Fluconazole works by killing the fungus or yeast that is causing the infection. The medicine kills fungus by making holes in its cell membrane, so that the contents leak out. This treats the infection and allows your symptoms to get better. If you are taking fluconazole to prevent an infection, the medicine kills any fungus as it starts to appear.
If you have vaginal thrush , balanitis or oral thrush , your symptoms should be better within 7 days of taking fluconazole. If you have a serious fungal infection, ask your doctor how long it will take for fluconazole to start to work. It may be 1 to 2 weeks before it reaches its full effect. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of taking fluconazole for vaginal thrush, balanitis or oral thrush.
Your doctor may ask you to take fluconazole for longer, or they may prescribe a different antifungal treatment. It depends on why you're taking fluconazole and whether your infection is getting better.
It could be a single dose, or treatment for several weeks, months or even years. If your doctor prescribes a course of fluconazole, they will advise you how long to take it for. Keep taking your medicine until the course is finished, even if you start to feel better.
This will help to stop the infection coming back. If you have a serious infection, you may need to take fluconazole long term. It is safe to take for a long time if your doctor has advised you to. If you take fluconazole long term, your doctor may ask you to have regular blood tests. There are many different antifungal medicines. Some are available to buy from a pharmacy, others are available on prescription. They can come as creams, gels, sprays, pessaries soft tablets you put into your vagina , tablets, capsules, liquid, or injections.
Your doctor or a pharmacist will be able to recommend the best treatment for you, based on your condition. Fluconazole is not likely to affect your contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception. If taking fluconazole makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Find out what to do if you're taking the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea.
There have been some reports of "breakthrough bleeding", known as spotting, when people take fluconazole and the combined pill together. It is not known whether this is to do with the fluconazole. If you get any breakthrough bleeding while using oral contraception, speak to your doctor.
Some studies have shown that there is a small chance that fluconazole could increase the levels of hormones in your body when using the combined pill. You can continue taking fluconazole with your oral contraception, but if you get any side effects, such as feeling sick or tender breasts, speak to your doctor. There is no clear evidence to suggest that fluconazole will reduce fertility in either men or women. In rare cases, taking fluconazole can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you're affected, do not drive or cycle until this feeling goes away. Page last reviewed: 23 March Next review due: 23 March Fluconazole - Brand name: Diflucan On this page About fluconazole Key facts Who can and cannot take fluconazole How and when to take fluconazone Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About fluconazole Fluconazole is an antifungal medicine. The most common cause of fungal infections is a yeast called candida. Fluconazole is used to treat many infections caused by candida including: thrush in men and women , such as vaginal thrush, skin irritation on the head of the penis balanitis , and thrush in the mouth oral thrush infections in your blood or elsewhere in your body Fluconazole is also used to treat a brain infection called cryptococcal meningitis.
This includes people who: keep getting vaginal thrush have a weakened immune system have had a bone marrow transplant have HIV are at risk of getting cryptococcal meningitis Fluconazole is available as capsules or a liquid that you swallow. It also comes as an injection, but this is usually given in hospital. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?
You'll usually take fluconazole once a day. Your dose and how long you take it for depends on the kind of infection you have. You can take fluconazole with or without food. The most common side effects of fluconazole are feeling sick nausea and diarrhoea.
For thrush, you can buy fluconazole capsules brand names include Canesten Thrush Oral Capsules or fluconazole capsules with clotrimazole cream brand names include Canesten Thrush Duo.
Tell a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you have: had an allergic reaction to fluconazole or any other medicines in the past heart disease, including heart rhythm problems arrhythmia kidney or liver problems a rare, inherited blood disorder called acute porphyria had a blood test that showed you have abnormal levels of potassium, calcium or magnesium.
You can take fluconazole capsules and liquid with or without food. Dosage for capsules or liquid These are the usual doses for adults: oral mouth thrush — 50mg a day, taken for 7 to 14 days vaginal thrush or balanitis — mg, taken as a single dose vaginal thrush that keeps coming back — mg, taken once every 72 hours for the first 3 doses, then take mg once a week for 6 months candida infections in your blood or elsewhere in your body — mg to mg a day for several weeks cryptococcal meningitis — mg to mg a day for several weeks to stop cryptococcal meningitis coming back — mg a day, taken long term to prevent fungal infections if you have a weakened immune system a low white blood cell count — 50mg to mg a day, until your white blood cell count improves For children, your doctor will work out the right dose depending on the infection and your child's age and weight.
What if I forget to take a dose? Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. For people with kidney disease: If you have kidney disease and are supposed to take more than a single dose of fluconazole, your dose may be lowered. Your doctor may give you a first dose of 50— mg, with additional doses that range between that amount and half of that amount, based on your kidney function. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Fluconazole oral tablet is used for both short-term and long-term treatment. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose.
Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: You should have decreased symptoms of infection. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Your doctor should monitor your kidney and liver function while you take this drug.
Your doctor should have blood tests done to check how well your liver and kidneys are working. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date.
However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication.
The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections can cause similar symptoms, but they require different treatments.
Learn to tell the two apart and more here. Vaginal yeast infections before a period are common due to changes in hormones around the menstrual cycle. Learn about causes and treatments here. A look at thrush, a condition that is not contagious in adults but may develop in those at risk.
Included is detail on the outlook for the condition. Oral thrush is typically caused by a fungal infection that develops on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Symptoms include creamy or white deposits in…. Meningitis affects the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is the most dangerous type of meningitis and can be fatal. Swift treatment with…. Important warnings. What is fluconazole? Fluconazole side effects. Continue to take this medicine as directed.
Using this medicine for a long time or using it too much while you are pregnant especially during the first trimester can harm your unborn baby.
Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 1 week after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. This medicine may rarely cause serious liver problems. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness, clay-colored stools, dark urine, decreased appetite, fever, headache, itching, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, skin rash, swelling of the feet or lower legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.
This medicine may rarely cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble with breathing, trouble with swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine. Serious skin reactions can occur in certain people during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child start having a skin rash, itching, or any other skin changes while using this medicine.
Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem such as QT prolongation. This medicine may cause adrenal gland problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription over-the-counter [OTC] medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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