DIFLUCAN (FLUCONAZOLE)

Diflucan Description

Your doctor may prescribe Diflucan or generic Fluconazole to treat fungal infections that affect your mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area, or your blood. The majority of fungal infections are caused by Candida, the same as what we can find living on our skin. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Typically the fungi that call our skin ‘home’ do not bother us. However, a shift in the amount of them on our skin can increase due to warm weather, poor hygiene, a weakened or compromised immune system, or from taking broad-spectrum antibiotics which also kill the harmless bacteria that keep Candida in line.

About Diflucan and How it Works on Fungi

Diflucan is a triazole medication that is effective for treating more serious fungal infections that can be found inside your body and as a preventive drug for immunosuppressed individuals including chemotherapy patients, ICU (intensive care unit) patients, or those who have undergone an organ transplant.

When taken as directed, Diflucan inhibits the enzyme that is essential for converting lanosterol to ergosterol; this is an important component of fungal cell walls. Without ergosterol, the integrity of the cell walls are compromised and cellular contents will leak out. This makes it impossible for the fungi to grow and multiply. Your infection clears up as the remaining fungi die.

Conditions Treated by Diflucan

Invasive Candidiasis is a serious infection that can appear in your blood, heart, bones, and other body parts. Usually those that develop this type of fungal infection are already unwell due to other medical conditions that make it more difficult for medical personnel to detect. If an antibiotic treatment for suspected bacterial infection has failed to show improvement because you still exhibit a fever with chills, then a fungal infection may be suspected and treatment with Diflucan can be started.

Before Diflucan is Prescribed

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding before taking Diflucan as it may be harmful to your unborn or nursing baby. Your doctor should be told about other medical conditions or allergies you have and will need to know about any OTC or Rx drugs you take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements so it can be determined if Diflucan is safe for you to take.

Diflucan Precautions and Recommendations

Do not stop taking Diflucan before the treatment time prescribed by your doctor as the infection could return and the fungi may have developed a resistance to the drug. Taking Diflucan can make oral contraceptives less effective so you should also use a non-hormonal birth control. Your doctor may need to change the dosage of your other medications to reduce the risk of possible interactions with Diflucan.

Possible Side Effects of Diflucan

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Dizziness
• Stomach upset or pain