Fluconazole
(Diflucan, United States and Canada)
Use:
Fluconazole or Diflucan is used to treat fungal infections - yeast infections,
urinary tract infections, peritonitis, pneumonia, AIDS cryptoccal infections.
For vaginal yeast infections one dose of Fluconazole or Diflucan by mouth is
effective, however the itchiness associated with the infection may persist.
How It Works:
Fluconazole or Diflucan interferes with the way the fungi organisms build their
cell walls, effectively killing the infection.
Side Effects:
Fluconazole or Diflucan is well tolerated, but nausea, vomiting, headache, skin
rashes, abdominal pain, and diarrhea have been reported. Side effects are more
common in susceptible individuals, for example AIDS patients.
A rare serious side effect is liver toxicity, and for this reason, liver function
tests are required if treatment with Fluconazole or Diflucan is long term.
Exfoliative skin disorders can occur.
Cautions for People:
People with AIDS are more susceptible to side effects. Because Fluconazole or
Diflucan can cause liver toxicity, people with liver problems must be careful.
Drug Interactions:
Fluconazole or Diflucan can increase prothrombin time meaning that blood takes
longer to clot and care should be taken if it is taken with an anticoagulant
or blood thinner.
Fluconazole or Diflucan can produce too low a blood sugar or hypoglycemia in
combination with glipizide and tolbutamide. It can increase the blood levels
of phenytoin and theophylline.
Because Fluconazole or Diflucan affects the liver, it is able to increase levels
of the non sedating antihistamines terfenadine and astemizole. These increase
antihistamines levels can lead to heart beat irregularities
