Fluconazole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Fluconazole?

What is fluconazole for?

Fluconazole is a drug that is available in a variety of preparations, including tablets and liquid. This drug is an antifungal drug that belongs to the triazole group. This drug works by stopping the growth of certain fungi in the body.

This drug can be used to treat infections caused by fungi. These infections usually affect areas such as the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, and bloodstream.

Therefore, this drug is generally used to treat:

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

In addition, this drug is also used to prevent infection in people with weak immune systems, usually due to cancer treatments, bone marrow transplants, to diseases such as AIDS.

This drug is classified as a prescription drug, so you can only get it at the pharmacy with a prescription from a doctor.

How is fluconazole used?

Here are some things you should be aware of when using fluconazole:

• Take this medication with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily.
• If you are using the solution form, shake the bottle before each use.
• Use a medicated measuring spoon to measure the correct dose as prescribed. Do not use a household spoon as the dosage cannot be adjusted.
• Dosage is based on your health condition and response to therapy. For children, the dosage can also be based on body weight.
• Generally in children, the dose is not more than 600 milligrams a day unless recommended by a doctor.
• This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body remains at a constant level. So, use this drug at approximately the same intervals.
• Continue to use this medication until the prescribed one is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the drug too quickly can cause the infection to recur.
• Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't get better or gets worse.
• Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is fluconazole stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Fluconazole dosage

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

What is the dose of fluconazole for adults?

Adult dosage for vaginal candidiasis

• 150 mg taken by mouth in a single dose

Adult dosage for oral thrush

• Oropharyngeal candidiasis: 200 mg IV or taken on the first day followed by 100 mg IV or taken once daily.
• Duration of therapy: at least 2 weeks, to reduce the risk of relapse

Adult dosage for candidaemia

• Doses up to 400 mg / day have been used.

Adult dosage for fungal pneumonia

• Doses up to 400 mg / day have been used.

Adult dosage for systemic candidiasis

• Doses up to 400 mg / day have been used.

Adult dosage for esophageal candidiasis

• 200 mg IV taken by mouth on the first day followed by 100 mg IV or taken once daily
• Duration of therapy: at least 3 weeks and at least 2 weeks after symptoms disappear

Adult dosage for candida urinary tract infections

• 50-200 mg IV or taken once daily

Adult dosage for fungal peritonitis

• 50-200 mg IV or taken once daily

Adult dosage for cryptococcosis

• Mild to moderate lung infections and non-lung, nonmeningeal infections if CNS disease has been excluded, no fungemia, 1 infection site, no immunosuppressive risk factors: 400 mg orally once daily for 6-12 months

Adult dosage for prophylaxis of fungal infections

• Dosage for yeast infection: 400 mg IV or taken once daily
• Duration of therapy: 7 days after the neutrophil count was above 1000 cells / mm3

Adult dosage for coccidioidomycosis - meningitis

• 400 mg taken by mouth once a day

Adult dosage for coccidioidomycosis

• 400-800 mg IV or taken once daily

Adult dosage for histoplasmosis

• disseminated infection in patients without AIDS: 200-800 mg IV or taken once daily for at least 12 months
• CNS infection (after administration of IV amphotericin B regimen): 200-400 mg IV or taken once daily for at least 12 months

Adult dosage for blastomycosis

• Mild to moderate lung infection or mild to moderate disseminated infection without CNS involvement: 400-800 mg orally once daily for at least 6-12 months
• CNS infection (after administration of IV amphotericin B regimen): 800 mg orally once daily for at least 12 months and until CNS abnormalities disappear

Adult dose for onychomycosis - fingernails

• Some experts recommend: 150-300 mg taken by mouth once a week
• Duration of therapy: Nail infection: 3-6 months, Toenail infection: 6-12 months

Adult dose for onychomycosis– toenails

• Some experts recommend: 150-300 mg taken by mouth once a week
• Duration of therapy: Nail infection: 3-6 months, Toenail infection: 6-12 months

Adult dosage for sporotrichosis

• Skin or lymphocutaneous infections: 400-800 mg IV or taken once daily
• Duration of therapy: 2-4 weeks after all lesions have cleared (usually 3-6 months total)

What is the dose of fluconazole for children?

