Fluconazole oral tablet dosage

This article describes fluconazole oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for fluconazole.

If you want to know more about fluconazole oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Fluconazole oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Diflucan. Fluconazole also comes in injectable and oral liquid forms, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

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Form and strengths of fluconazole

Fluconazole oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg

Fluconazole dosage

This article describes the recommended dosages* for fluconazole oral tablet.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of fluconazole oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drug’s manufacturer provides these recommended dosages.

Usual recommended dosages of fluconazole in adults

Doctors usually prescribe fluconazole to adults for infections caused by a type of yeast called Candida. Candida is sometimes called a fungus. Doctors also may prescribe fluconazole to treat certain types of fungus other than Candida.

Usually, doctors prescribe the dosage of fluconazole oral tablet that’s recommended to treat your specific infection. Your treatment may last a few days or a few weeks.

If needed, your doctor will adjust your dosage over time until the right one is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of fluconazole oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

Dosages for yeast infection and other conditions caused by Candida

Typical recommended dosages of fluconazole for different types of infections are shown below.

For certain conditions, you may take fluconazole for at least 2 weeks after your symptoms stop. Your doctor will prescribe fluconazole for the right amount of time for your condition.

• treat vaginal yeast infection
  • Dose: 150 mg
  • Frequency: one single dose

• treat esophagus infection
  • Dose on day 1: 200 mg
  • Dose on day 2 and after: 100 mg
  • Frequency: daily for 3 weeks or longer
  • Maximum dosage: 400 mg per day

• treat mouth and throat infection
  • Dose on day 1: 200 mg
  • Dose on day 2 and after: 100 mg
  • Frequency: daily for 2 weeks or longer

• treat urinary tract infection (UTI) or abdominal tissue infection
  • Dose: 50–200 mg
  • Frequency: once per day

• treat blood infection, lung infection, or other serious Candida infection
  • Dose: 400 mg or less
  • Frequency: once per day

• prevent Candida infection in people getting a bone marrow transplant
  • Dose: 400 mg
  • Frequency before surgery: daily for several days*
  • Frequency after white blood cell levels rise above 1,000 cells per mm³: daily for 7 days*

* Length of treatment may differ before and after bone marrow transplant, depending on your white blood cell levels. If you have or expect to have a severely low white blood cell count, your doctor may start fluconazole earlier. Also, they may continue it for 7 days after your white blood cell level rises above 1,000 cells per mm³. (The term “mm³” represents cubic millimeters, which is a measure of volume.)

Dosage for fungal meningitis

Typical recommended dosages of fluconazole for meningitis caused by a certain fungus other than Candida are shown below. Meningitis is inflammation of the lining that surrounds your brain and spinal cord.

• treat fungal meningitis
  • Dose on day 1: 400 mg
  • Dose on day 2 and after: 200 mg
  • Frequency: daily for 10–12 weeks after you test negative for infection
  • Maximum dosage: 400 mg daily

• prevent return of meningitis caused by fungus in people who have AIDS
  • Dose: 200 mg
  • Frequency: once per day

Dosages of fluconazole in children

Doctors prescribe fluconazole to children for infections caused by a type of yeast called Candida. Candida is sometimes called a fungus. Fluconazole is approved for use in certain children.

The fluconazole dosages in children are based on body weight and severity of the infection. Your child’s dose will be measured in mg per kilogram (mg/kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Below are some dosages of fluconazole reported by the drug’s manufacturer. Your child’s doctor will determine the dosage that is best for your child’s condition.

