What is Fluconazole: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Fluconazole

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

• Take all the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

• Fluconazole can be taken with or without food.

• Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water.

  • Tablets may be crushed or cut if needed.

• If taking or administering the oral suspension:

  • Shake the bottle well before measuring a dose.

  • Measure the dose using the oral syringe that comes with this medicine. Do not use kitchen utensils or measuring devices.

• Fluconazole injections are administered by healthcare providers.

• Store fluconazole tablets at room temperature. Don’t expose it to temperatures above 86˚.

• Store fluconazole oral suspension at temperatures between 41˚ and 77˚. Throw away unused medicine 14 days after the pharmacist mixed it with water.

What to do if you miss a dose of Fluconazole

• Take a dose as soon as it’s remembered.

• If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. 

• Most doctors prescribe one dose daily. Never take more than one dose each day. If a dose is missed and it’s the next day, skip the missed dose and take that day’s dose only.

• Do not take extra medicine to compensate for a missed dose.

Fluconazole contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to fluconazole or if you are pregnant.

Fluconazole warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• The prescribing doctor may need to regularly check your progress or monitor the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have:

  • Kidney disease

  • Liver problems

  • Heart disease

  • Heart failure

  • Heart rhythm abnormalities

  • Low potassium

  • HIV/AIDS

  • A history of allergies to any other azole antifungal drug

• Fluconazole can cause serious problems, including: 

  • Liver problems

  • Heart rhythm changes

  • Adrenal gland dysfunction

  • Serious allergic or skin reactions

• Fluconazole is not safe to take during pregnancy because it could harm an unborn baby. Immediately tell the doctor if you become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during fluconazole treatment and for at least one week after the last dose.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Fluconazole interactions

• To avoid possible drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking fluconazole.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications. 

• Fluconazole should never be taken with:

  • The antibiotics erythromycin or clarithromycin

  • The heart rhythm drug quinidine

  • The antipsychotic drugs cisapride or pimozide

  • The antihistamines astemizole or terfenadine

• Fluconazole has many potentially hazardous drug interactions. The list is very long and includes:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin

  • Tricyclic antidepressants

  • Some blood pressure drugs, including losartan, verapamil, or amlodipine

  • Drugs that lower cholesterol, called statins

  • Oral diabetes medications

  • Narcotic pain relievers

  • The migraine drugs Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) and Nurtec ODT (rimegepant)

  • Fluoroquinolone or macrolide antibiotics

  • Antiviral drugs that treat HIV/AIDS

  • Other oral azole antifungals

  • Heart rhythm medications

  • Cancer drugs Lynparza (olaparib), Imbruvica (ibrutinib), oxaliplatin, doxorubicin, and vinblastine

  • Drugs called SP1 receptor modulators, like the MS drug fingolimod

  • Certain types of anesthesia drugs

  • Alprazolam, amphotericin B, carbamazepine, Cibinqo (abrocitinib), cyclosporine, Dayvigo (lemborexant), hydroxychloroquine, ivacaftor, Latuda (lurasidone), midazolam, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, sirolimus, tacrolimus, tolvaptan, triazolam, warfarin, Xeljanz (tofacitinib)

• Avoid cannabis use when taking fluconazole.

• The probiotic yeast and diarrhea remedy Saccharomyces boulardii will probably have little or no effect on people taking antifungal medications like fluconazole.

Find more information about fluconazole interactions to avoid here.