fluconazole suspension - oral, Diflucan

BRAND NAME(S): Diflucan

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Fluconazole is an azole antifungal medication used to prevent and treat a variety of fungal and yeast infections.

HOW TO USE: Shake the bottle well before each dose. Measure the prescribed dose carefully using a measuring device.Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually once a day, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.This medication comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have about this medicine.This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, remember to use it at the same time each day as directed.Continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow the fungus or yeast to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset/pain, headache, dizziness, or hair loss may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe dizziness, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat.This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. If you notice any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness.A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungal drugs (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole); or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease.Fluconazole may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (see also Drug Interactions section). Before using fluconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using fluconazole safely.Although uncommon, this drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.Because kidney function can decrease with age, use caution in the elderly as they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicationThis medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.Fluconazole passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medication because a very serious interaction may occur: cisapride.If you are currently using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting fluconazole.Many drugs besides fluconazole may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), among others. Therefore, before using fluconazole, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal drugs you may use, especially of: rifamycins (e.g., rifabutin, rifampin), warfarin.Fluconazole can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, thereby affecting how they work. These affected drugs include amitriptyline, certain drugs that affect the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus), certain calcium channel blockers (e.g., felodipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine), eplerenone, certain "statin" cholesterol medications (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin), celecoxib, certain drugs to treat diabetes (glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide), certain benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam), certain anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin), zidovudine. This is not a complete list.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

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OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: hallucinations, mental/mood changes.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store the US product between 41-86 degrees F (5-30 degrees C). Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Discard any unused medication after 14 days.Store the Canadian product at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. Discard any unused medication after 14 days.Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.