About Diflucan
Diflucan is an antifungal medication of the azole (triazole) class,
and is used to treat systemic yeast or fungal infections. By disrupting
key cellular processes in yeast and fungus, Diflucan slows growth
and reproduction of yeast or fungal cells in low doses. With higher
doses, Diflucan will destroy yeast and fungal cells directly. Diflucan
is highly effective, but may interact with treatments for other
conditions.
Conditions for which Diflucan has been found effective:
- Vaginal yeast infection (one dose treatment)
- Candida (yeast) infection of the esophagus, mouth, or throat
(oral thrush)
- Systemic Candida infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis),
kidneys, lungs, or urinary tract
- Certain fungal eye infections
- Fungal infection of the blood (septicemia)
- Preventive measure against Candida infection in patients with
AIDS, cancer, low white blood cell counts, and people using steroid
treatment
- Ringworm on the face, hand, or scalp
- Treatment for Aspergillus pneumonia
- Treatment for cryptococcal meningitis
- Preventive measure against fungal infection in bone marrow,
kidney, and liver transplant patients
Diflucan Side Effects
Diflucan side effects are uncommon, but may occur. If any symptoms
become severe, or persist, inform your doctor. If you are concerned
about a serious, or allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately.
Common Diflucan Side Effects: decreased appetite, diarrhea,
dizziness, fatigue, headache, stomach upset, nausea or vomiting.
If any of these become severe, contact your doctor.
Rare Diflucan Side Effects: abnormal bleeding or bruising,
dark urine, itching or rash, pale stools, seizure, vomiting, yellowing
of skin or eyes. If any of these occur, seek medical attention immediately.
Reversible hair loss has occurred in rare cases with high doses
taken for over two months; it is far less frequent with low, or
normal, dosages.
Allergic Reaction: dermatitis, rash or itching, liver damage
(yellow skin or eyes, general feeling of illness). You will have
to stop taking Diflucan if these symptoms occur.
Cautions: Inform your doctor of any of the following conditions,
or any history of them. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage,
or consider another treatment. Diflucan may not be right for some
people.
- Active liver disease - Do not take Diflucan.
- Alcohol abuse - May be at an increased risk for liver damage.
- Allergies - If you have had an allergic reaction to this medication
in the past, such as a skin rash, you should not take it. If you
have ever had an allergic reaction to Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole),
Monistat (miconazole), Nizoral (ketoconazole), Sporanox (itraconazole),
or any other -azole antifungal, alert your doctor.
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice - Do not use this medication
within an hour of taking any grapefruit juice, and avoid grapefruit
for at least an hour after taking Diflucan.
- Impaired kidney or liver function - Your doctor will want to
decrease your dose according to your individual needs.
- Low blood potassium - Diflucan may cause or worsen this condition
in leukemia patients. This is very rare.
- Other medications - It is very important that your doctor be
aware of all other prescription and over the counter medications
you may be taking.
Diflucan Interactions
Diflucan may interact with other prescription or over the counter
medications you may be taking. Some medications should not be mixed
with Diflucan at all, and some may require dosing adjustments if
the two medications will be taken together. Inform your doctor of
all the medications you use, especially if you have multiple physicians,
or are being treated for other conditions.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Anacin, etc.) - Long-term, high
dose use, combined with Diflucan treatment may increase
the risk of liver damage.
- Alcohol - Diflucan does not interact with alcohol, but
heavy drinking during your treatment may make you more susceptible
to liver damage. Discuss alcohol intake with your doctor.
- Aldomet (methyldopa) - Increased risk of liver damage.
- Ambien (zolpidem)
- Toxicity may occur if Ambien dosage is not lowered.
- Amphotec, etc. (amphotericin B) - Diflucan may make this
medication less effective.
- Anabolic Steroids - Increased risk of liver toxicity.
- Antabuse (disulfiram) - Increased risk of liver toxicity.
