Diflucan

Generic Name: Fluconazole
US Brand Name: Diflucan
Other Brand/Trade Names: Fluconazole is sold under different brand names worldwide, including Apo-Fluconazole®; Diflucan®; Gen-Fluconazole; Novo-Fluconazole.

Uses

Fluconazole is an azole antifungal medication used to prevent and treat a variety of fungal and yeast infections. Fluconazole is also used for prevention of the recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and to decrease the risk of candidiasis infection in people undergoing bone marrow transplants who are treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Active Ingredients: Fluconazole
Inactive Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, FD&C Red No. 40 aluminum lake dye, and magnesium stearate.

Dosage and Forms

Fluconazole is available in form of tablets, injections or oral suspension.
The recommended dose of Fluconazole varies with the condition being treated and the age and circumstances of the person being treated. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Do not change the way and dose that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Symptoms of overdose may include: hallucinations, mental/mood changes.

Contraindications and Precautions

This medication should not be taken by:

• anyone allergic to Fluconazole or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• anyone taking the medication terfenadine when Fluconazole is taken in doses greater than 400 mg daily
• anyone taking the medication cisapride

Side Effects

This drug may rarely cause serious liver disease. If you notice any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects, check immediate your doctor: severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Interactions

This drug should not be used with the following medications: astemizole, cisapride, terfenadine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: amitriptyline, certain anti-diabetic drugs, certain benzodiazepines, "blood thinners", certain calcium channel blockers, carbamazepine, certain drugs that affect the immune system, eplerenone, phenytoin, rifamycins, theophylline. Fluconazole may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.