Ships from the UK

Diflucan (fluconazole) is an antifungal drug used to treat local or systemic infections of Candida strains of yeast, most notably Candida albicans.

Candida occurs naturally in the human gut and on human skin; it causes problems only when the body is unable to keep its growth in check. Untreated, Candida overgrowth can be painful, disfiguring, and may lead to life-threatening complications.

Diflucan destroys the integrity of fungal cell walls, preventing the fungus from thriving or reproducing, and ultimately causing cell death, allowing the body to regain control.

Treating Candida Infections

Candida overgrowth can cause infections all over the body:

• Oral Thrush
• Vaginal or penile yeast infection
• Urinary tract infections
• Toenail or fingernail infections
• Fungal meningitis
• Fungal pneumonia
• Systemic infections
• Many other infections

Unfortunately symptoms may appear similar when infections are caused by other agents. Diflucan is not likely to be helpful in treating infections that are not caused by Candida; in the interest of fast recovery, infections should be identified by a doctor before starting treatment.

Diflucan treatment can vary widely in both dosage and duration depending on the type and severity of the infection:

• Oral thrush - 200 mg on the first day, 100 mg per day for a minimum of 2 weeks.
• Vaginal or penile yeast infections - A single dose of 150 mg.
• Urinary tract infections - 200 mg on the first day, 100 mg per day for 4 days.
• Infection of fingernails - 150 to 450 mg once per week, for 6 to 12 months.
• Infection of toenails - 150 to 450 mg once per week, for 3 to 6 months.
• Fungal meningitis - 400 mg on the first day, 200 to 400 mg daily for a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks.
• Fungal pneumonia - 400 mg on the first day, 200 mg per day for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks.
• Systemic infection - 400 mg on the first day, 200 to 400 mg per day for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks.

Symptoms will often disappear within days of starting treatment; it's important to complete treatment regardless to prevent a resurgence of the infection, as well as to prevent resistant strains of the yeast from developing. It's not unusual for treatment to continue for several weeks even after the infection is no longer detectable with laboratory equipment.

Some other tips to keep in mind during treatment:

• The first dose is usually a large "loading dose", typically twice as large as the daily dose taken for the remainder of treatment, to quickly elevate levels of the drug in the body.
• Taking daily doses at the same time each day will help maintain high levels of the drug in the body, maximizing effectiveness.
• Doses may be taken with or without food according to personal preference.

Note that above administration information is applicable to otherwise healthy adults. Children and patients with major medical issues will likely need modified doses, which should be determined by a doctor.

Patients with severely compromised immune systems, such as from HIV, chemotherapy, organ transplants, or other major medical conditions, may require larger doses and longer treatment than described above, and Diflucan may be more effective delivered intravenously in these cases.

Potential Side Effects

Most patients take Diflucan without any problems; if side effects are experienced, they're usually mild and transient:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Unpleasant taste in mouth
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea

In rare cases more serious reactions occur; stop taking Diflucan until speaking with a doctor if experiencing:

• Severe nausea or stomach pain
• Stomach pain that radiates to the back
• Severe itching
• Jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin)
• Skin rash, peeling or blistering
• Seizures
• Severe flu-like symptoms
• Unusually easy bruising or bleeding

Also note that Diflucan can cause serious interfere with the potency of other medications; check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing treatments.