Fluconazole
Also known as: Diflucan, Azocan
Fluconazole is an antifungal medicine used for thrush and other fungal infections. The NHS says fluconazole is not usually recommended in pregnancy but may be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. A pharmacist or doctor is asked before use in pregnancy.
- Generic name
- Fluconazole
- Active ingredient
- Fluconazole
- Product type
- Small-molecule medicine
- Drug class
- Azole antifungals
- Brand names
- UK Diflucan, Azocan, Canesten Thrush Oral Capsules
- Routes
- Oral
- Dosage forms
- Capsule, Solution
- Also known as
- Diflucan, Azocan
- Usual preparations
- The NHS describes capsules or a liquid to swallow, and says the length of treatment depends on the kind of infection. (summary of the cited reference, not a prescription)
- Onset and duration
- The NHS says symptoms of vaginal thrush, balanitis or oral thrush should be better within a week, and that a serious fungal infection can take longer, 1 to 2 weeks, to work fully.
- Monitoring
- UK product information says prothrombin time, a blood clotting test, should be carefully monitored in people taking warfarin-type anticoagulants with fluconazole.
Availability by country
| Country | Status | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Prescription only | Needed for other infections, longer courses and prevention | UK |
| UK | Pharmacy or behind the counter | Capsules for vaginal thrush or balanitis can be bought from a pharmacy | UK |
Legal status differs between countries and can change; each row cites the document it was taken from and applies only to the country named.
What it is used for
- Thrush in men and women, including vaginal thrush
- Balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis)
- Oral thrush
- Cryptococcal meningitis, a fungal brain infection
- Preventing fungal infections in people at high risk, such as those with HIV or a weakened immune system
How it works in the body
Fluconazole is an antifungal medicine. The NHS says fluconazole kills the fungus causing the infection by making holes in the fungus's cell membrane so that the contents leak out. MedlinePlus describes fluconazole as slowing the growth of the fungi that cause infection. Azole antifungals block a step in the making of ergosterol, a main part of fungal cell membranes.
Common side effects
- The NHS lists stomach pain or discomfort, diarrhoea, headache, feeling or being sick and rash as common side effects, with nausea and diarrhoea the most common.
- Dizziness is uncommon; the NHS advises not driving or cycling until the feeling goes away.
- The NHS says fluconazole is not likely to affect contraception, but vomiting or severe diarrhoea can mean contraceptive pills do not protect against pregnancy.
Serious: seek help
- A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), another hypersensitivity reaction or a severe skin reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome needs a 999 call, according to the NHS.
- Liver problems can show as itching, darker urine, pale stools or yellowing of the skin or eyes, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin; the NHS advises calling NHS 111 for any other serious side effect.
Cautions and interactions
- The NHS says fluconazole is not usually recommended in pregnancy but may be used if the benefits outweigh the risks.
- The NHS advises contraception for anyone who could become pregnant while taking fluconazole and for a short time after stopping, because the medicine could harm a baby or increase the chance of miscarriage.
- The NHS lists an allergic reaction or serious side effect from fluconazole or another antifungal, liver or kidney problems, heart problems including rhythm problems, abnormal potassium, calcium or magnesium levels, and porphyria (a rare blood condition) as reasons fluconazole may not be suitable.
- For vaginal thrush or balanitis, the NHS says most adults and children aged 16 or over can take fluconazole, while younger children, and people 16 or over who need it for other conditions, can take it if a doctor prescribes it.
- The NHS names pimozide, quetiapine, amisulpride, haloperidol, lithium, risperidone, escitalopram, venlafaxine, warfarin, dabigatran, clopidogrel and statins among medicines to discuss with a doctor before starting fluconazole.
- The NHS says alcohol can be drunk while taking fluconazole.
Interactions
Check interactions
Taking Fluconazole with other medicines? Add them to the checker to see what the official sources say about each pair: the mechanism, general management and monitoring, never a bare "safe".
Interactions documented in the official sources cited on each card. The list covers the medicines represented on this site and is not exhaustive; how the interaction data is compiled.
No pair records for this medicine are in the sources currently represented by Anatomy Nexus. Absence from this list does not mean no interaction exists.
Same-class and related medicines
Related medicines
Medicines often discussed alongside Fluconazole: used together, compared with it, or acting on the same problem by a different route.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Also called | Brand names include Diflucan, Azocan and Canesten Thrush Oral Capsules |
| Type of medicine | Antifungal (azole) |
| Used for | Thrush, cryptococcal meningitis, and preventing fungal infections in people at high risk |
| Form | Capsules or a liquid to swallow |
| Available | On prescription; from pharmacies for vaginal thrush or balanitis |
| Pregnancy | Not usually recommended; a pharmacist or doctor is asked first |
| Alcohol | The NHS says it can be drunk during treatment |
What is fluconazole used for?
