Fluconazole
Fluconazole is an antifungal drug used to treat yeast overgrowth of all types, including thrush in women, infants and breastfeeding mothers. Some patients take fluconazole as a preventive measure when undergoing medical treatments that can result in yeast overgrowth. The drug is usually given in an oral form, either as a pill or a liquid suspension. Fluconazole can, however, be administered internally via an injection or IV. The drug is sold under several names, including the most common brand, Diflucan.
How Does Fluconazole Work?
Fluconazole interferes with the enzyme that fungal organisms need to reproduce.
Fluconazole Dosage
The dosage of this drug depends on the condition being treated, as well as the size, age and weight of the patient. Adults can take up to 400 milligrams of the drug per day. Young children being treated for thrush require much smaller dosages, between three and six milligrams for every kilogram of body weight. Many doctors prescribe the initial dose at about twice the concentration of the remaining doses needed to complete the treatment course.
How Long Does a Course of Fluconazole Last?
The treatment course a doctor will recommend for fluconazole will depend on the condition being treated. Women with a vaginal yeast infection may only require one targeted dose of the drug to cure their condition. Courses of treatment that are more intensive, however, can last up to 12 weeks. When treating an infant for thrush, the treatment course is usually between seven days and two weeks in length.
How Effective is Fluconazole?
Fluconazole is one of the more effective drugs used to treat fungal infections. However, it is also accompanied with higher risks of side effects than most other antifungal drugs. Because of this, doctors usually prescribe other treatment choices before recommending fluconazole.
Fluconazole Side Effects
It is possible to have an allergic reaction to one or more ingredients in fluconazole. Patients can experience itching, swelling, hives, rashes and difficulty breathing. Even if a patient is not allergic, mild side effects are possible, including stomach pain, headaches and nausea. Issues that are more serious include liver problems, heart problems and suppressed immune function. Most patients taking fluconazole do not experience any side effects.
What Other Medications Affect Fluconazole?
It is not recommended that patients mix fluconazole with other drugs or medications, as many other common drugs are incompatible with this prescription. Unless a doctor verifies that other drugs a patient is taking are compatible with this medication, serious reactions or side effects are possible when using fluconazole with other drugs.
Who Should Not Take Fluconazole?
Patients with heart disease, liver problems or allergies should not take fluconazole in any form. Pregnant women are discouraged from taking this drug, as it is potentially dangerous to a developing fetus. Fluconazole does pass through breast milk to the breastfeeding infant, so lactating mothers should discuss the risk with their doctor.
