Drug Uses

Diflucan is indicated for the treatment of:
-Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections due to Candida).
-Oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis.
-Cryptococcal meningitis.
Diflucan is also indicated to decrease the incidence of candidiasis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation who receive cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

How Taken

Diflucan comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Diflucan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Continue to take Diflucan even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Diflucan without talking to your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not take Diflucan if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid). Combined with cisapride (Propulsid), Diflucan could cause serious, even fatal, heart problems. Before taking Diflucan, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially kidney disease, or if you take other medicines. You may not be able to take Diflucan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment. Diflucan is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Diflucan without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Diflucan passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby. For this reason, Diflucan should not be taken by nursing mothers. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Diflucan and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); liver damage (pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, or dark urine); or a rash. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. If you experience any of the following side effects, continue taking Diflucan and talk to your doctor: nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; diarrhea; headache; dizziness; fatigue; or itching. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage

Store tablets below 86°F (30°C). Protect from freezing. Diflucan injections in Viaflex Plus plastic containers are available in both sodium chloride and dextrose diluents. Store between 77°F (25°C) and 41°F (5°C). Brief exposure up to 104°F (40°C) does not adversely affect the product. Protect from freezing.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a Diflucan overdose include confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, decreased movement, decreased breathing, tearing eyes, drooling, urinary incontinence, seizures, and death.

More Information

Avoid alcohol or use it in moderation while taking Diflucan. Alcohol and Diflucan can both affect the liver. Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities. Diflucan may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.

Other info about Diflucan at Wikipedia.org and other resources:

DIFLUCAN (Fluconazole) Tablet [PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.]
Updated Date: May 4, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

DIFLUCAN (Fluconazole) Tablet DIFLUCAN (Fluconazole) Powder, For Suspension DIFLUCAN (Fluconazole) Solution [Roerig]
Updated Date: Dec 30, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

FDA warns fluconazole in early pregnancy may cause birth defects
FDA issued a warning this week that chronic high doses (400 mg/day to 800 mg/day) of fluconazole (Diflucan) during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with specific birth defects in infants. However, the risk does not appear to be associated with a single, low dose of fluconazole (150 mg), which is used to treat vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis), according to the Safety Alert released August 3. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Birth Defects Linked to Fluconazole Prompt Change in Pregnancy Category
The antifungal medication fluconazole, which is marketed as Diflucan, has been linked to rare birth defects in infants whose mothers were treated with high doses of the drug -- 400 mg to 800 mg per day -- for long periods during the first trimester of pregnancy. The FDA has responded by changing the pregnancy category for most fluconazole indications from category C to category D. (Source: AAFP Health of the Public)

Fluconazole in early pregnancy may cause birth defects, FDA warns
FDA issued a warning last week that chronic high doses (400 mg/day to 800 mg/day) of fluconazole (Diflucan) during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with specific birth defects in infants. However, according to the Safety Alert released August 3, the risk does not appear to be associated with the single low dose of fluconazole (150 mg) that is used to treat vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis). (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Please support the <a href="http://www.doctorsinchains.org/" target="_blank">Doctors In Chains</a> campaign for the <a href="http://www.doctorsinchains.org/">medics</a> tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in <a href="http://www.doctorsinchains.org/">Bahrain</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23FreeDoctors">#FreeDoctors</a></p></div>