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What is the most important information I should know about
fluconazole?
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Do not take fluconazole if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid).
Combined with cisapride (Propulsid), fluconazole could cause serious,
even fatal, heart problems. |
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In rare cases, fluconazole has caused severe liver damage,
sometimes resulting in death. Notify your doctor immediately if you
develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of
appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, or clay colored
stools. These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. |
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In rare cases, fluconazole has also caused severe skin rash,
sometimes resulting in death. Notify your doctor immediately fi you
develop a rash while taking fluconazole. |
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Take all of the fluconazole that has been prescribed for you
even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve
before the infection is completely treated. |
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Fluconazole is an antifungal medication. It is used to treat
fungal infections. |
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Fluconazole is used to treat yeast infections of the mouth,
throat, and esophagus; vaginal yeast infections; fungal urinary tract
infections; pneumonia caused by yeast; and fungal infections throughout
the whole body and in the blood. Fluconazole is also used to prevent
fungal infections from occurring in people with suppressed immune
systems such as cancer chemotherapy patients, organ transplant patients,
and AIDS patients. |
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Fluconazole may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
fluconazole?
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• |
Do not take fluconazole if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid).
Combined with cisapride (Propulsid), fluconazole could cause serious,
even fatal, heart problems. |
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Before taking fluconazole, 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 fluconazole, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment. |
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Fluconazole 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 fluconazole without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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Fluconazole passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a
nursing baby. For this reason, fluconazole 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. |
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How should I take fluconazole?
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Take fluconazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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A single dose of this medication is often used to treat vaginal
yeast infections. |
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In multiple-dose therapy, a double dose of fluconazole is often
taken on the first day of treatment to quickly get the proper amount of
medicine into the body. Follow your doctor's directions. |
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Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that
you get the correct dose, measure the suspension using a dose-measuring
spoon, cup, or dropper, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. |
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It is important to take fluconazole regularly to get the most
benefit. |
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Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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The suspension can be stored at room temperature or in the
refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Throw away any unused suspension
after 14 days. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time
for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next
regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this
medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
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Symptoms of a fluconazole overdose include confusion, hallucinations,
paranoia, decreased movement, decreased breathing, tearing eyes,
drooling, urinary incontinence, seizures, and death. |
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What should I avoid while taking fluconazole?
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Avoid alcohol or use it in moderation while taking fluconazole.
Alcohol and fluconazole can both affect the liver. |
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Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities.
Fluconazole may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid
these activities. |
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What are the possible side effects of fluconazole?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking fluconazole and seek emergency medical attention or contact your
doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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liver damage (pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal
pain, unusual fatigue, or dark urine); or |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. If you
experience any of the following side effects, continue taking
fluconazole and talk to your doctor: |
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nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; |
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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. |
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What other drugs will affect fluconazole?
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Do not take fluconazole if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid).
Combined with cisapride (Propulsid), fluconazole could cause serious,
even fatal, heart problems. |
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Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any
other medicines, especially any of the following: |
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an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta,
Micronase, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase),
chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and others; |
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phenytoin (Dilantin, others); |
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cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); |
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a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan),
alprazolam (Xanax), estazolam (ProSom) and others; |
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rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); or |
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theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin,
Slo-Phyllin, others); or |
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You may not be able to take fluconazole, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any
of the medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
fluconazole or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including
vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about fluconazole written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 12/
17/ 04. |