Fluconazole is an antifungal medicine. The NHS says it is used to treat infections caused by different kinds of fungus. These include thrush in men and women, such as vaginal thrush, balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis) and oral thrush, and a fungal brain infection called cryptococcal meningitis. It is also used to prevent fungal infections in people at high risk, such as those with HIV or a weakened immune system. The NHS says fluconazole is available on prescription and can also be bought from a pharmacy for vaginal thrush or balanitis. The NHS says pharmacy purchase covers vaginal thrush or balanitis; the brand names it gives include Azocan and Canesten Thrush Oral Capsules.
How does fluconazole work?
The NHS says fluconazole kills the fungus causing the infection by making holes in the fungus's cell membrane so that the contents leak out. MedlinePlus describes fluconazole as slowing the growth of the fungi that cause infection. Azole antifungals block a step in the making of ergosterol, a main part of fungal cell membranes. The NHS says symptoms of vaginal thrush, balanitis or oral thrush should be better within a week, and that a serious fungal infection can take longer, 1 to 2 weeks, to work fully. The NHS advises seeing a doctor if symptoms of thrush are not better within the expected time. The NHS describes capsules or a liquid to swallow, and says the length of treatment depends on the kind of infection.
What are the side effects of fluconazole?
The NHS lists stomach pain or discomfort, diarrhoea, headache, feeling or being sick and rash as common side effects, with nausea and diarrhoea the most common. Dizziness is uncommon; the NHS advises not driving or cycling until the feeling goes away. The NHS says fluconazole is not likely to affect contraception, but vomiting or severe diarrhoea can mean contraceptive pills do not protect against pregnancy. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), another hypersensitivity reaction or a severe skin reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome needs a 999 call, according to the NHS. Liver problems can show as itching, darker urine, pale stools or yellowing of the skin or eyes, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin; the NHS advises calling NHS 111 for any other serious side effect.
Who needs extra care with fluconazole?
The NHS lists an allergic reaction or serious side effect from fluconazole or another antifungal, liver or kidney problems, heart problems including rhythm problems, abnormal potassium, calcium or magnesium levels, and porphyria (a rare blood condition) as reasons fluconazole may not be suitable. For vaginal thrush or balanitis, the NHS says most adults and children aged 16 or over can take fluconazole, while younger children, and people 16 or over who need it for other conditions, can take it if a doctor prescribes it. The NHS says fluconazole is not usually recommended in pregnancy but may be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. The NHS advises contraception for anyone who could become pregnant while taking fluconazole and for a short time after stopping, because the medicine could harm a baby or increase the chance of miscarriage. UK product information says prothrombin time, a blood clotting test, should be carefully monitored in people taking warfarin-type anticoagulants with fluconazole.
Fluconazole with other medicines and alcohol
The NHS names pimozide, quetiapine, amisulpride, haloperidol, lithium, risperidone, escitalopram, venlafaxine, warfarin, dabigatran, clopidogrel and statins among medicines to discuss with a doctor before starting fluconazole. A pharmacist or doctor can say whether a particular combination causes problems. The NHS says alcohol can be drunk while taking fluconazole.
Frequently asked questions
Can fluconazole be taken in pregnancy?
The NHS says fluconazole is not usually recommended in pregnancy but may be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. Anyone who is pregnant or might be pregnant is asked to speak to a pharmacist or doctor first.
Can fluconazole be bought from a pharmacy?
The NHS says fluconazole is available on prescription and can also be bought from a pharmacy for vaginal thrush or balanitis. For vaginal thrush or balanitis, the NHS says most adults and children aged 16 or over can take fluconazole, while younger children, and people 16 or over who need it for other conditions, can take it if a doctor prescribes it.
How long does fluconazole take to work for thrush?
The NHS says symptoms of vaginal thrush, balanitis or oral thrush should be better within a week, and that a serious fungal infection can take longer, 1 to 2 weeks, to work fully.
Can alcohol be drunk during fluconazole treatment?
The NHS says alcohol can be drunk while taking fluconazole. Dizziness is uncommon; the NHS advises not driving or cycling until the feeling goes away.
Does fluconazole affect the contraceptive pill?
The NHS says fluconazole is not likely to affect contraception, but vomiting or severe diarrhoea can mean contraceptive pills do not protect against pregnancy. The NHS advises contraception for anyone who could become pregnant while taking fluconazole and for a short time after stopping, because the medicine could harm a baby or increase the chance of miscarriage.
Connected pages in detail
What each linked page on Anatomy Nexus covers, in a line, for Fluconazole.
Symptoms
- Rash Any change in the colour or texture of the skin.
- Nausea The unpleasant sensation of being about to vomit.
Medications
- Warfarin The long-established oral anticoagulant that blocks vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
- Clopidogrel An antiplatelet medicine that stops platelets clumping by blocking their P2Y12 receptor, taken to prevent clots after a heart attack, stent.
Drug classes
- Azole antifungals Antifungal medicines, including fluconazole, used for thrush and other fungal infections.