- Antacids such as Pepcid (famotidine), Prilosec (omeprazole),
Tagamet (cimetidine),
or Zantac (ranitidine), may decrease the effectiveness of
Diflucan, and should not be taken within 2 hours of each
other.
- Antidepressants - Some of these may decrease the effectiveness
of Diflucan treatment. Speak to your doctor about managing
any potential interaction to be sure that your infection
is treated properly.
- Antidiabetic medications (oral) may have their effects
increased by Diflucan, causing hypoglycemia. Have your blood
sugar levels watched carefully.
- Antihistamines - These medications may decrease the effectiveness
of Diflucan.
- Antiseizure medication like Cerebyx (fosphenytoin), Depakote
(divalproex, valproic acid), or Dilantin
(phenytoin) may build up to toxic levels, monitoring
is advised.
- Asthma medication - Speak to a doctor or pharmacist about
possible interactions with your asthma treatment.
- AZT, Retrovir (zidovudine) - Toxicity may occur if zidovudine
dosage is not lowered.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic
agents, and muscle relaxants) - These include Ativan
(lorazepam), Valium
(diazepam), Halcion
(triazolam), Restoril
(temazepam), Librium
(chlordiazepoxide), Xanax
(alprazolam), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam),
ProSom (estazolam), Klonopin
(clonazepam), and others. Diflucan may lead to a buildup
of these drugs; your doctor may want to lower your dose.
In some cases, toxicity may result.
- Calcium channel blockers - Medications like Bepadin (bepridil),
Calan (verapamil), Cardene
(nicardipine), Cardizem
(diltiazem), DynaCirc (isradipine), Norvasc
(amlodipine), Nimotop (nimodipine), Plendil (felodipine),
Procardia (nifedipine),
or Sibelium (flunarizine) may build up in the body.
- Celebrex (celecoxib)
or Vioxx (rofecoxib) - Effects
of these Cox II inhibitors may be increased, as Diflucan
will interfere with their removal from the body.
- Claritin (loratidine) - Blood levels of this medication
may be increased, lower doses are recommended.
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- Unwanted bleeding may occur, dosage adjustments are suggested.
- Cozaar (Losartan) - This medication may become less effective
at controlling blood pressure when taken with Diflucan.
- Esidrix, etc. (hydrochlorothiazide) - May result in greater
potassium loss in combination with Diflucan.
- Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
may decrease the effectiveness of Diflucan.
- Hismanal (astemizole) - This combination may be fatally
toxic to the heart, though this medication is no longer
sold in the US.
- Hormones (androgens or estrogens) Increased risk of liver
toxicity.
- Lanoxin (digoxin) concentrations
may be increased, resulting in toxic buildup.
- Mexate (methotrexate) increases the risk of liver damage
from Diflucan.
- Mycobutin (rifabutin)
- Neoral, Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - Effects may be increased.
- Neutrexin (trimetrexate) - Effects may be increased.
- Norflex, Norgesic (orphenadrine) - May decrease Diflucan's
effectiveness.
- Norvir (ritonavir) may build up in the body when taken
with Diflucan.
- Oral Contraceptives - Diflucan makes birth control pills
less effective. Discuss alternate methods of pregnancy prevention
with your gynecologist, as you may become unintentionally
pregnant if you rely on oral contraception while taking
Diflucan.
- Prograf (tacrolimus) and Rapamune (serolimus) - Effects
may be increased, Diflucan dosage may need to be adjusted.
- Propulsid (cisapride) - This drug combination could cause
irregular heartbeat or other heart problems. Do not combine
these medications.
- Rifadin, Rimactane, etc. (rifampin) may decrease the effectiveness
of Diflucan.
- Ritalin (methylphenidate)may
decrease the effectiveness of Diflucan.
- Seldane (terfenadine) - This combination may be toxic
to the heart, though this medication is no longer sold in
the US.
- Seroquel (quetiapine) - May build up to toxic levels when
combined with Diflucan.
