Key facts
- Fluconazole is a triazole antifungal medication.
- It is used for the treatment of various yeast and fungal infections.
- In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, the brand name of this medication is Diflucan.
- Fluconazole is a prescription-only medication in the United States. In the UK and Australia, a single 150 mg dose for vaginal thrush can be bought from a pharmacy; other uses need a prescription.
Some of the Fluconazole brands we stock at Prashi Pharma are listed below.
Fluconazole brands and prices
| Brand | Strength | Form | Price from | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluconaz 50 mg Healing Pharma | 50 mg | Tablet | $140.00 90 Tablets | View |
What is fluconazole?
Fluconazole is a member of the triazole family, and it is commonly used as an antifungal agent [1]. This medicine also helps prevent fungal infections in certain people with a weakened immune system.
Important warnings for this medication include risks of liver failure, severe rash, irregular heart rhythm, adrenal gland problems, and harm to an unborn baby during pregnancy.
How fluconazole works
Fluconazole belongs to a class of drugs called triazole antifungals. This medication blocks the ability of fungi such as Candida and Cryptococcus to reproduce.
It targets a key enzyme (lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase) that builds a crucial cell membrane component (ergosterol) in fungi. Fluconazole blocks this enzyme and prevents the fungus from forming a normal cell membrane, causing abnormal sterols to build up. These abnormal sterols weaken the fungal cell membrane and stop growth [2].
For patients with fungal infections, fluconazole helps clear the infection by stopping fungal growth. The effect of fluconazole lasts as long as it is taken as prescribed.
What is fluconazole used for?
Fluconazole treats and prevents various fungal and yeast infections in adults and children. This includes:
For adults
- Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections due to Candida).
- Mouth and throat infections (oral thrush / oropharyngeal candidiasis). The medicine clears yeast buildup on the lining of the mouth and tongue.
- Esophageal thrush (Candida esophagitis), a fungal infection of the tube leading from the mouth to the stomach.
- Serious Candida infections affecting the urinary tract, blood, heart, abdomen (peritonitis), or lungs.
- Severe fungal infections affecting the brain and spinal cord, usually in people with a weakened immune system, including preventing relapse.
- Other fungal conditions such as coccidioidomycosis (a lung disease) and certain skin or nail infections like dermatophytosis (ringworm or tinea).
For children
- Oral thrush and fungal infections of the esophagus or mouth.
- Serious bloodstream, abdominal (peritonitis), or urinary tract yeast infections.
- Cryptococcal meningitis (brain and spinal cord fungal infections).
- Prophylaxis (prevention) in children with a weak immune system, those having cancer treatment, or premature infants prone to fungal colonization.
Dosage strengths and forms
Our product range includes: Fluconaz 50mg (Fluconazole).
Dosage information for adults
The recommended fluconazole dosage depends on the type and severity of your infection. The usual doses to treat Candida infections in adults are:
| Type of candidiasis | Dosage in adults | Treatment duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vaginal yeast infections | 150 mg | Mild to moderate infection: 1 dose. Severe infection: 1 dose every 72 hours for 2 to 3 total doses |
| Oral thrush | 200 mg on day one, then 100 mg once daily | At least 2 weeks |
| Esophageal thrush | 200 mg on day one, then 100 mg once daily; up to 400 mg/day may be used based on how well the infection improves | At least 3 weeks in total, and for at least 2 weeks after symptoms resolve |
| UTIs | 50 mg - 200 mg daily | Variable |
| Peritonitis | 50 mg - 200 mg daily | Variable |
| Bodywide infections | Up to 400 mg daily | Variable |
For meningitis caused by Cryptococcus, the recommended dose for adults is 400 mg on the first day, then 200 mg once daily. Depending on the severity of the condition, your healthcare professional may increase the dose to 400 mg once daily.
Dosage information for children
Fluconazole dosages for children are based on body weight and depend on the type of fungal infection. The approved uses of fluconazole in children include:
- Oral thrush in children ages 6 months and older.
- Esophageal thrush in children ages 6 months and older.
- Bodywide Candida infections in children starting from birth.
- Cryptococcal meningitis in children starting from birth.
| Type of candidiasis | Dosage in children | Treatment duration |
|---|---|---|
| Oral thrush | 6 mg per kg on day one, then 3 mg per kg once daily | At least 2 weeks |
| Esophageal thrush | 6 mg per kg on day one, then 3 mg per kg once daily; may be increased up to 12 mg per kg once daily based on how well the infection improves | At least 3 weeks in total, and for at least 2 weeks after symptoms resolve |
| Bodywide infections | Ages 3 months and older: 25 mg per kg on day one (maximum 800 mg), then 12 mg per kg once daily (maximum 400 mg per day). Birth to 3 months, gestational age 30 weeks or more: 25 mg per kg on day one, then 12 mg per kg once daily. Birth to 3 months, gestational age less than 30 weeks: 25 mg per kg on day one, then 9 mg per kg once daily. | At least 3 weeks in total, and for at least 2 weeks after symptoms resolve |
Children with cryptococcal meningitis usually receive 12 mg per kg body weight on day one, followed by 6 mg per kg body weight once daily [3].
