is diflucan an antibiotic?
Vaginal Candidiasis
The recommended dosage of DIFLUCAN for vaginal candidiasis is 150 mg as a single oral dose.
SINCE ORAL ABSORPTION IS RAPID AND ALMOST COMPLETE, THE DAILY DOSE OF DIFLUCAN (FLUCONAZOLE) IS THE SAME FOR ORAL (TABLETS AND SUSPENSION) AND INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION. In general, a loading dose of twice the daily dose is recommended on the first day of therapy to result in plasma concentrations close to steady-state by the second day of therapy.
The daily dose of DIFLUCAN for the treatment of infections other than vaginal candidiasis should be based on the infecting organism and the patient’s response to therapy. Treatment should be continued until clinical parameters or laboratory tests indicate that active fungal infection has subsided. An inadequate period of treatment may lead to recurrence of active infection. Patients with AIDS and cryptococcal meningitis or recurrent oropharyngeal candidiasis usually require maintenance therapy to prevent relapse.
Oropharyngeal Candidiasis
The recommended dosage of DIFLUCAN for oropharyngeal candidiasis is 200 mg on the first day, followed by 100 mg once daily. Clinical evidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis generally resolves within several days, but treatment should be continued for at least 2 weeks to decrease the likelihood of relapse.
Esophageal Candidiasis
The recommended dosage of DIFLUCAN for esophageal candidiasis is 200 mg on the first day, followed by 100 mg once daily. Doses up to 400 mg/day may be used, based on medical judgment of the patient’s response to therapy. Patients with esophageal candidiasis should be treated for a minimum of three weeks and for at least two weeks following resolution of symptoms.
Systemic Candida Infections
For systemic Candida infections including candidemia, disseminated candidiasis, and pneumonia, optimal therapeutic dosage and duration of therapy have not been established. In open, noncomparative studies of small numbers of patients, doses of up to 400 mg daily have been used.
Urinary Tract Infections and Peritonitis
For the treatment of Candida urinary tract infections and peritonitis, daily doses of 50 to 200 mg have been used in open, noncomparative studies of small numbers of patients.
Cryptococcal Meningitis
The recommended dosage for treatment of acute cryptococcal meningitis is 400 mg on the first day, followed by 200 mg once daily. A dosage of 400 mg once daily may be used, based on medical judgment of the patient’s response to therapy. The recommended duration of treatment for initial therapy of cryptococcal meningitis is 10 to 12 weeks after the cerebrospinal fluid becomes culture negative. The recommended dosage of DIFLUCAN for suppression of relapse of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS is 200 mg once daily.
Prophylaxis in Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation
The recommended DIFLUCAN daily dosage for the prevention of candidiasis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation is 400 mg, once daily. Patients who are anticipated to have severe granulocytopenia (less than 500 neutrophils cells/mm3) should start DIFLUCAN prophylaxis several days before the anticipated onset of neutropenia, and continue for 7 days after the neutrophil count rises above 1000 cells/mm3.
The following dose equivalency scheme should generally provide equivalent exposure in pediatric and adult patients:
Experience with DIFLUCAN in neonates is limited to pharmacokinetic studies in premature newborns. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY.) Based on the prolonged half-life seen in premature newborns (gestational age 26 to 29 weeks), these children, in the first two weeks of life, should receive the same dosage (mg/kg) as in older children, but administered every 72 hours. After the first two weeks, these children should be dosed once daily. No information regarding DIFLUCAN pharmacokinetics in full-term newborns is available.
The recommended dosage of DIFLUCAN for oropharyngeal candidiasis in children is 6 mg/kg on the first day, followed by 3 mg/kg once daily. Treatment should be administered for at least 2 weeks to decrease the likelihood of relapse.
For the treatment of esophageal candidiasis, the recommended dosage of DIFLUCAN in children is 6 mg/kg on the first day, followed by 3 mg/kg once daily. Doses up to 12 mg/kg/day may be used, based on medical judgment of the patient’s response to therapy. Patients with esophageal candidiasis should be treated for a minimum of three weeks and for at least 2 weeks following the resolution of symptoms.
For the treatment of candidemia and disseminated Candida infections, daily doses of 6 to 12 mg/kg/day have been used in an open, noncomparative study of a small number of children.