- Statins, also HMG-CoA inhibitors such as Lipitor
(atorvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), or Zocor (simvastatin),
may result in muscle toxicity in combination with Diflucan.
- Tikosyn (dofetilide) - Effects may be increased.
- Tranquilizers such as Trilafon (perphenazine), Mellaril
(thioridazine), or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may increase
the risk of liver toxicity.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants - These include Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor
(nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine).
Diflucan may increase the effects of these medications,
and your doctor may want to lower your dose.
- Vitamin supplement - Speak to your doctor about possible
interactions.
Diflucan Dosages
Diflucan is available in the following forms and dosages:
- Injection - 2 mg/ml
- Oral Suspension - 10 mg/5 ml, 40 mg/5 ml
- Tablets - 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
The following dosage suggestions are general guidelines. Your doctor
may need to adjust your dosage after taking into account other medications
you may be using or certain physical conditions like kidney impairment.
The oral form of this medication is absorbed completely enough that
there is no difference between oral and intravenous dosing.
Dosages: For vaginal yeast infection, one 150 mg tablet, taken
orally. For meningitis, 400 mg daily until the condition improves,
and 200-400 mg every day after for up to 12 weeks after testing
negative for infection. For candida infections of the esophagus,
mouth, and throat, take 200-400 mg the first day, and 100 mg daily
for 2-3 weeks after symptoms have gone away. For systemic yeast
infections, take 400 mg per day for 4 weeks, or until symptoms clear
up, and continue treatment and dosage for at least 2 more weeks.
If you require a maintenance or preventive dose of Diflucan every
day, your doctor will determine the amount individually.
Diflucan Directions
Do not increase your dose of Diflucan without instructions from
your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember,
unless it is almost time for your next dose. Skip the missed dose
of Diflucan and resume your regular schedule. Do not take double
doses of this medication. This medication may be taken with meals
or on its own, tablets may be crushed over food. Do not take with
grapefruit juice, or have grapefruit within an hour of taking your
medication.
For the oral suspension form of Diflucan be sure to use a measuring
spoon, not a regular spoon, to measure your doses. Shake before
each use to ensure accurate dosing. Do not allow the oral solution,
or injectable forms of Diflucan to freeze. Liquid medication should
not be kept longer than 14 days.
Take Diflucan for as long as your doctor prescribes. Do not stop
taking it until your doctor advises you to do so, even if you feel
better. It may take an additional two to four weeks (perhaps several
months for some cases) after the symptoms of infection subside to
rid your body of the yeast or fungus completely. A fungal infection
may return if you don't take the full prescribed course of the medication.
For individuals on a preventive maintenance dose of Diflucan, continue
to take this medication for as long as your doctor suggests is necessary.
Store Diflucan away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry
location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other
areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration
date.
Keep Diflucan away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication.
Diflucan and Pregnancy
Diflucan has not been adequately studied for its effects on pregnant
and nursing women and their infants. If you are pregnant, or planning
to become pregnant, you and your doctor must consider the potential
risks and benefits of Diflucan treatment. This medication should
only be used if your doctor thinks it is absolutely necessary.
Diflucan is passed through breast milk, so it should not be combined
with breastfeeding. Either suspend breastfeeding, or do not use
Diflucan.
Diflucan and Children
Children under 13 will be prescribed a dosage based on their weight
and the type of infection being treated. Safety for individuals
under 13 years of age has not been fully established.
Diflucan and Seniors
There are no differences in dosage for individuals over 60 years
of age.
Seniors may, however, be more prone to kidney impairment. For this
condition, your doctor will prescribe a lower dosage based on individual
needs.
Diflucan is a trademark of Pfizer
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The information contained in this document is provided for educational purposes
and information only. It is not a
substitute for consultation with a physician or Health professional, either to diagnose
symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general
guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or
pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to
ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor,
physician or Health professional can say
if a medication, a drug alternative or drug combination, is safe for you. Information
intended for US residents only.
Diflucan Abstract
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