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Fluconazole
Brand
Name: Diflucan
Most
Common Medical Uses
Diflucan
is an antifungal medication. It is like an antibiotic but is most
commonly used to treat yeast infections of the mouth, throat, and
esophagus; vaginal yeast infections; fungal urinary tract infections;
pneumonia caused by yeast; and fungal infections throughout the
whole body and in the blood. Diflucan is also used to prevent fungal
infections from occurring in people with suppressed immune systems
such as cancer chemotherapy patients, organ transplant patients,
and AIDS patients. Diflucan may also be used for purposes other
than those listed here.
How
to Take This Medication
Take
Diflucan exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with
a full glass of water. Diflucan can be taken with or without food.
Possible
Side Effects
If
you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
Diflucan and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor
immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing
of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
liver damage (pale stools, yellowish skin or eyes, abdominal pain,
unusual fatigue, or dark urine); or a rash. Other, less serious
side effects may be more likely to occur. If you experience any
of the following side effects, continue taking Diflucan and talk
to your doctor: nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; diarrhea; headache;
dizziness; fatigue; or itching. Side effects other than those listed
here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that
seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions
Do
not take Diflucan if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid). Combined
with cisapride (Propulsid), Diflucan could cause serious, even fatal,
heart problems. In rare cases, Diflucan has caused severe liver
damage, sometimes resulting in death. Notify your doctor immediately
if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue,
loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, or clay
colored stools. These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.
In rare cases, Diflucan has also caused severe skin rash, sometimes
resulting in death. Notify your doctor immediately fi you develop
a rash while taking Diflucan. Take all of the Diflucan that has
been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms
may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Drug
Interactions
Do
not take Diflucan if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid). Combined
with cisapride (Propulsid), Diflucan could cause serious, even fatal,
heart problems. Before taking Diflucan, tell your doctor if you
are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide
(Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide
(Tolinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and others; warfarin (Coumadin);
phenytoin (Dilantin, others); cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
tacrolimus ((Prograf); rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin,
Rimactane); or theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin,
Slo-Phyllin, others); or astemizole (Hismanal). You may not be able
to take Diflucan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines
listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact
with Diflucan or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Missed
Dose
Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next
regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose
of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Storage
Store
the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The
suspension form can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Do not let it freeze. Throw away any unused suspension after 14
days. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Notes
Do
not share Diflucan with others for whom it was not prescribed, since
they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this
drug. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions.
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