How to take fluconazole
Fluconazole usually comes as capsules; the dose and duration depend on your health condition. When taking fluconazole:
- Swallow the capsules whole, with a glass of water.
- Take it at the same time each day.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medication.
- Consult a pharmacist or doctor if you're unsure how to take it or have any problems taking it.
- Do not stop your medicine, even if symptoms improve quickly. Consult a doctor before stopping or skipping doses.
- Take guidance from a healthcare professional before using this medication for your child.
Missed dose
- If you forget to take a dose of fluconazole, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.
- If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
- Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose
If you take a double dose of fluconazole, seek medical advice, as it can cause severe side effects.
Seek medical help if you think you have taken too much.
- USCall 911
- UKNHS 111 or 999
- AU13 11 26 Poisons Information or 000
Side effects
Common side effects
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Changes in the way food tastes
- A rash
Get help if you experience
- An allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing.
- A hypersensitivity reaction causing symptoms such as a severe rash, high temperature (feeling hot, cold or shivery) and swollen glands.
- Signs of liver problems (rare but serious), such as loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Abnormal electrical activity in the heart leading to a severe, life-threatening arrhythmia called torsades de pointes.
- Adrenal gland problems, which may include weakness, extreme tiredness, dizziness, or passing out.
- Kidney or blood issues, which may include decreased urination, rapid weight gain, unusual bruising/bleeding, or low white blood cell counts.
These are not all the side effects of Fluconazole. Read the leaflet that came with your medicine carefully, and report side effects to the US FDA through the FDA MedWatch Program, in the UK through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme, or in Australia to the TGA.
Who should avoid fluconazole?
Do not take fluconazole if you
- Have a known allergy to fluconazole, other azole antifungals, or any inactive ingredient in the medication.
- Take medicines that prolong the QT interval and are broken down by CYP3A4 enzymes, where high blood levels are dangerous (for example pimozide, quinidine or erythromycin).
Tell your doctor first if you
- Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy - fluconazole can harm an unborn baby, especially at higher doses or with prolonged treatment.
- Have liver problems or kidney disease.
- Have low levels of potassium in your blood.
- Have sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (a rare hereditary problem).
- Have glucose-galactose malabsorption (a rare hereditary problem).
Possible interactions
Some medicines may not mix well with Fluconazole. This includes:
- Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), whose effect can be strongly boosted, raising the risk of serious bleeding
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Amiodarone
- Quinidine
- Pimozide
- Calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, verapamil, amlodipine
- Atorvastatin
- Simvastatin
- Fluvastatin
- Phenytoin and carbamazepine
- Cyclosporine
- Tacrolimus
- Sulfonylureas
- Theophylline
- Short-acting benzodiazepines such as triazolam or midazolam
Food, drinks and alcohol while taking fluconazole
Food
There is no specific food to avoid while taking fluconazole; you can take it with or without food. Taking it with a small meal or snack can help reduce common side effects like nausea or stomach upset.
Alcohol
There is no direct interaction between fluconazole and alcohol; however, it is best to limit or avoid alcohol to curb side effects like dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, and upset stomach.
Grapefruit
Fluconazole has no strict grapefruit restriction; consult your pharmacist before taking it with grapefruit beverages.
Fluconazole vs clotrimazole (Canesten) cream/pessary
| Feature | Fluconazole | Clotrimazole (Canesten) cream/pessary |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Oral capsule | Topical cream or vaginal pessary (including soft gel pessary) |
| How it works | Systemic: absorbed into the bloodstream to fight the infection from the inside out | Local: applied or dissolved directly inside the vagina or on external skin/vulva |
| Speed of relief | Internal infection clears up within a few days, depending on the severity of the condition | Local soothing (external cream) starts quickly; pessary dissolves overnight |
| Pregnancy safety | Not recommended during pregnancy (Category D for repeated/high doses; avoid a single dose unless advised by a doctor) | Generally considered safer for local/topical use during pregnancy; consult a doctor before use |
| Drug interactions | Higher risk of systemic drug-to-drug interactions (processed via liver enzymes like CYP3A4/CYP2C9) | Very low risk of systemic interactions (minimal absorption through skin/mucosa) |
Fluconazole in the US, UK and Australia
United States
- Brand names
- Diflucan
- How it is supplied
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Regulator
- FDA
United Kingdom
- Brand names
- Diflucan
- How it is supplied
- Pharmacy medicine (P) for a single 150 mg dose for vaginal thrush; prescription only (POM) for other uses
- Regulator
- MHRA
Australia
- Brand names
- Diflucan
- How it is supplied
- Pharmacist-only (S3) for a single 150 mg dose for vaginal thrush; prescription only (S4) for other uses
- Regulator
- TGA
How to order fluconazole online with a prescription
To order Fluconazole online with a prescription, follow these steps:
- Select the dosage on your prescription that matches your medical condition.
- Add the selected product to your cart.
- Fill in your contact information, delivery address, and other required details.
- Upload a valid prescription from your healthcare professional.
- Our registered pharmacist will review your prescription and the medical information.
- After the review, our team will process the discreet dispatch of your package.
How to order · Prescription policy · Shipping policy