Diflucan: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is diflucan used for?

Diflucan is a brand of oral medicine that is available in capsule form. In this drug there is fluconazole as the main active ingredient. Fluconazole itself belongs to a class of antifungal drugs called triazoles.

This drug can be used to treat and prevent various infections caused by fungi. The way it works is to stop the growth of several types of fungi.

Usually, this drug is used to treat fungi found in the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and in the blood.

Therefore, this drug is relied upon in the treatment of diseases:

• Oral thrush
• Candidias
• Pneumocystis pneumonia
• Cryptococcosis
• Coccidioidomycosis

In addition, this drug is also used to prevent yeast infections that may occur in people who have a weakened immune system. Usually, it is caused by cancer treatments, bone marrow transplant, or other diseases such as AIDS.

This drug is included in prescription drugs. This means that you can only buy it at the pharmacy if it is accompanied by a prescription from a doctor.

How to use diflucan?

To get the maximum benefits, you can learn how to use it as follows.

• Pay attention to the instructions given by your doctor on the prescription notes regarding use and dosage. Your doctor may give different doses based on your health condition.
• This drug is used by mouth. You may use this medicine before or after meals.
• Use this medication until the time determined by the doctor even though the symptoms have disappeared after using it a few days. The problem is, if you stop using the medicine suddenly, the fungus will easily grow back.
• Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve after using this medicine.

How to store flucan?

In addition to learning how to use it, you also have to know how to store this drug properly so that the drug is not damaged before it expires. Here are a few things to look out for, including:

• This medication is best stored at room temperature.
• Do not store this medication in places that are too humid, such as in the bathroom.
• Keep this medication away from exposure to sunlight and direct light.
• Do not store this medication in the freezer until it freezes.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children to pets.
• The active ingredient in this drug, fluconazole, is also available in several other brands. Different brands may have different storage rules for drugs.

After you stop using it, or when the drug's validity period has expired, you should throw this medicine away immediately. However, there are some things that you must pay attention to for the sake of environmental health. For example, do not throw this medicine in drains such as in toilets.

In addition, do not also mix this medicinal waste with other household waste. If you do not know how to dispose of a drug that is correct and safe for the environment, you can ask a pharmacist.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for diflucan for adults?

Adult dosage for vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis)

• Dosage for less severe vaginal yeast infections: 150 milligrams (mg) orally once /
• Dosage to prevent yeast infection from reoccurring: (used 10-14 days after the last drug use) 150 mg orally once a week for 6 months.
• Dosage for fairly serious vaginal yeast infections: 150 mg orally every three days for three doses of use.

Adult dosage for yeast infection in the mouth (oral thrush)

• Dosage for yeast infection in the mouth: 200 mg taken by mouth on the first day and followed by a dose of 100 mg taken once daily starting from the second day onwards.
• Duration of use: Approximately two weeks to reduce fungal infections that have started to disappear.

Adult dosage for yeast infections that occur in the bloodstream (candidemia)

• Initial dose: 800 mg taken on the first day, then followed by a 400 mg dose taken once a day starting from the second day onwards.
• Duration of use of the drug:
  • For neutropenic patients (patients whose blood levels of neutropenia have decreased): two weeks after the candida fungus in the blood has cleared.
  • For non-neutropenic patients: 14 days after the blood test results are negative and the symptoms of fungal infection have disappeared ..

Adult dosage for fungal pneumonia (fungal pneumonia)

• Initial dose: 800 mg taken on the first day, then followed by a 400 mg dose taken once a day starting from the second day onwards.
• Duration of drug use:
  • For neutropenic patients (patients whose blood levels of neutropenia have decreased): two weeks after the candida fungus in the blood has cleared.
  • For non-neutropenic patients: 14 days after the blood test results are negative and symptoms of fungal infection reappear.

Adult dosage for systemic fungal infections

• Initial dose: 800 mg taken on the first day, then followed by a 400 mg dose taken once a day starting from the second day onwards.
• Duration of use of the drug:
  • For neutropenic patients (patients whose blood levels of neutropenia have decreased): two weeks after the candida fungus in the blood has cleared.
  • For non-neutropenic patients: 14 days after the blood test results are negative and symptoms of fungal infection reappear.

