Diflucan

Fluconazole (floo KON a zole) oral tablet is prescribed for fungal infections in adults and children. It’s a generic version of the brand-name drug Diflucan. Fluconazole belongs to a group of drugs called antifungals.

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD on April 7, 2023
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD

Introduction

This article describes fluconazole oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find coupon options for fluconazole.

Uses of fluconazole

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as fluconazole for certain conditions. Approved uses for fluconazole oral tablet are described below.

Use for certain fungal infections, including yeast infection

Doctors may prescribe fluconazole oral tablet for treating fungal infections. In some cases, doctors may also prescribe it to help prevent a fungal infection. It’s used for these purposes in adults and children who can swallow tablets. It can be prescribed as a short-term or long-term treatment, depending on the condition.

Your doctor may prescribe fluconazole to treat a yeast infection, which is a common type of fungal infection. A genital yeast infection can affect male* and female* genitals. A yeast infection can also affect the mouth. Oral thrush is the common name for this kind of yeast infection. Symptoms of either kind of yeast infection can include collections of a creamy white substance, redness or discoloration, soreness, and burning in the area.

Fungal infections can be serious. They can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, and blood infections. It’s also possible to have meningitis from a fungal infection. (Meningitis is swelling and damage in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.) Fluconazole may be prescribed to treat these types of infections.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Side effects of fluconazole

Fluconazole may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of fluconazole oral tablet and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age and overall health and any other medications you take.

To learn more about fluconazole oral tablet’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for fluconazole oral tablet.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with fluconazole oral tablet are listed below.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Fluconazole oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• belly pain
• changes in the way food tastes
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• indigestion (upset stomach)
• nausea
• skin rash
• vomiting
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for fluconazole” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of fluconazole oral tablet are listed below. With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common.

If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Fluconazole oral tablet’s serious side effects include:

• adrenal gland problems (such as the glands producing too much or too little of a hormone, or developing tumors)
• changes in the heart’s electrical signals, which can lead to serious and life threatening heart rhythm problems
• changes in kidney function
• liver problems
• seizures
• serious skin reactions, which may include severe rashes that peel
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for fluconazole” section below.

Dosage of fluconazole

The dosage of fluconazole oral tablet your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking fluconazole

Fluconazole oral tablet is taken by mouth.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take fluconazole oral tablet. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Fluconazole oral tablet can be taken with or without food.

See the “Common questions about fluconazole” section for information on missed doses and the best time to take this drug.

Overdose of fluconazole

You should not take more fluconazole than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Common questions about fluconazole

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about fluconazole oral tablet.

How does fluconazole work? And how long does it take to start working?

Fluconazole oral tablet is an antifungal drug. It stops fungi from growing by disrupting the cell membrane of fungi cells in a way that prevents the cells from reproducing. This helps your body get rid of the fungal infection.

Fluconazole oral tablet should start to work within a day or two. Symptoms usually begin to improve within that time. It can take several days for symptoms to go away completely.

Is fluconazole used for dogs?

Yes, veterinarians may use fluconazole to treat fungal infections in dogs and other animals. For more information, talk with your pet’s veterinarian.

Can fluconazole be used for skin infection?

Possibly. Fluconazole oral tablet isn’t approved to treat fungal skin infections, but doctors may choose to prescribe it off-label for certain serious skin infections. An example is a skin infection that hasn’t cleared with the treatment you apply to the skin.

It’s called an off-label use when doctors prescribe a drug for a condition other than its approved use. Talk with your doctor to learn more about this off-label use of fluconazole oral tablet.

How does fluconazole compare with other similar drugs, such as ketoconazole?

Ketoconazole is an antifungal drug that’s similar to fluconazole. They both belong to a group of antifungal drugs called azoles. Both drugs are prescribed for certain fungal infections, including yeast infections. And both come as oral tablets.

There are several drugs in the azole group of drugs. They each can have different uses, dosages, and precautions.

To find out more about drugs similar to fluconazole oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there a best time of day to take fluconazole? What should I do if I miss a dose?

No, you can take fluconazole oral tablet at any time of day. If you’re taking it for several days, try to take it at the same time each day. This will help keep a consistent level of drug in your body.

If you miss a dose of fluconazole oral tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double up and take two doses together. This could cause side effects.

If you need help deciding whether or not to take a missed dose, contact your doctor or a pharmacist.

Can fluconazole tablets be crushed, split, or chewed?

Possibly. Fluconazole’s drugmaker doesn’t give any advice about crushing, splitting, or chewing fluconazole oral tablet. Ask your pharmacist about taking your prescription in any of these ways.

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to help if it’s hard for you to swallow tablets. There’s a liquid form of fluconazole that may be easier to swallow. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if this is an option for you.

Interactions of fluconazole

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take fluconazole, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. They can check for interactions these items may cause with fluconazole. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for fluconazole” section below.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and fluconazole

Information about fluconazole and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Fluconazole and pregnancy

Fluconazole oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy unless you have a severe or life threatening fungal infection. In this case, the benefit of taking the drug may outweigh the risks.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with fluconazole.

Fluconazole and breastfeeding

In general, fluconazole oral tablet is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.

Fluconazole coupon

You may be able to save money on your prescription for fluconazole oral tablet by using our Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for fluconazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more about the cost of fluconazole in this article.

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

Warnings for fluconazole

Fluconazole should not be taken or should be taken cautiously by certain people. Precautions for taking this drug are described below.

Warnings

Fluconazole could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether fluconazole oral tablet is a safe option for you.

Tell your doctor about your overall health and any past health conditions before you take fluconazole oral tablet. Health conditions and other factors you and your doctor should discuss include:

• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• cancer
• problems with electrolytes (blood minerals)
• heart problems
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• medications you take

Allergic reaction

Fluconazole can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to fluconazole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe fluconazole. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to fluconazole, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes fluconazole oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about fluconazole or would like more details about it.

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

• Do fluconazole oral tablets expire?
• How does fluconazole compare with other drugs that could treat my condition?
• Is my risk of side effects higher than expected for any reason?

Article resources

• Fluconazole- fluconazole tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7e90f6c0-1ca0-4759-90d9-a133174eb740/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.