Fluconazole is used to treat fungal infections of the skin, brain, mouth, throat, digestive tract, heart, lungs, urinary tract, vagina 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 as a powder for oral suspension.
If you are taking the oral 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.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Fluconazole even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of 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 (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to similar antifungal medicines such as ketoconazole and itraconazole.
Do not take Fluconazole with certain antibiotics and medicines for heart disease, 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:
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- heart disease
- electrolyte imbalance (imbalance of minerals in the body)
- serious underlying disease e.g. AIDS, cancer
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 or an elderly. Children and elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Maintain good body and oral (including the care of dentures) hygiene. This will help in managing fungal infections.
Keep a towel or flannel for your own use to avoid spreading the infection to other people.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Your doctor may also need to do routine blood tests to check your kidney and liver function while you are being treated with Fluconazole. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
Fluconazole may cause dizziness. 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, stomach wind, dry mouth, muscle pain and tiredness.
If you develop rashes, breathlessness, swollen mouth or eyes, stop taking Fluconazole and inform your doctor quickly. These could be signs of an allergic reaction.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- severe persistent stomach pain and tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes
- frequent fever with persistent sore throat or mouth ulcer
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- rashes with peeling or blistering of the skin, lips, mouth, eyes or genitals accompanied by fever
- fainting, seizures or fits
- 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 if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. terfenadine, astemizole
- antibiotics e.g. erythromycin
- cisapride (medicine for stomach problem)
- pimozide (medicine for mood disorder)
- quinidine (medicine for heart disease)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, alfentanil
- blood-thinning medicine e.g. warfarin
- medicines for diabetes e.g. glipizide, glimepiride, glyburide
- rifampicin (medicine used to treat tuberculosis or TB)
- halofantrine (medicine used to treat malaria)
- 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 (seizures or fits) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- medicines for anxiety e.g. midazolam, triazolam
- anti-cancer medicines e.g. cyclophosphamide, vinca alkaloids, olaparib
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. celecoxib, naproxen
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease e.g. verapamil, nifedipine, amiodarone
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 at room temperature below 30°C, even after you have mixed the powder with water. However, if the room temperature is more than 30°C, keep it in the fridge. Do not freeze it otherwise it will become less effective. Throw away any unused portion after 14 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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