(Diflucan® is another name for this medication.)

Use: Fluconazole is used to treat fungal infections, including yeast infections of the vagina, mouth, throat, esophagus, abdomen, lungs, blood, and other organs. Fluconazole is also used to treat meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spine ) caused by fungus. Fluconazole is also used to prevent yeast infections in patients who are likely to become infected because they are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy before a bone marrow transplant (replacement of unhealthy spongy tissue inside the bones with healthy tissue). Fluconazole is in a class of antifungals called triazoles. It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.

Fluconazole comes as a compounded capsule and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. You may need to take only one dose of fluconazole, or you may need to take fluconazole for several weeks or longer. The length of your treatment depends on your condition and on how well you respond to fluconazole. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fluconazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Side Effects: Fluconazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache, dizziness, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, change in ability to taste food. Some side effects can be serious: upset stomach, extreme tiredness, unusual bruising or bleeding, lack of energy, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, seizures, rash, hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Symptoms of overdose may include: hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), extreme fear that others are trying to harm you.

If you miss a dose of this medication you should give it as soon as you remember it, but if it is within a few hours of the regularly scheduled dose, wait and give it at the regular time. Do not double a dose as this can be toxic to your pet.