Diflucan

Generic Name: fluconazole
Product Name: Diflucan

Indication: What Diflucan is used for

Diflucan capsules (for adults) and oral suspension (for children) are used to treat certain fungal and yeast infections.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Diflucan has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed Diflucan for another reason.

Diflucan is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

This medicine is not addictive.

Action: How Diflucan works

Diflucan belongs to a group of medicines called azole antibiotics.

It works by preventing the growth of the fungal and yeast organisms causing your infection.

Diflucan contains the active ingredient fluconazole:

• Diflucan 50 mg contains 50 mg fluconazole/capsule;
• Diflucan 100 mg contains 100 mg fluconazole/capsule;
• Diflucan 200 mg contains 200 mg fluconazole/capsule;
• Diflucan oral suspension contains 35 mL bottle containing 50mg fluconazole/5mL.

Capsules (50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg capsules) contain the inactive ingredient gelatin, lactose, maize starch, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, (50 and 100 mg capsules only), patent blue V. The 100 mg and 200 mg capsules also contain erythrosine; the 200 mg capsules also contain indigo carmine.

Diflucan capsules are not available in New Zealand.

Oral Suspension contains the inactive ingredient sucrose, colloidal anhydrous silica, xanthan gum, sodium citrate, citric acid, sodium benzoate, titanium dioxide, natural orange flavour.

Dose advice: How to use Diflucan

Before you take Diflucan

When you must not take it

Do not take Diflucan if you have an allergy to:

• Any medicine containing fluconazole;
• Medicines related to fluconazole such as miconazole, ketoconazole or clotrimazole;
• Any of the ingredients listed here.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Diflucan should not be given if you are taking cisapride (a medicine used to treat stomach problems).

Do not take this medicine if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the packaging has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have any other health problems, including:

• Any liver problems;
• Any heart problems;
• Any kidney problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Diflucan.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and Diflucan may interfere with each other. These include:

• Some medicines for diabetes such as glipizide, tolbutamide or glibenclamide;
• Some antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs such as rifampicin, rifabutin, zidovudine, amphotericin B, erythromycin or voriconazole;
• Some drugs used for heart problems, such as quinidine or verapamil;
• Some drugs used in problems with the immune system, such as cyclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus or tofacitinib;
• Cyclophosphamide (used to treat certain types of cancers);
• Warfarin (used to stop blood clots);
• Phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy);
• Theophylline (used to treat asthma);
• Some benzodiazepines such as midazolam;
• Hydrochlorothiazide (used for treating fluid problems);
• The contraceptive pill (birth control pill);
• Carbamazepine (used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder);
• NSAIDs such as naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib;
• Opioid painkillers such as alfentanil, fentanyl and methadone;
• Losartan (used for treating high blood pressure);
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline.

These medicines and some others may be affected by Diflucan or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Diflucan.

How to take Diflucan

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained here.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box or bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Depending on how serious the infection is, and how you react to the medicine, your doctor may ask you to take a different dose.

 Adults

The dose will depend on your infection and how you respond to Diflucan. It usually ranges from 50 mg to 400 mg once daily.

Children

The dose for a child will depend on body weight and usually ranges from 3 mg to 12 mg per kilogram of body weight.

In very young children (below 4 weeks of age), Diflucan is usually given every second or third day.

How to take it

Capsules

Swallow the capsules whole with water.

Oral suspension

Shake the bottle well and accurately measure the dose with a medicine measure. Only take it by mouth.

When to take it

Try to take your medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take it.

It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.

How long to take it

Continue taking Diflucan until you finish the pack or bottle or until your doctor recommends. The length of time you take Diflucan will depend on the sort of infection you have. Patients with a weakened immune system or those with difficult infections may need long-term treatment to prevent the infection from returning.

Do not stop taking your Diflucan because you are feeling better. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the National Poisons Information Centre (telephone Australia 13 11 26; New Zealand 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) for advice if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Diflucan. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

While you are taking it

Things you must do

If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.

If you are a woman of childbearing age, you should avoid becoming pregnant while taking Diflucan. If you do become pregnant while taking Diflucan, tell your doctor immediately.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Diflucan.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking Diflucan.

Things you must not do

Do not stop taking Diflucan or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of the organisms causing your infection may not be killed. These organisms may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or may return.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not use Diflucan to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Things to be careful of

Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice if regular checks on your liver are recommended. In rare cases, Diflucan may affect the liver and may need to be stopped.

If you suffer from HIV or have a weakened immune system and develop a rash while taking Diflucan, tell your doctor immediately. If this rash worsens, Diflucan may need to be stopped.

Be careful when driving vehicles or operating machinery as occasional dizziness or seizures may occur.

After using Diflucan

Storage

Keep your medicine in its original pack until it is time to take it. If you take it out of the pack it may not keep well.

Keep Diflucan capsules and oral suspension in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a windowsill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep your medicine where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine, or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

Discard any oral suspension left over after 14 days.

Schedule of Diflucan

Diflucan is a prescription only medicine (S4).

Side effects of Diflucan

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Diflucan. This medicine helps most people with fungal and yeast infections, but it may have a few unwanted effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• Nausea or feeling sick, vomiting;
• Headache;
• Stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhoea;
• Acne.

The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

• Tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing;
• Asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath;
• Sudden or severe itching, skin rash, hives;
• Fainting, seizures or fits;
• Flaking of the skin;
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes also called jaundice;
• Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, reddish or purplish blotches under the skin;
• Signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers;
• Fast or irregular heartbeat;
• Increased sweating.

These side effects are usually rare but can be serious and need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may also occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.

For further information talk to your doctor.

References

1. Diflucan Consumer Medicine Information (CMI). West Ryde, NSW:  Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd.  May 2015. [PDF]
2. Diflucan Product Information (PI). West Ryde, NSW: Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd. September 2017. [PDF]