Child dosage for esophageal candidiasis

• ≤2 weeks (26-29 weeks gestation): 3 mg / kg IV or orally every 72 hours
• More than 2 weeks: 6 mg / kg IV or taken by mouth on the first day followed by 3 mg / kg IV or taken once daily
• Duration of therapy: at least 3 weeks and at least 2 weeks after symptoms resolve

Child dosage for oral thrush

• ≤ 2 weeks (26-29 weeks gestation): 3 mg / kg IV or orally every 72 hours
• More than 2 weeks: 6 mg / kg IV or taken by mouth on the first day followed by 3 mg / kg IV or taken once daily
• Duration of therapy: at least 2 weeks, to reduce the risk of relapse

Child dosage for candidaemia

• ≤2 weeks (26-29 weeks gestation): 6-12 mg / kg IV or taken every 72 hours
• More than 2 weeks: 6-12 mg / kg / day IV or orally

Child dosage for fungal - disseminated infection

• ≤ 2 weeks (26-29 weeks gestation): 6-12 mg / kg IV or taken every 72 hours
• More than 2 weeks: 6-12 mg / kg / day IV or orally

Child dosage for systemic candidiasis

• ≤ 2 weeks (26-29 weeks gestation): 6-12 mg / kg IV or taken every 72 hours
• More than 2 weeks: 6-12 mg / kg / day IV or orally

Child dosage for cryptococcosis

• consolidation therapy (after induction therapy): 10-12 mg / kg / day orally in 2 divided doses for 8 weeks
• maintenance therapy in HIV patients: 6 mg / kg orally once daily

Child dosage for prophylaxis of fungal infections

• Empiric therapy for suspected candidiasis in nonneutropenic or neutropenic patients: 12 mg / kg IV or orally on the first day followed by 6 mg / kg IV or taken once daily

Child dosage for candida urinary tract infections

• Asymptomatic cystitis in patients undergoing urological procedures: 3-6 mg / kg IV or taken once daily for several days before and after the procedure
• Symptomatic cystitis: 3 mg / kg IV or taken once daily for 2 weeks
• Pyelonephritis: 3-6 mg / kg IV or taken once daily for 2 weeks
• Urinary fungus balls: 3-6 mg / kg IV or taken once daily until symptoms resolve and urine culture is clear of candida

Child dosage for coccidioidomycosis - meningitis

• Meningeal infection: 12 mg / kg IV or taken by mouth once daily
  Maximum dose: 800 mg / dose
• Secondary prophylaxis: 6 mg / kg orally once daily
• Maximum dose: 400 mg / dose
• Duration of therapy: throughout life

Child dosage for coccidioidomycosis

• serious respiratory illness due to diffuse lung infection or disseminated nonmeningeal infection: 12 mg / kg IV or taken once daily
• Maximum dose: 800 mg / dose
• Duration of therapy: 1 year
• mild to moderate nonmeningeal infections (eg focal pneumonia): 6-12 mg / kg IV or taken once daily
• Maximum dose: 400 mg / dose
• Secondary prophylaxis: 6 mg / kg orally once daily
• Maximum dose: 400 mg / dose
• Duration of therapy: during life in patients with disseminated disease

Child dosage for vaginal candidiasis

• Non-complicating vulvovaginal candidiasis: 150 mg orally in a single dose
• Recurrent or severe vulvovaginal candidiasis: 100-200 mg orally once daily for at least 7 days
• Suppressive therapy for vulvovaginal candidiasis: 150 mg orally once a week

Child dosage for histoplasmosis

• Acute primary pulmonary infection: 3-6 mg / kg orally once daily
  Maximum dose: 200 mg / dose
• Mild disseminated disease: 5-6 mg / kg IV orally 2 times a day
• Maximum dose: 300 mg / dose
• Duration of therapy: 12 months
• Secondary prophylaxis: 3-6 mg / kg orally once daily
• Maximum dose: 200 mg / dose

In what dosage is fluconazole available?

