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WHAT TO KNOW
Do not take fluconazole if you are taking cisapride
(Propulsid). Combined with cisapride (Propulsid),
fluconazole could cause serious, even fatal, heart
problems. In rare cases, fluconazole has caused severe
liver damage, sometimes resulting in death. Notify
your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite,
yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, or clay
colored stools. These symptoms may be early signs
of liver damage. In rare cases, fluconazole has also
caused severe skin rash, sometimes resulting in death.
Notify your doctor immediately fi you develop a rash
while taking fluconazole. Take all of the fluconazole
that has been prescribed for you even if you begin
to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve
before the infection is completely treated.
What Is Fluconazole?
Fluconazole is an antifungal med. It is like an antibiotic
but is used to treat fungal infections. Fluconazole
is used to treat yeast infections of the mouth, throat,
and esophagus; vaginal yeast infections; fungal urinary
tract infections; pneumonia caused by yeast; and
fungal infections throughout the whole body and in
the blood. Fluconazole is also used to prevent fungal
infections from occurring in people with suppressed
immune systems such as cancer chemotherapy patients,
organ transplant patients, and AIDS patients. Fluconazole
may also be used for purposes other than those listed
in this med guide.
How To Use Fluconazole
Take fluconazole exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask
your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them
to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water.
A single dose of this med is often used to treat
vaginal yeast infections. In multiple-dose therapy,
a double dose of fluconazole is often taken on the
first day of treatment to quickly get the proper
amount of medicine into your body. Follow your doctor's
directions. Shake the suspension well before measuring
a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose,
measure the suspension using a dose-measuring spoon,
cup, or dropper, not a regular table spoon. If you
do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
where you can get one. Store the tablets at room
temperature away from moisture and heat. The suspension
can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Do not let it freeze. Throw away any unused suspension
after 14 days.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed
and take only your next regularly scheduled dose as directed.
Do not take a double dose of this med unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
Fluconazole OverDose
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a fluconazole
overdose include confusion, hallucinations, paranoia,
decreased movement, decreased breathing, tearing
eyes, drooling, urinary incontinence, seizures, and
death.
Side Effects
If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking fluconazole and seek emergency
medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing
of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face;
or hives)
liver damage (pale stools, yellowish skin or eyes,
abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, or dark urine); or
a rash.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely
to occur. If you experience any of the following side
effects, continue taking fluconazole and talk to your
doctor:
nausea
vomiting
abdominal pain
diarrhea
headache
dizziness
fatigue
itching
Side effects other than those listed here may also
occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that
seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Contra Indications
Use alcohol with moderation while taking fluconazole.
Alcohol and fluconazole can both affect your liver.
Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous
activities. Fluconazole may cause dizziness. If you
experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
Fluconazole Precautions
Do not take fluconazole if you are taking cisapride
(Propulsid). Combined with cisapride (Propulsid),
fluconazole could cause serious, even fatal, heart
problems. Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor
if you have any other medical conditions, especially
kidney disease, or if you take other medicines. You
may not be able to take fluconazole, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
your treatment. Fluconazole is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether
it will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this med
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Fluconazole passes into breast milk and may harm
a nursing baby. For this reason, fluconazole should
not be taken by nursing mothers. Do not take this
med without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Drug Interactions
Do not take fluconazole if you are taking cisapride
(Propulsid). Combined with cisapride (Propulsid),
fluconazole could cause serious, even fatal, heart
problems. Before taking fluconazole, tell your doctor
if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the following:
an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol)
glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), tolbutamide
(Orinase)
tolazamide (Tolinase)
chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
warfarin (Coumadin)
phenytoin (Dilantin, others)
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
tacrolimus ((Prograf)
rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin,
Slo-Phyllin, others)
astemizole (Hismanal).
You may not be able to take Fluconazole, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed
above. Drugs other than those listed here may also
interact with fluconazole or affect your condition.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
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