Fluconazole

Fluconazole is an azole antifungal medication used to treat vaginal yeast infections.

If you are prescribed more than one dose and you miss it, contact your doctor for instructions.

Take this medication by mouth usually as a one-time only dose, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. This medication comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have about this medicine. If your condition does not improve after 5 days or worsens, contact your doctor.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medication because a very serious interaction may occur: cisapride. If you are currently using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting fluconazole. Many drugs besides fluconazole may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), among others. Therefore, before using fluconazole, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal drugs you may use, especially of: rifamycins (e.g., rifabutin, rifampin), warfarin. Fluconazole can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, thereby affecting how they work. These affected drugs include amitriptyline, certain drugs that affect the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus), certain calcium channel blockers (e.g., felodipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine), eplerenone, certain "statin" cholesterol medications (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin), celecoxib, certain drugs to treat diabetes (glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide), certain benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam), certain anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin), zidovudine. This is not a complete list. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: hallucinations, mental/mood changes.

Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungal drugs (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease. Fluconazole may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (see also Drug Interactions section). Before using fluconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death). Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using fluconazole safely. Although uncommon, this drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Because kidney function can decrease with age, use caution in the elderly as they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Fluconazole passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

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. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset/pain, headache, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe dizziness, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat. This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. If you notice any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.