Fluconazole is available in the following dosages.

• Solution, Intravenous: 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg
• Solution, Intravenous: 200 mg, 400 mg
• Suspension Reconstituted, Oral: 10 mg / mL (35 mL), 40 mg / mL (35 mL)
• Tablet, Oral: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg

Fluconazole side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to fluconazole?

Seek immediate medical care if you develop signs of an allergic reaction such as: Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching, no appetite, dark urine, putty bowel movements, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• a severe blistering, peeling and red rash
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual limp
• convulsions (convulsions).

The less severe side effects include:

• mild stomach pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• headache
• dizzy
• an unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and Cautions for Fluconazole

What should be known before using fluconazole?

Before using Fluconazole, there are a number of things you should pay attention to.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluconazole, any other antifungal medication, any medication, or any of the ingredients in fluconazole tablets or suspension.
• tell your doctor if you are taking astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); pimozide (Orap), or quinidine (Quinidex).
• Your doctor may ask you not to use Fluconazole while you are using this medicine.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist any prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using, or plan to use.
• tell your doctor if you have or have had cancer; acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); irregular heartbeat; low levels of calcium, sodium, or magnesium in your blood, inherited diseases such as intolerance to lactose or sucrose, or heart, kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you become pregnant, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy; planning to get pregnant; or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant and are using fluconazole, contact your doctor. Fluconazole can harm the fetus.
• if you are having surgery, such as dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking fluconazole.
• You should know that this drug may make you dizzy or have seizures. Do not drive a car or run a motorized vehicle until the effects of the drug wear off.

Is fluconazole safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

The use of 150 mg tablets for candidiasis vaginalis is included in risk of category C pregnancy.

While uses other than for candidiasis vaginalis and parenteral are included in risk of pregnancy D. according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (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

Studies in women have shown that this drug poses minimal risk to the baby if used while breastfeeding.

Fluconazole Drug Interactions

What other medicines may interact with Fluconazole?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Some other medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Fluconazole. Your doctor may need to change your therapy plan if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• halofantrine
• prednisone
• theophylline
• tofacitinib
• vitamin A
• antidepressants - amitriptyline, nortriptyline
• another antifungal drug - amphotericin B or voriconazole
• blood pressure medicine - hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), losartan, amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven)
• cancer drug - cyclophosphamide, vincristine, vinblastine
• cholesterol medicine - atorvastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin
• HIV / AIDS drugs - saquinavir, zidovudine, and others
• drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection - cyclosporine, tacrolimus or sirolimus
• narcotic drugs - fentanyl, alfentanil, methadone
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen
• oral diabetes medication - glyburide, tolbutamide, glipizide
• seizure medication - carbamazepine, phenytoin
• tuberculosis drug –rifampin, rifabutin.

Can food or alcohol interact with fluconazole?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with fluconazole?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this medicine. notify your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Electrolyte disorders (mineral imbalance in the body)
• Heart disease. Use with care. This condition can increase the risk of heart rhythm problems and worsen the effects of this drug.
• Fructose intolerance (a rare hereditary problem)
• Galactose intolerance (a rare hereditary problem)
• Glucose-galactose malabsorption (a rare hereditary problem)
• Lapp lactase deficiency (a rare hereditary problem)
• Sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (a rare hereditary problem)
• Conditions that make digestion of sugar or dairy products difficult. Use with care. The capsule form contains lactose (milk sugar) and an oral liquid containing sucrose, which can make the condition worse.
• Heart rhythm problems (for example, prolonged QT)
• Liver disease. Use with care. May worsen the condition.
• Kidney illness. Use with care. The effect can be increased due to the slowed removal of the drug from the body.

Overdosage of Fluconazole

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.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• hallucinations (seeing objects or hearing sounds that aren't there)
• excessive fear of other people will try to hurt you

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

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