Diflucan

Generic name: Fluconazole

Fluconazole oral suspension or tablets

What are fluconazole oral suspension or tablets?

FLUCONAZOLE (Diflucan®) is an antifungal type of antibiotic. It treats serious fungal infections found throughout the body. These include oral candidiasis or thrush infections of the mouth or throat, vaginal yeast infections, candidal infection of the urinary tract, meningitis, and others.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• other chronic illness
• an unusual or allergic reaction to fluconazole, other azole medicines (used to treat fungal or yeast infections), or other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take fluconazole oral suspension or tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. If taking the oral suspension, shake it well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure the oral suspension. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. You can take the oral suspension or tablets with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your health care professional even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with fluconazole?

• bosentan
• cilostazol
• cisapride
• cyclosporine
• dofetilide
• doxercalciferol
• certain medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping
• medicines for diabetes that are taken by mouth
• medicines for high cholesterol such as atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin
• medicines for yeast or fungal infections
• paricalcitol
• phenytoin
• pimozide
• ramelteon
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• tacrolimus
• terfenadine
• warfarin
• water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking fluconazole?

Stop taking this medication immediately and report these side effects to your prescriber or health care professional right away:

• fainting or falling spells
• irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• dark yellow or brown urine
• dizziness
• light-colored stools (bowel movements)
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• skin rash, itching
• stomach pain
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• headache
• loss of appetite or changes in how food tastes
• nausea

What should I watch for while taking fluconazole?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in a few weeks. Some fungal infections need many weeks or months of treatment to cure. Keep taking your medicine regularly for as long as your prescriber or health care professional tells you to.

If you are taking this medicine for a long time you must visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular blood and liver function tests.

Alcohol can increase possible damage to your liver. Do not take alcoholic drinks while you take this medicine.

If you have a vaginal infection, do not have sex until you have finished your treatment. Your clothing may get soiled if you have a vaginal discharge. You can wear a sanitary napkin; do not use tampons. Wear freshly washed cotton, not synthetic, panties.

Fluconazole has been associated with birth defects when given at high doses early in a pregnancy. If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell you prescriber or health care professional immediately. Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while taking fluconazole.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature below 30°C (86°F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.