Fluconazole and its Uses
Generic Fluconazole is an azole antifungal used to treat
or prevent certain fungal infections.
Generic Fluconazole is most commonly used to treat fungal infections
of the mouth (thrush), esophagus (the tube that takes food from
the throat to the stomach), lungs, urinary tract, and vagina (yeast
infection).
Generic Fluconazole is also used for prevention of the recurrence
of cryptococcal meningitis in people with acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS) and to decrease the risk of candidiasis infection
in people undergoing bone marrow transplants who are treated with
chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
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Working Mechanism of Fluconazole
Generic Fluconazole works by preventing fungi from producing
a substance called ergosterol, which is a component of fungal cell
membranes. The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival.
They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the
contents of the cells from leaking out. Without ergosterol as part
of the cell membrane, the membrane is weakened and damaged, and
essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills
the fungi.
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Fluconazole Dose
Missed Dose of Fluconazole
Take the missed dose of Fluconazole as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for the next dose of Fluconazole, skip the dose
you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose as directed.
Do not take a double bb unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Excess Dose of Fluconazole
Generic Fluconazole in excess dose may show symptoms such as confusion,
hallucinations, paranoia, decreased movement, decreased breathing,
tearing eyes, drooling, urinary incontinence, seizures, and death.
Conditions for Storage of Generic Fluconazole
Store Generic Fluconazole at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
Potencies of Generic Fluconazole
Fluconazole Tablets: Fluconazole 50 mg, Fluconazole
150 mg & Fluconazole 200 mg
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Food and Drug Interactions with Fluconazole
- Generic Fluconazole must not be taken with the following medicines,
as it may increase their blood levels, resulting in a risk of
abnormal heart rhythms:
- astemizole
- cisapride
- terfenadine
- The antibiotic rifampicin (used for tuberculosis) lowers the
blood level of fluconazole, and your doctor may prescribe you
a larger than normal dose of fluconazole if you need both these
medicines.
- Generic Fluconazole may increase blood levels of the following
medicines:
- benzodiazepines (sedatives), e.g. midazolam (this may cause
increased drowsiness, and people taking both medicines may
need a lower dose of benzodiazepine)
- ciclosporin (monitoring of ciclosporin blood levels is recommended)
- phenytoin (phenytoin blood levels should be monitored if
you need both medicines; your doctor may need to reduce your
phenytoin dose)
- repaglinide
- rifabutin
- sulphonylureas used for diabetes, e.g. glibenclamide, glipizide (this does not usually affect blood sugar control, but may rarely cause hypoglycaemia in some people)
- tacrolimus
- theophylline
- zidovudine (also known as AZT)
- There have been a handful of reports of pregnancies in women
taking fluconazole together with the oral contraceptive pill.
It is not known if these pregnancies were due to the Generic fluconazole
making the pill less effective, but because of this very small
risk it may be advisable to use an additional barrier method of
contraception, e.g. a condom, while taking a course of fluconazole.
- The anti-blood-clotting effect of anticoagulants such as nicoumalone
and warfarin may be enhanced by Generic fluconazole. As this may
increase the risk of bleeding, people taking fluconazole with
an anticoagulant should have their bleeding time monitored.
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Contraindications with Fluconazole
Generic Fluconazole is contraindicated in the following:
- Allergy to azole antifungal medicines, e.g. itraconazole
- Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Allergy to one or any of its ingredients
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Generic Fluconazole should be used with caution in decreased kidney
function & liver Disorders.
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Adverse Effects with Fluconazole
The adverse effects associated with Fluconazole are:
- Headache
- Blood disorders
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)
- Dizziness
- Alteration in taste
- Seizures
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- A severe allergic rash of the mouth, throat, anus, genital
region, and eyes (Steven-Johnson
- ndrome)
- Liver disorders
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rash
- Alteration in results of liver function tests
- An extreme allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
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