Fluconazole
About
Fluconazole belongs to the class of medicines called 'antifungals' used to treat a broad range of infections caused due to fungi and yeast. A fungal infection is caused when a fungus invades and affects any part of the body, including the mouth, throat, oesophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and blood.
Fluconazole contains ‘Fluconazole’ that kills or prevents fungi or yeast by inhibiting an enzyme in fungi responsible for its normal fat metabolism, which interferes with the formation of the fungal cell membrane. As a result, fungal or yeast cells get killed or their growth is minimized.
Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Fluconazole has common side effects like headache, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach upset, dizziness, stomach pain, and altered food tastes. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Fluconazole or any of its components. Let your doctor know if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems before starting Fluconazole. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting Fluconazole. It is advised to avoid alcohol intake while using Fluconazole to prevent any undesirable effects.
Uses of Fluconazole
Medicinal Benefits
Fluconazole works by killing the fungus/yeast and preventing its growth by inhibiting the fungal cell membrane formation. It is used to treat various fungal or yeast infections, such as vaginal candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush, oral thrush), esophageal candidiasis (candida esophagitis), candida infections (urinary tract infections, peritonitis), and cryptococcal meningitis. Besides this, Fluconazole is also used to prevent candidiasis and coccidioidomycosis in patients who receive cancer or radiation treatment while undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Fluconazole is effective in treating soft tissue and pulmonary infections when compared to other azole antifungal drugs.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Fluconazole
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Altered food tastes
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Please inform your doctor if you use any prescription, or non-prescription medicines, including vitamin and herbal supplements before using Fluconazole. Do not use Fluconazole if you are allergic to Fluconazole or any of its components. Let your doctor know if you have any liver, kidney, or heart problems before starting Fluconazole. This medicine may not be suitable for some people who have a weakened immune system, diabetes, cancer, or low blood magnesium or potassium levels; however, please seek medical advice. Pregnant or lactating women should consult the doctor before taking the Fluconazole. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness or other side effects that may affect your mental ability to drive. Avoid alcohol consumption along with Fluconazole to avoid undesirable effects
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Fluconazole may interact with drugs treating mental illness (pimozide, quetiapine), anti-depressants (reboxetine), antibiotics (erythromycin), migraine treating drugs (ergotamine), heart related drugs (amiodarone), blood thinners (warfarin), fits medicines (carbamazepine), blood pressure-lowering agents (losartan), cholesterol-lowering drugs, and anti-diabetic drugs (metformin).
Drug-Food Interaction: There are no studies indicating food interactions with Fluconazole. However, it is advised to take non-starchy vegetables and gluten-free foods and limit alcohol and caffeine intake.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking Fluconazole if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, heart diseases, liver or kidney problems, blood disorders like acute porphyria, and low levels of magnesium and potassium.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advisable to avoid or limit the intake of alcohol while you use Fluconazole.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to conceive before starting Fluconazole.
Breast Feeding
cautionFluconazole should be used with caution and only under a doctor's advice if you are a lactating mother. Please seek medical advice for more information.
Driving
cautionFluconazole may sometimes cause dizziness or other side effects that may affect your mental ability to drive. Hence do not drive or operate machinery if you are not mentally alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases when you are prescribed Fluconazole.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed Fluconazole.
Children
cautionFluconazole may be prescribed to children by the doctor, depending on the infection. The doctor decides the right dose for a child based on his/her age and weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid frequent douching to maintain the natural moisture in the vagina.
- Use mild soap while taking baths and prefer warm baths.
- Avoid harsh products on your skin.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
- It is advisable to follow a candida diet during yeast infections. This diet excludes sugar, gluten, certain dairy products, and alcohol, and includes low-sugar fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and gluten-free foods.
- A very-high sugar or high-carbohydrate diet may increase the count of Candida in some people.
Special Advise
It is advised to reach out to your doctor if the infection symptoms persist or worsen after two weeks of treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Fungal infection occurs when a fungus enters, infects, and multiplies in the body. Fungi can live in water, soil, air, and plants. Fungi affect any part of the body, including the mouth, throat, oesophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and blood. Mild fungal skin infections are common and can cause rashes. Fungal infections affecting body organs like the lungs can cause flu or tuberculosis. Some fungal diseases like cryptococcal meningitis and blood infections can be fatal. A few common fungal infections are yeast infections that affect the genital area, oesophagus, and urinary tract caused by the species Candida.
FAQs
Fluconazole contains Fluconazole, an antifungal drug, which works by killing the fungus/yeast and preventing its growth by inhibiting the fungal cell membrane formation. Thus, it treats fungal infections.
Do not stop using Fluconazole even if you feel better until the doctor's advised course is finished. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured.
The usual recommendation of dosage for Fluconazole can be for a short time. However, your doctor may prescribe it for a longer time, depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Fluconazole may not be suitable for some people who have a weakened immune system, diabetes, cancer, or low blood magnesium or potassium levels. However, it is advised to seek a doctor's advice before starting Fluconazole if you have a previous medical history.
