors, low white blood cell count including low neutrophil count and agranulocytosis, low platelet count, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, low potassium levels, problems with bile flow, dry mouth, indigestion, changes in taste, skin rashes, skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, hair loss, and dry lips.
Fluconazole can also affect the production of certain hormones in the body, leading to temporary adrenal insufficiency. It may also cause mild-to-moderate elevations in liver enzymes, which can be reversible. In rare cases, fluconazole can cause liver injury, which can be associated with symptoms like fever, rash, and an increase in eosinophils. Most patients recover from liver injury after stopping fluconazole, but it can take several months. It is important to avoid using fluconazole again if liver injury has occurred.
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What is Fluconazole?
Fluconazole belongs to a group of antifungal medications called triazoles, which are widely used to combat fungal infections. It has received approval from the FDA for the treatment of various types of Candida infections, such as vaginal candidiasis, candidiasis affecting the throat and esophagus, urinary tract infections, peritonitis, and systemic Candida infections like candidemia, disseminated candidiasis, pneumonia, and cryptococcal meningitis. Additionally, it is known that taking fluconazole as a preventive measure can lower the occurrence of candidiasis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation and receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Tablets
For vaginal candidiasis, a single oral dose of 150 mg is recommended. In other cases like oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis, you'll start with 200 mg on the first day, followed by 100 mg once a day. For treating Candida peritonitis and urinary tract infections, daily doses of 50 to 200 mg are used.
Side effects
Disclaimer
Medications may affect individuals differently. Usage of any medication may include side effects and other interactions. Here is a list of known common side effects and interactions. This list is not exhaustive -- there may be other side effects or interactions for this medication that are not listed here. In some cases, the likelihood of side effects or interactions may increase depending on dosage. It’s important to keep in mind that in extreme cases, other serious side effects, even death, may occur. Always consult your health care provider or pharmacist to determine what medication and dosage is right for you.
Fluconazole interactions
Disclaimer
Medications may affect individuals differently. Usage of any medication may include side effects and other interactions. Here is a list of known common side effects and interactions. This list is not exhaustive -- there may be other side effects or interactions for this medication that are not listed here. In some cases, the likelihood of side effects or interactions may increase depending on dosage. It’s important to keep in mind that in extreme cases, other serious side effects, even death, may occur. Always consult your health care provider or pharmacist to determine what medication and dosage is right for you.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications or supplements
Fluconazole should not be used if the patient has a known allergy to the drug or any of its ingredients. It is important to be careful when giving fluconazole to patients who have conditions that can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Also, combining fluconazole with certain medications that can prolong the QT interval or are processed by the CYP3A4 enzyme is not recommended.
The oral suspension form of fluconazole contains sugar (sucrose), so patients with specific conditions like hereditary fructose intolerance, glucose/galactose malabsorption, or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency should be cautious.
Occasionally, fluconazole can cause dizziness or seizures, so it's important to be cautious when driving or operating machinery. Patients should exercise caution and be aware of any potential effects on their ability to drive or operate machinery.
Tell your doctor if you have any of these pre-existing conditions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that high doses of fluconazole taken during the first trimester of pregnancy may have a rare chance of causing certain birth defects in babies. This risk is not associated with a single low dose. Because of this, fluconazole is classified as a former FDA Category D for pregnancy. Studies have shown that high doses of fluconazole during pregnancy can increase the risk of cleft palate, bowed tibia and femur, brachycephaly, and musculoskeletal malformations and congenital heart defects. Healthcare providers should avoid prescribing fluconazole to pregnant women, unless there is a life-threatening fungal infection and the benefits of the medication outweigh the potential risks to the baby.
According to the information provided by the manufacturer, doctors should be careful when giving fluconazole to a woman who is breastfeeding. Fluconazole is considered safe for breastfeeding mothers because the amount of the medication that passes into breast milk is lower than what a newborn baby would receive. Because of this, doctors often prescribe fluconazole to treat recurring yeast infections in breastfeeding mothers. The recommended treatment for breast yeast infection is a one-time dose of 400 mg, followed by a daily dose of 200 mg for at least two weeks.
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References
Govindarajan A, Bistas KG, Ingold CJ, et al. Fluconazole. [Updated 2023 Feb 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537158/