Fluconazole is used to treat fungal infections of the skin, brain, mouth, throat, lungs, urinary tract, vagina, penis, and other body organs.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Fluconazole exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Fluconazole is available as a tablet, capsule, or powder for oral suspension.
If you are taking the capsule or tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the oral suspension, tap or invert the bottle to loosen the dry powder and add the specified volume of water to reconstitute the suspension. Shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Take Fluconazole at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Fluconazole if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines to treat fungal infections such as ketoconazole and itraconazole.
Do not take Fluconazole with certain antibiotics and medicines for irregular heartbeat, cold or allergy, mood disorder, and digestive problems. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease or problem e.g. irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- electrolyte imbalance (imbalance of essential minerals in the body) e.g. low potassium level in the blood
- serious underlying disease e.g. cancer, AIDS
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Fluconazole to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Maintain good hygiene as this is important in managing fungal infections.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, potassium level in the blood) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Fluconazole may cause dizziness and fits or seizures. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, change in taste, excessive sweating, muscle pain, and tiredness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, swelling in the legs and ankles
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- fast or irregular heartbeat
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Fluconazole with the following medicines:
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. terfenadine, astemizole
- certain medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, amiodarone
- erythromycin (antibiotic)
- cisapride (medicine for stomach problems)
- pimozide (medicine for mood disorders)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, alfentanil
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- medicines for diabetes e.g. glibenclamide, glipizide
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. zidovudine, saquinavir
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin
- medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, nortriptyline
- medicines to treat epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- medicines for anxiety e.g. midazolam
- certain medicines for cancer e.g. cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, olaparib
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. celecoxib, flurbiprofen
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. verapamil, amlodipine, losartan
- rifampicin (medicine used to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- hydrochlorothiazide (water pill or medicine for water retention)
- halofantrine (medicine used to treat malaria [a disease transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito])
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fluconazole.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
The oral suspension can be stored between 5-30°C after you have mixed the powder with water. Do not freeze it otherwise, it will become less effective. Throw away unused portions after 14 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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