For the treatment of acute cryptococcal meningitis, the recommended dosage is 12 mg/kg on the first day, followed by 6 mg/kg once daily. A dosage of 12 mg/kg once daily may be used, based on medical judgment of the patient’s response to therapy. The recommended duration of treatment for initial therapy of cryptococcal meningitis is 10 to 12 weeks after the cerebrospinal fluid becomes culture negative. For suppression of relapse of cryptococcal meningitis in children with AIDS, the recommended dose of DIFLUCAN is 6 mg/kg once daily.
Fluconazole is cleared primarily by renal excretion as unchanged drug. There is no need to adjust single dose therapy for vaginal candidiasis because of impaired renal function. In patients with impaired renal function who will receive multiple doses of DIFLUCAN, an initial loading dose of 50 mg to 400 mg should be given. After the loading dose, the daily dose (according to indication) should be based on the following table:
Patients on hemodialysis should receive 100% of the recommended dose after each hemodialysis; on non-dialysis days, patients should receive a reduced dose according to their creatinine clearance.
These are suggested dose adjustments based on pharmacokinetics following administration of multiple doses. Further adjustment may be needed depending upon clinical condition.
When serum creatinine is the only measure of renal function available, the following formula (based on sex, weight, and age of the patient) should be used to estimate the creatinine clearance in adults:
Females: 0.85 × above value
Although the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole has not been studied in children with renal insufficiency, dosage reduction in children with renal insufficiency should parallel that recommended for adults. The following formula may be used to estimate creatinine clearance in children:
DIFLUCAN is administered orally. DIFLUCAN can be taken with or without food.
Prepare a suspension at time of dispensing as follows: tap bottle until all the powder flows freely. To reconstitute, add 24 mL of distilled water or Purified Water (USP) to fluconazole bottle and shake vigorously to suspend powder. Each bottle will deliver 35 mL of suspension. The concentrations of the reconstituted suspensions are as follows:
Note
Shake oral suspension well before using. Store reconstituted suspension between 86°F (30°C) and 41°F (5°C) and discard unused portion after 2 weeks. Protect from freezing.
Pink trapezoidal tablets containing 50, 100, or 200 mg of fluconazole are packaged in bottles or unit dose blisters. The 150 mg fluconazole tablets are pink and oval shaped, packaged in a single dose unit blister.
DIFLUCAN Tablets are supplied as follows:
Engraved with “DIFLUCAN” and “50” on the front and “ROERIG” on the back.
NDC 0049-3410-30 - Bottles of 30
Engraved with “DIFLUCAN” and “100” on the front and “ROERIG” on the back.
NDC 0049-3420-30 - Bottles of 30 NDC 0049-3420-41 - Unit dose package of 100
Engraved with “DIFLUCAN” and “150” on the front and “ROERIG” on the back.
NDC 0049-3500-79 - Unit dose package of 1
Engraved with “DIFLUCAN” and “200” on the front and “ROERIG” on the back.
NDC 0049-3430-30 - Bottles of 30 NDC 0049-3430-41 - Unit dose package of 100
Store tablets below 86°F (30°C).
DIFLUCAN for Oral Suspension is supplied as an orange-flavored powder to provide 35 mL per bottle as follows:
Fluconazole 150 mg capsules are an antifungal medication used to treat vaginal yeast infections caused by the yeast known as Candida. It works by stopping the growth of Candida. It usually starts to work within one day, but it may take 3 days for your symptoms to improve and up to 7 days for your symptoms to disappear.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
Each hard, white, gelatin capsule, marked with the Pfizer logo, contains 150 mg of fluconazole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, and sodium lauryl sulfate; capsule shell: gelatin and titanium dioxide.
The recommended dose of fluconazole for vaginal candidiasis (yeast) infections is a single 150 mg dose.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is very important that this medication be taken as suggested by your doctor or pharmacist.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Do not take this medication if you:
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
General: If this is your first yeast infection, if you have frequent yeast infections or heart disease, if you have another yeast infection within 2 months after taking this medication, or if you have multiple sexual partners or change partners often, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication. This medication should only be taken as a single dose.
The following symptoms are not caused by a yeast infection. Contact your doctor for treatment advice, if you experience them:
If your symptoms have not improved in 3 days or disappeared in 7 days, contact your doctor.