Adult dosage for esophageal yeast infection

• Initial dose: 200 mg taken on the first day, followed by 100 mg taken once a day on the second day and so on.

Adult dosage for fungal infections of the urinary tract

• 50-200 mg taken by mouth once a day.

Adult dose for yeast infection that causes inflammation in the stomach (fungal peritonitis)

• 50-200 mg taken by mouth once a day.

Adult dose for cryptococcal fungal infection

• 400 mg orally once daily for 6-12 months of use.

Adult dosage for preventing yeast infection

• 400 mg taken by mouth once a day.

Adult dosage for coccidioidomycosis fungal infection

• 400-800 mg orally once a day.

Adult dosage for fungal infections of the lungs (histoplasmosis)

• In patients without AIDS: 200-800 taken once a day for 12 months of use.

Adult dose for blastomycosis

• 400-800 taken once a day for approximately 6-12 months.

Adult dosage for sporotrichosis

• 400-800 mg orally once a day.
• Duration of use: 2-4 weeks after symptoms of infection disappear (usually up to 3-6 months).

What is the dosage of diflucan for children?

Children's dosage for fungal infections of the esophagus

• For children aged 0-14 days: 3 mg / kilogram of body weight orally every 72 hours.
• For children aged 14 days and over: 6 mg / kg body weight taken by mouth on the first day of use, then followed by a dose of 3 mg / kg on the second day and so on.
• Duration of use: at least three weeks and two weeks after symptoms disappear.

Children's dosage for yeast infection in the mouth (oral thrush)

• For children aged 0-14 days: 3 mg / kilogram of body weight orally every 72 hours.
• For children aged 14 days and over: 6 mg / kg body weight taken by mouth on the first day of use, then followed by a dose of 3 mg / kg on the second day and so on.
• Length of use: at least two weeks, to reduce the risk of the infection coming back.

Child dosage for yeast infection in the bloodstream (candidemia)

• Dosage for children aged 0-14 days: 6-12 mg / kilogram (kg) orally every 72 hours.
• Dosage for children 14 days of age and over: 6-12 mg / kg / day orally once.

Children's dosage for cryptococcal fungal infection

• Dosage for patients who have undergone induction therapy: 10-12 mg / kg body weight taken once separated into 2 doses for 8 weeks of use.
• Dosage for treatment in HIV patients: 6 mg / kg orally once daily for 6-12 months.

Children's dosage for preventing yeast infection

• Dosage for therapy: 12 mg / kg taken by mouth on the first day and followed by a dose of 6 mg / kg taken by mouth on the second day onwards, once a day.

Children's dosage for fungal infections of the urinary tract

• For patients with bladder inflammation but no symptoms: 3-6 mg / kg taken once daily for use several days before and after urological procedures
• For patients with bladder inflammation accompanied by symptoms: 3 mg / kg orally once a day for two weeks.

Children's dosage for coccidioidomycosis

• 12 mg / kg of body weight orally once a day.
• Maximum dose: 800 mg / dose.
• Duration of use: one year.

Children's dosage for vaginal yeast infections

• Less severe: 150 mg orally once.
• For recurring and moderately severe conditions: 100-200 mg taken by mouth once daily for seven days.
• For the treatment of vaginal yeast infections: 150 mg orally once for once a week.

Children's dosage for fungal infections of the lungs (histoplasmosis)

• For lung infections: 3-6 mg / kg body weight once a day.
• Maximum dose: 200 mg / dose.

In what dosage is diflucan available?

Diflucan is available in capsules: 50 mg, 150 mg.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of using diflucan?

As with drug use in general, the use of this drug also has a risk of side effects of use. Symptoms of side effects that usually occur include health conditions ranging from mild to quite serious.

The following are minor side effect symptoms:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Dizzy
• Stomach hurts
• Throws up
• There are changes in the taste of the food consumed
• Serious skin rash in immunocompromised patients

The side effects above are side effects that will disappear over time. However, if the condition gets worse and doesn't get better soon, it's better to contact a doctor.