• treat blood infection or another Candida infection affecting the overall body in children ages 3 months and older
  • Dose: 6–12 mg/kg
  • Frequency: once per day

• treat esophagus infection in children ages 6 months and older
  • Dose on day 1: 6 mg/kg
  • Dose on day 2 and after: 3 mg/kg
  • Frequency: once per day for 3 weeks or longer
  • Maximum dosage: 12 mg/kg once per day

• treat mouth and throat infection in children ages 6 months and older
  • Dose on day 1: 6 mg/kg
  • Dose on day 2 and after: 3 mg/kg
  • Frequency: once per day for 2 weeks or longer

• treat meningitis caused by a certain fungus other than Candida
  • Dose on day 1: 12 mg/kg
  • Dose on day 2 and after: 6 mg/kg
  • Frequency: once per day for 10–12 weeks after a test that is negative for infection
  • Maximum daily dosage: 12 mg/kg once per day

• prevent return of fungal meningitis in children who have AIDS
  • Dose: 6 mg/kg
  • Frequency: once per day

For example, assume a doctor prescribes fluconazole oral tablet to treat a child’s throat infection. The child is 10 years old and weighs 30 kg (about 66 lb). Using the recommended dosage of 6 mg/kg, the child’s dose on day 1 will be 180 mg. (A dose of 180 mg rounds to the nearest available dose, 200 mg.) The child’s dose on day 2 and after will be 90 mg. (A dose of 90 mg rounds to the nearest available dose, 100 mg.)

Dosage adjustments for fluconazole

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of fluconazole oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and its severity
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you may take
• how your body reacts to the first dose
• your kidney function

Missed dose of fluconazole

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of fluconazole oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of fluconazole oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about fluconazole oral tablet and its dosage.

Is there a fluconazole dose that you take once a week?

The drug’s manufacturer does not give a recommendation for a weekly dosage of fluconazole. But fluconazole has been studied as a treatment taken once per week to prevent vaginal yeast infections from returning. This is an off-label use of the drug. That means it’s used for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat or prevent.

When drugs are used off-label, doctors rely on current research and expert opinion to prescribe a dosage.

To learn more about fluconazole for preventing yeast infections from returning, talk with your doctor.

Can fluconazole be taken for skin infections? If so, what is the dosage?

Fluconazole has been used off-label to treat skin infections caused by fungus. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat or prevent. Fluconazole may be effective for treating fungal infections of the foot, nails, scalp, and skin.

Your doctor can provide more information on this use of fluconazole.

Will my fluconazole dose differ from the recommended dose if I have kidney problems?

Yes, it likely will differ. Doctors prescribe a lower fluconazole dosage for people who have kidney problems. This is because your kidneys help your body process the drug. And having a kidney problem could affect how your kidneys clear the drug from your body.

Talk with your doctor about the fluconazole dosage that is best for you.

Is fluconazole taken long term?

Doctors don’t typically prescribe fluconazole oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.

But sometimes fluconazole is taken long term to suppress or prevent infection.

If you have questions about how long you should take fluconazole oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How fluconazole is taken

You’ll swallow fluconazole oral tablet, usually once per day. You can take it with or without food.

When you start taking it, don’t drive or do other tasks that require you to be alert. Wait until you know how it affects you.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This can help the drug work more effectively. It does so by keeping a consistent amount of the drug in your body.

The drug’s manufacturer doesn’t state whether the tablet can be split, crushed, or chewed. You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking the tablets whole. You can also view this article if it’s hard for you to swallow tablets. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Fluconazole coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for fluconazole when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

You can refer to this article for details about the cost of fluconazole treatment.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of fluconazole

It’s important that you do not take more fluconazole oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of fluconazole overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• paranoia
• seeing or hearing things that aren’t real

What to do if you take too much fluconazole

If you think you’ve taken too much fluconazole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for fluconazole oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of fluconazole oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take fluconazole oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will it take for my fluconazole dosage to make me feel better?
• Are there other medications to treat a yeast infection that have fewer side effects?
• Will a lower dose of fluconazole have a lower risk of drug interactions?
• How do I know when to stop my fluconazole dosage?
• Will my fluconazole dosage change during treatment?

Related articles

• Foods to avoid while taking fluconazole
• How long do fluconazole side effects last?
• How long does it take for fluconazole to work?
• Fluconazole tablet side effects
• How to take fluconazole

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.