Diflucan

The active ingredient in Diflucan is Fluconazole an azole antifungal drug that prevents the fungus from producing a protective covering. This prevents the fungus from growing or surviving.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Diflucan. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Diflucan:

• The dose will vary depending on the infection being treated. Vaginal infections are commonly treated with a single medication. For other infections, your initial dose may be double. Carefully follow your doctor's directions.
• You can take Diflucan with or without food.
• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Use the included dosing syringe or a pharmaceutical dose-measuring instrument (not a kitchen spoon).
• Even if your symptoms resolve rapidly, continue to take Diflucan for the full duration suggested. Skipping doses increases your risk of developing a drug-resistant infection. Fluconazole does not treat viral infections like the flu or the common cold.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or worsen.

The most common side effects of Diflucan seen in clinical trials as compared to placebo include:

• Headache and nausea.
• Stomach pain.
• Diarrhea.
• Dizziness.
• Changes to taste or loss of appetite.
• Skin rash.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Diflucan. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Symptoms of liver damage include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and pale stool.
• Serious allergic reactions or cutaneous reactions: hives, rash, blisters, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, skin reddening, scaling, and itching.
• Abnormal cardiac rhythm (QT prolongation): chest pounding, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or lightheadedness.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Diflucan. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Diflucan, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Certain other drugs, including cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine, astemizole, higher dosages of terfenadine, and many other medications that are broken down by enzymes blocked by fluconazole, might have undesired or serious side effects when used with Diflucan. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all of the medications you are currently taking as well as any new medications you begin or discontinue.
• Before taking Diflucan, inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, a heart rhythm abnormality, or a history of Long QT syndrome.
• Take this medication for the full duration of the prescription. Your symptoms may improve before the virus is fully resolved. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of developing another infection that is resistant to antifungal medicines.
• Liver disease/liver problems or kidney disease.
• Low levels of potassium in your blood.
• Heart problems
• Allergies to other antifungal medicine (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and others).
• Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you have any serious side effects, including symptoms of your adrenal glands not working effectively (such as loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, and weight loss).
• Diflucan will increase the level or effect of losartan by affecting hepatic enzyme CYP2C9/10 metabolism.

Contraindications are certain health problems or situations in which a person should avoid taking a drug for safety reasons. If you have any of the below conditions or if any of the following apply to you, please notify your healthcare professional since Fluconazole (Diflucan) is not safe for you to use.

• Taking some drugs that can lengthen the QT interval (the time when your heart resets after each pump)

The length of time it takes Diflucan to function is determined by several factors, including the type of illness being treated and its severity. For example, if you're taking Diflucan to treat a vaginal yeast infection, your symptoms should resolve within 1-3 days. However, if you're taking Diflucan for oral thrush, you may need to continue medication for several days before seeing any results. Even if you begin to feel better, continue taking Diflucan for the duration prescribed by your doctor. Stopping medication too soon can make your infection worse or more difficult to treat.

When Diflucan is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Certain antibiotics (rifabutin, rifampin), antifungal, or antiviral medicine (saquinavir or zidovudine).
• Blood thinners such as warfarin.
• Certain cancer medications such as cyclophosphamide vincristine, vinblastine, olaparib, or ibrutinib.
• Cholesterol medications such as atorvastatin.
• Oral diabetes medicine like glipizide or glyburide.
• Blood pressure medication.
• Medication for malaria or tuberculosis.
• Medication to prevent organ transplant rejection (such as sirolimus, tacrolimus, or cyclosporine) or for bone marrow transplant.
• Seizure medications such as carbamazepine and phenytoin.
• Medications to treat depression or mental illness like nortriptyline or amitriptyline.
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen or celecoxib.
• Steroid medication like prednisone.- Other medications such as abrocitinib, lemborexant, cisapride, fentanyl, methadone, alfentanil, pimozide, tolvaptan, tofacitinib, amiodarone, theophylline, or vitamin A supplements.

Diflucan Dose for Adults

Diflucan dose and treatment duration are determined by the kind and severity of the illness. A single 150 mg dose is typically used to treat vaginal yeast infections. For oral, throat, or esophageal infections, take 200 mg on the first day, then 100 mg every day for at least two weeks. Whole-body infections can require up to 400 mg each day, although UTIs and peritonitis commonly require 50-200 mg per day. The standard dose for fungal infection prevention is 400 mg per day. Cryptococcal meningitis is treated with 400 mg on the first day, then 200 mg daily for several months.

Diflucan Dosage For Children

A pediatrician determines the appropriate doses for children based on their weight and age. For oral, throat, or esophageal infections, administer 6 mg/kg on the first day, followed by 3 mg/kg daily for at least two weeks. Whole-body infections may necessitate an initial dose of 25 mg/kg, followed by 9-12 mg/kg per day. Cryptococcal meningitis treatment often begins with 12 mg/kg on the first day, followed by 6 mg/kg per day for several months.

People with kidney difficulties may require different doses. Diflucan is also available as an intravenous (IV) injection, which is delivered by healthcare experts in specific instances.

For a missed dose, use the medication as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not use two dosages at the same time.

Store the medication at room temperature and out of reach of children.

Pfizer is the pharmaceutical company that makes Diflucan.

There are several lower-cost generics available with the active ingredient of fluconazole.

Do not discontinue taking Diflucan without consulting with your healthcare provider. If you stop taking Diflucan too soon, your infection may reappear within a short period.

HCPs will often avoid providing Diflucan to pregnant patients unless they have a significant infection that cannot be treated with a safer choice. Research indicates that taking high dosages of Diflucan regularly during pregnancy can harm unborn babies, therefore, use effective birth control/contraceptives to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication and for at least one week following the last dosage. While the risk is not associated with a single 150 mg dose of Diflucan for vaginal yeast infections, it is not recommended during pregnancy due to potential damage. If you have any questions regarding Diflucan and pregnancy, see your healthcare provider.

Diflucan is also used to treat fungal illnesses in newborns, and it has an excellent safety profile. As a result, there is no need to discontinue breastfeeding if you are being treated with Diflucan.