Grapefruit juice: Taking fluconazole at the same time as drinking grapefruit juice may cause fluconazole to build up in the body and cause side effects. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice if you are taking this medication.
Intercourse and birth control: Vaginal intercourse should be avoided when women have a yeast infection. This will help reduce the risk of infecting your sexual partner(s).
This medication works in the body for several days after you take the dose. To avoid the risks of harm to the developing baby, if you could become pregnant, be sure to use an effective form of birth control for 7 days after taking this medication.
QT prolongation: This medication can cause changes in the electrical activity of the heart, called QT prolongation. If you have heart disease, abnormal electrolyte levels (e.g., potassium, sodium), or are taking other medications that can cause QT prolongation (e.g., quinidine, amiodarone), discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Women who take fluconazole for vaginal yeast infections and who may become pregnant should use adequate birth control for seven days after a dose of fluconazole.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking fluconazole, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children and adolescents: The safety and effectiveness of fluconazole 150 mg capsules have not been established for treating children under 12 years of age with vaginal candidiasis.
There may be an interaction between fluconazole and any of the following:
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Diflucan-One
Generic name: fluconazole Drug class: Azole antifungals
Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD. Last updated on Feb 7, 2023.
Diflucan is an oral (taken by mouth) antifungal medicine. Diflucan is available as a tablet or as an oral suspension (liquid).
Diflucan is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and the blood.
Diflucan is also used to prevent fungal infection in people who have a weak immune system caused by cancer treatment, bone marrow transplant, or diseases such as AIDS.
Diflucan is also used to treat a certain type of meningitis in people with HIV or AIDS.
Certain other drugs can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Diflucan,especially cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine, astemizole, higher doses of terfenadine, and many other medications that are broken down by certain enzymes that are inhibited by fluconazole. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
Before taking Diflucan, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of Long QT syndrome.
Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antifungal medication. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
You should not use Diflucan if you are allergic to fluconazole.
Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with fluconazole. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:
To make sure Diflucan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
The liquid form of Diflucan contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before taking Diflucan oral suspension if you have a problem digesting sugars or milk.
Fluconazole may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for at least 1 week after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Take Diflucan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Your dose will depend on the infection you are treating. Vaginal infections are often treated with only one pill. For other infections, your first dose may be a double dose. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions.
You may take Diflucan with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Use Diflucan for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.
You may store the oral suspension between 86 F (30 C) and 41 F (5 C), but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any leftover liquid that is more than 2 weeks old.
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include confusion or unusual thoughts or behavior.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Diflucan (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
Common Diflucan side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Fluconazole can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
Many drugs can interact with fluconazole, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
View more FAQ
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Diflucan only for the indication prescribed.
Diflucan belongs to a group of medicines called azole antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth of the fungal and yeast organisms causing your infection.
Generic name: fluconazole Drug class: Azole antifungals
Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD. Last updated on Feb 7, 2023.
Diflucan is an oral (taken by mouth) antifungal medicine. Diflucan is available as a tablet or as an oral suspension (liquid).
Diflucan is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and the blood.
Diflucan is also used to prevent fungal infection in people who have a weak immune system caused by cancer treatment, bone marrow transplant, or diseases such as AIDS.
Diflucan is also used to treat a certain type of meningitis in people with HIV or AIDS.
Certain other drugs can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Diflucan,especially cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine, astemizole, higher doses of terfenadine, and many other medications that are broken down by certain enzymes that are inhibited by fluconazole. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
Before taking Diflucan, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of Long QT syndrome.
Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antifungal medication. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
You should not use Diflucan if you are allergic to fluconazole.
Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with fluconazole. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:
To make sure Diflucan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
The liquid form of Diflucan contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before taking Diflucan oral suspension if you have a problem digesting sugars or milk.
Fluconazole may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for at least 1 week after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Take Diflucan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Your dose will depend on the infection you are treating. Vaginal infections are often treated with only one pill. For other infections, your first dose may be a double dose. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions.
You may take Diflucan with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Use Diflucan for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Fluconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.
You may store the oral suspension between 86 F (30 C) and 41 F (5 C), but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any leftover liquid that is more than 2 weeks old.
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include confusion or unusual thoughts or behavior.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Diflucan (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
Common Diflucan side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Fluconazole can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
Many drugs can interact with fluconazole, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
View more FAQ
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Diflucan only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medical Disclaimer