Meanwhile, below are the side effects that are quite serious, which may occur, including:

• Kidney damage characterized by jaundice, dark urine, dark stools, itchy skin, nausea and vomiting.
• Severe skin rash in AIDS or cancer patients, usually characterized by peeling skin.
• An altered heart rhythm that can lead to death, characterized by a faster or irregular heart rhythm, dizziness, fainting, and seizures.

If you experience symptoms of serious side effects as above, stop using the drug, contact your doctor, and get medical care immediately.

However, not everyone experiences the symptoms of the side effects listed in the notes above. In fact, there are also those who experience no side effect symptoms at all. If you experience a side effect that is not on the list above, check with your doctor.

Warnings & Precautions

What to know before using diflucan?

Before you decide to use diflucan, there are a few things you should be aware of, including:

• Do not use this medication if you have an allergy to diflucan and its main ingredient, fluconazole.
• Tell your doctor all types of allergies you have, including allergies to other drugs, food, preservatives, dyes, to allergies to animals.
• Tell your doctor all types of drugs you use because the interactions that occur can have harmful effects on your health condition.
• Tell me about any health conditions you have, including liver problems, HIV or AIDS, cancer, heart rhythm problems, kidney problems, and other conditions.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• This medicine should not be given to children under 6 months of age without a doctor's knowledge.
• In the elderly, the risk of side effects is higher than in adults. If you want to give this medicine to the elderly, make sure you are giving this medicine in an appropriate and safe way.

Is diflucan safe for use by pregnant and lactating women?

If you are pregnant, you are not advised to use this medicine. The reason is, if consumed while pregnant, this drug is dangerous for the fetus. In fact, the use of 150 mg tablets for candidiasis vaginalis is included in the risk of pregnancy category C, while use other than for candidiasis vaginalis and parenterals is included in the risk of pregnancy D according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America, or the equivalent of the Drug Administration and Food (BPOM) in Indonesia. The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Likewise for breastfeeding mothers, this drug can be released through breast milk (ASI) and may be consumed by a breastfeeding baby. If you must use this drug, consult your doctor first about the potential benefits and risks of using the drug. Only use it if your doctor has allowed it and you really need it.

Interaction

What medicines may interact with diflucan?

Drug interactions may occur if you use diflucan at the same time as other drugs. The interactions that occur may increase the side effects of using the drug, change the way the drug works, or it may be the best alternative for your health condition.

Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all types of drugs you use, from prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, multivitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal medicines. That way, your doctor can help you determine the dosage for drug use and avoid unwanted interactions.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of medication without your doctor's knowledge. The following is a list of medicinal uses that can interact with diflucan, including:

• Cipro (diphenhydramine)
• ciprofloxacin
• Claritin (loratadine)
• Flagyl (metronidazole)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• metronidazole
• MiraLax (polyethylene glycol 3350)
• Nexium (esomeprazole)
• nitrofurantoin
• Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)
• omeprazole
• Percocet (acetaminophen / oxycodone)
• ProAir HFA (albuterol)
• warfarin
• Zofran (ondansetron)
• Zyrtec (cetirizine)

What foods and alcohol can interact with diflucan?

As with drugs, certain foods that you eat together with diflucan can also cause interactions to occur. Interactions can increase side effects or change how the drugs work in your body.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco products has the potential to increase the side effects of the drug. Discuss with your doctor what foods may interact with diflucan.

What health conditions can interact with diflucan?

Your health condition can also interact with diflucan. If there is an interaction, maybe the risk of side effects can increase or your health condition will get worse.

Therefore, tell your doctor about any health conditions you have. This can help your doctor determine if this medication is safe or not to use for your condition.

The following are health conditions that may interact with diflucan, including:

• Hemodialysis or dialysis
• A kidney that can't function
• Hepatotoxicity, or liver damage caused by chemicals

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose by mistake, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if time has indicated for the time to use the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to the usual schedule for use of the drug. Do not use multiple doses.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.