Fluconazole: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Fluconazole is used to prevent and treat many types of fungal and yeast infections. This medication belongs to the azole class of antifungal drugs, which work by stopping the growth of certain types of fungus.

1. How to use oral fluconazole

Read the package insert carefully and your doctor's instructions before you start taking fluconazole and each time you get a supplement.
Take this medication by mouth, with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily.
If you are taking liquid fluconazole, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose with a special measuring device/spoon to get the most accurate dose.
Dosage is determined based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Dosage for children is also determined based on weight. In general, in children, the dose should not exceed 600 milligrams per day unless directed by a doctor.
Fluconazole works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept constant. Therefore, take it at the same time each day as directed.
Continue using fluconazole until the prescribed amount is exhausted, even if the symptoms of the disease have disappeared after a few days of taking the medicine. Stopping the medication too soon can allow the fungus to continue to grow, leading to a re-infection.
If your condition does not improve or becomes increasingly severe, contact your doctor immediately.

2. Side effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain/pain, headache, dizziness, or hair loss may occur when you take fluconazole. Tell your doctor right away if any of these effects persist or get worse.
Contact your doctor right away if you experience the following side effects, including: Signs that your adrenal glands are not working well (such as loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, weight loss).
Call 911 right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: Fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting.
In some cases fluconazole can cause serious liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any signs of serious advanced liver disease, including: Severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellow eyes/skin, dark urine .

Here are some possible side effects after taking fluconazole:
Headache Nausea Allergic Dermatitis Itching Skin Rash Indigestion Drowsiness Decreased appetite Dizziness Vomiting Diarrhea Severe abdominal pain Rare side effects:
Decreased function of the adrenal glands Low potassium in the blood Low platelets in the blood Low granulocyte count Low white blood cell count Abnormal heart rhythm Prolonged QT interval on EKG Liver failure Acute Hepatitis Toxic epidermal necrolysis Stevens-Johnson syndrome Skin rash, peeling Convusions Abnormal liver function tests Anaphylactic reactions Angioedema Jaundice Syndrome Dress High cholesterol High levels of triglycerides in the body Blood Loss of hair Muscle pain Difficulty sleeping Fever Fatigue Excessive sweating Muscle tremors Loss of taste Tingling sensation in the skin Irritability Fluconazole rarely causes a serious allergic reaction. However, call 911 right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: Fever that doesn't improve, new or worsening lymph node swelling, rash, itching/ swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, severe shortness of breath.
Other side effects may occur after taking fluconazole, so contact your doctor immediately if you experience this.

3. Precautionary measures

Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine; or with other azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole); or if you have any other allergies. Fluconazole may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially: Liver disease, kidney disease before you use this medicine.
Fluconazole may cause a condition that affects heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can cause a serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that should be reported to your doctor right away.
If you have certain medical conditions or are taking other medicines that may increase your risk of QT prolongation. Before using fluconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all medicines you take and if you have any of the following conditions: Certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation) length in EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in electrocardiogram, sudden cardiac death).
The risk of QT prolongation may also be increased by low blood levels of potassium or magnesium. If you take certain medications (such as diuretics) or if you have conditions such as excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting, this risk is also increased. Talk to your doctor about using fluconazole safely.
Although uncommon, this drug can make you dizzy. It is best to avoid alcoholic beverages while you are taking fluconazole.
Tell your doctor about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products) before having surgery.
Older adults may also be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially rash, vomiting, diarrhea and QT prolongation.
During pregnancy, this medicine should be used only when clearly needed. It can harm an unborn baby if taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Consult reliable forms of birth control while using this medicine and for 1 week after stopping treatment. For the treatment of vaginal yeast infections, medications used in or around the vagina should be considered before taking this medication. Fluconazole can pass into milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing baby. Therefore, women who are breast-feeding can take this medicine, but only under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Interaction

The interaction between fluconazole and certain medications can change the way the medicine works or increase the risk of serious side effects. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. Do not take, stop or change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's approval without your doctor's prescription.
Products that may interact with fluconazole include: Clopidogrel .
Many drugs besides fluconazole can affect heart rate (QT prolongation), including pimozide, quinidine, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), and several others.
Fluconazole may slow the removal of other medicines from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include asunaprevir, cisapride, flipbanserin, lomitapide, among others.
If you overdose on fluconazole and have serious symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, call 911 right away. Symptoms of a fluconazole overdose may include: Hallucinations, mental/mood changes.
Do not share fluconazole with other people.
Fluconazole is only prescribed for your current condition. Do not use fluconazole later for another infection unless directed by your doctor.
Medical tests (such as liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your condition.
Store fluconazole at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
Store fluconazole liquid suspension at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Do not store medicine in the freezer. Discard unused medication 14 days after opening.

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Reference source: webmd.com