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What is Diflucan
 Diflucan
is an antifungal medication. It is like an antibiotic but
is used to treat fungal infections.
Diflucan
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. Diflucan 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.
Diflucan
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Diflucan
Do not take Diflucan if you are taking cisapride
(Propulsid). Combined with cisapride (Propulsid), Diflucan
could cause serious, even fatal, heart problems.
In rare cases, Diflucan 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.
In rare cases, Diflucan
has also caused severe skin rash, sometimes resulting in
death. Notify your doctor immediately fi you develop a rash
while taking Diflucan.
Take all of the Diflucan 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.
Who should not take Diflucan
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 harm an unborn baby. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant.
Diflucan passes into breast milk and may
harm 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.
How should take Diflucan Take Diflucan exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
A single dose of
this medication is often used to treat vaginal yeast infections.
In multiple-dose therapy, a double dose of Diflucan
is often taken on the first day of treatment to quickly
get the proper amount of medicine into your body. Follow
your doctor's directions.
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.
Store the tablets at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
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.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose
as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Diflucan overdose include confusion, hallucinations,
paranoia, decreased movement, decreased breathing, tearing
eyes, drooling, urinary incontinence, seizures, and death.
Avoid while taking Diflucan Use alcohol with moderation while taking Diflucan.
Alcohol and Diflucan can both affect your liver.
Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities.
Diflucan may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness,
avoid these activities.
Possible side effects of Diflucan If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Diflucan and seek emergency medical
attention or notify your doctor immediately:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your
throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- liver damage (pale stools, yellowish 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.
What other drugs will affect Diflucan 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 are taking
any other medicines, especially any of the following:
-
an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol),
glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase),
tolazamide (Tolinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and others;
- warfarin (Coumadin);
- phenytoin (Dilantin,
others);
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
-
tacrolimus ((Prograf);
- rifabutin (Mycobutin) or
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); or
- theophylline
(Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin,
others); or
- astemizole (Hismanal).
You may
not be able to take Diflucan, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Diflucan
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
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