Fluconazole

Description

Fluconazole is an anti-fungal medicine. It is used in the treatment of various fungal infections affecting your skin, lungs, mouth, throat, meninges (protective layer covering the brain and spinal cord), etc. It works by stopping the growth of fungi, thus preventing the spread of infections. Fluconazole can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach discomfort, etc. Consult with your doctor if these side effects are persistent and/or getting worse. Avoid activities like driving vehicles or operating machines while taking this medicine as it can occasionally cause dizziness. Fluconazole oral forms can be taken with or without food. Fluconazole injections are administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic. Apply Fluconazole topical forms like gel, lotion, and dusting powder over the infected area of your skin. Your doctor may advise a patch test (a procedure done to see if you are allergic to this medicine or not) before prescribing this medicine. Instill Fluconazole eye and eye/ear drops as instructed by your doctor. Do not stop taking/using this medicine without consulting your doctor as your symptoms could reappear. Fluconazole is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, or any other medical conditions. Report all your current medicines to your doctor before starting the treatment as they can interact with Fluconazole and cause side effects. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Fluconazole

  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Hair loss
  • Seizures
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness

Uses of Fluconazole

What is it prescribed for?

  • Oropharyngeal Candidiasis
  • Oesophageal Candidiasis
  • Cryptococcal Meningitis
  • Vaginal Candidiasis
  • Fungal Urinary Tract Infection
  • Peritonitis
  • Candidemia
  • Prophylaxis of Infections in Special Population
  • Fungal Pneumonia
  • Fungal Eye and Ear Infections
  • Skin fungal infections
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    It is not known when Fluconazole will start its action after administration.
  • Duration of effect
    The average time duration for which Fluconazole remains active in your body is not known.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Fluconazole
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Fluconazole is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Fluconazole is safe for use while breastfeeding. However, avoid taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Allergy

Fluconazole is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

QT Interval Prolonging Drugs

Fluconazole may cause QT prolongation (a condition in which your heart muscles take a longer time to recharge between a heartbeat) in some cases. Hence, this medicine is not recommended for use together with other medicines that may also cause QT prolongation such as Cisapride, Primozide, Quinidine, etc. as it may further worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Fluconazole is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding

Fluconazole is safe for use while breastfeeding. However, avoid taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
General warnings

Skin problems

Fluconazole may cause skin conditions in which you may develop painful rashes and blisters on your skin that ultimately starts to peel off. Hence, consult your doctor if you develop a skin rash during treatment with this medicine.

Heart condition

Fluconazole should be used with caution if you have heart problems as this medicine may cause QT prolongation (a condition in which your heart muscles take a longer time to recharge between a heartbeat). Thus, it may further worsen your condition.

Driving or operating machines

Fluconazole may occasionally cause dizziness or seizures (sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in your brain). Hence, avoid activities like driving or operating machines if you experience such symptoms.

Other medicines and supplements

Fluconazole may interact with other medicines and increase the risk of undesired effects. Hence, inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicine before starting the treatment.

Missed Dose

Oral forms/gel/lotion/dusting powder/eye and/or ear drops: Try not to skip a dose of Fluconazole. Take/administer the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one. Injection: Since Fluconazole is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.

Overdose

Oral forms: Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with Fluconazole. Eye or ear drops/gel/lotion/dusting powder: As Fluconazole is intended for external use, the likelihood of side effects due to an overdose is low. However, do not administer/apply more than the prescribed dose. Injection: Since Fluconazole is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Alprazolam

Atorvastatin

Cisapride

Clopidogrel

Erythromycin

Warfarin

Tretinoin

Disease interactions

Liver Disease

Fluconazole should be used with caution if you have liver problems as this medicine is broken down in your liver. An Impaired liver will not use the medicine properly, leading to increased levels of unused medicine in your blood. It may also cause further liver damage.

Kidney disease

Fluconazole should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as a damaged kidney may lead to accumulation of unused medicine in your body and increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor may suggest another suitable medicine or adjust the dose accordingly based on your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral form (tablet/capsules/dispersible tablet): Take Fluconazole as instructed by your doctor. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose. Take the medicine at around the same time daily. Report any instance of a side effect to your doctor immediately. For suspension, shake the bottle well before use. Injection: Fluconazole injection should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Your doctor will determine an appropriate dose based on your clinical condition. Topical forms: Fluconazole topical forms (gel, lotion, dusting powder, and eye/ear drops) are for external use only. Apply the gel/lotion/powder to the affected areas of your skin as instructed by your doctor. For eye drops, gently pull down your lower eyelid and squeeze 2-3 drops of medicine in your eye. Avoid sharing items like eyeglasses, contact lenses, pillows, towels, clothes, eye or face makeup when you are infected.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Fluconazole works by stopping the growth of fungus and preventing the spread of infection.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Azole antifungals

Schedule

Schedule H

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Fluconazole. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 February 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3365#section=Top>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - FLUCONAZOLE tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 February 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6ebf24fd-41cd-4b3c-8176-a1436253ba2d>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Fluconazole Injection, USP For Intravenous Use Only Rx only. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 February 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9843b969-33e1-4859-8eae-0055bb71d933>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/019949s051lbl.pdf>

How will this medicine affect me?

Consult top doctors online and get an answer now
Consult now
Consult now

Looking for a doctor?

Book an appointment with the top doctors near you
Book now
Book now
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 30 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.