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Why is Diflucan
prescribed?
Diflucan is used to treat
pneumonia, meningitis, and
fungal infections of the mouth,
throat, liver, kidneys, heart,
urinary tract, and abdomen. It
also has been used to treat
vaginal infections and oral
thrush in certain patients.
Fluconazole is sometimes
prescribed for other uses; ask
your doctor or pharmacist for
more information.
How should Diflucan be
used?
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 Fluconazole without
talking to your doctor.
What special precautions
should I follow?
Before taking diflucan,
- tell your doctor and
pharmacist if you are allergic
to Diflucan or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and
pharmacist what prescription and
nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially
anticoagulants ('blood
thinners') such as warfarin
(Coumadin), antiviral agents
such as zidovudine (Retrovir,
AZT), astemizole (Hismanal),
asthma medication, cisapride
(Propulsid), cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune), didanosine
(DDI), hydrochlorothiazide
(HCTZ), medications for stomach
problems such as cimetidine
(Tagamet), oral contraceptives,
oral medicine for diabetes,
phenytoin (Dilantin), rifabutin
(Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin,
Rimactane), tacrolimus
(Prograf), terfenadine
(Seldane), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have
or have ever had kidney or liver
disease or a history of alcohol
abuse.
- tell your doctor if you are
pregnant, plan to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
If you become pregnant while
taking Diflucan, call your
doctor.
- tell your doctor if you drink
alcohol.
What should I do if I
forget a 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.
What side effects can
Diflucan cause?
Although side effects from
Fluconazole are not common, they
can occur. Tell your doctor if
any of these symptoms are severe
or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- loss of appetite
- altered taste
- diarrhea or loose stools
- headache
- dizziness
- fatigue
If you experience any of the
following symptoms, call your
doctor immediately:
- rash
- itching
- vomiting
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- dark urine
- pale stools
What storage conditions
are needed for Diflucan?
Keep Fluconazole in the container
it came in, tightly closed, and
out of reach of children. Store
it at room temperature and away
from excess heat and moisture
(not in the bathroom). Throw
away any medication that is
outdated or no longer needed.
Throw away any unused liquid
medication after 14 days. Talk
to your pharmacist about the
proper disposal of your
medication.
What other information
should I know?
Keep all appointments with your
doctor and the laboratory. Your
doctor will order certain lab
tests to check your response to
Diflucan. Do not let anyone else
take your medication. Your
prescription is probably not
refillable. If you still have
symptoms of infection after you
finish
Diflucan, call your doctor.
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