Drug Name

Diflucan (Fluconazole)

Drug Uses

Diflucan is used for treating and preventing certain yeast and fungal infections. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to use

Use Diflucan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Diflucan by mouth with or without food.
Take Diflucan at least 2 hours before proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole).
To clear up your infection completely, take Diflucan for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
Diflucan works best if it is taken at the same time each day.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Diflucan is an azole antifungal. It kills sensitive fungi by interfering with the formation of the fungal cell membrane.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Diflucan , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store the US product below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Store the Canadian product at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do NOT use Diflucan if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Diflucan
• you are taking astemizole, an aldosterone blocker (eg, eplerenone), cisapride, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), erythromycin, pimozide, a serotonin (5-HT1) receptor agonist (eg, eletriptan), or terfenadine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Diflucan . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a weakened immune system, kidney or liver disease, or an irregular heartbeat
• if you are allergic to other azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Diflucan . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), amiodarone, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, serotonin receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), quinolines (eg, ciprofloxacin), or terfenadine because the risk of severe irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation) may be increased
• Rifabutin because the risk of certain eye problems (eg, uveitis) may be increased
• Macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus) because the risk of kidney problems may be increased
• Rifampin or proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole) because they may decrease Diflucan 's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), buspirone, carbamazepine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine ), haloperidol, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or "statins" (eg, simvastatin), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), methadone, muscarinic antagonists (eg, solifenacin, tolterodine), narcotics (eg, codeine), ramelteon, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Diflucan.

Possible Side Effects

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Changes in taste; dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); diarrhea; scaly, red skin over a large portion of the body; swollen or tender abdomen; vomiting; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

More Information

If you have any questions about Diflucan , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Diflucan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.