PATIENT INFORMATION
DIFLUCAN (fluconazole tablets)
This leaflet contains important information about DIFLUCAN
(dye-FLEW-kan). It is not meant to take the place of your
doctor's instructions. Read this information carefully
before you take DIFLUCAN. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
if you do not understand any of this information or if
you want to know more about DIFLUCAN.
What Is DIFLUCAN?
DIFLUCAN is a tablet you swallow to treat vaginal yeast
infections caused by a yeast called Candida. DIFLUCAN
helps stop too much yeast from growing in the vagina so
the yeast infection goes away.
DIFLUCAN is different from other treatments for vaginal
yeast infections because it is a tablet taken by mouth.
DIFLUCAN is also used for other conditions. However, this
leaflet is only about using DIFLUCAN for vaginal yeast
infections. For information about using DIFLUCAN for other
reasons, ask your doctor or pharmacist. See the section
of this leaflet for information about vaginal yeast infections.
What Is A Vaginal Yeast Infection?
It is normal for a certain amount of yeast to be found
in the vagina. Sometimes too much yeast starts to grow
in the vagina and this can cause a yeast infection. Vaginal
yeast infections are common. About three out of every
four adult women will have at least one vaginal yeast
infection during their life.
Some medicines and medical conditions can increase your
chance of getting a yeast infection. If you are pregnant,
have diabetes, use birth control pills, or take antibiotics
you may get yeast infections more often than other women.
Personal hygiene and certain types of clothing may increase
your chances of getting a yeast infection. Ask your doctor
for tips on what you can do to help prevent vaginal yeast
infections.
If you get a vaginal yeast infection, you may have any
of the following symptoms:
· itching
· a burning feeling when you urinate
· redness
· soreness
· a thick white vaginal discharge that looks like
cottage cheese
What To Tell Your Doctor Before You Start DIFLUCAN?
Do not take Diflucan if you take certain medicines. They
can cause serious problems.
Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you
take including:
· diabetes medicines you take by mouth such as
glyburide, tolbutamide, glipizide
· blood thinners such as warfarin
· cyclosporine (used to prevent rejection of organ
transplants)
· rifampin or rifabutin (used for tuberculosis)
· astemizole (used for allergies)
· tacrolimus (used to prevent rejection of organ
transplants)
· phenytoin (used for seizures)
· theophylline (used for asthma)
· cisapride (Propulsid; used for stomach acid
problems)
Since there are many brand names for these medicines,
check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
· are taking any over-the-counter medicines you
can buy without a prescription, including natural or herbal
remedies
· have any liver problems.
· have any other medical conditions
· are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or think
you might be pregnant. Your doctor will discuss whether
DIFLUCAN is right for you.
· are breast-feeding. DIFLUCAN can pass through
breast milk to the baby.
· are allergic to any other medicines including
those used to treat yeast and other fungal infections.
· are allergic to any of the ingredients in DIFLUCAN.
The main ingredient of DIFLUCAN is fluconazole. If you
need to know the inactive ingredients, ask your doctor
or pharmacist.
Who Should Not Take DIFLUCAN?
To avoid a possible serious reaction, do NOT take DIFLUCAN
if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) since it can cause
changes in heartbeat in some people if taken with DIFLUCAN.
How Should I Take DIFLUCAN
Take DIFLUCAN by mouth with or without food. You can
take DIFLUCAN at any time of the day.
DIFLUCAN keeps working for several days to treat the
infection. Generally the symptoms start to go away after
24 hours. However, it may take several days for your symptoms
to go away completely. If there is no change in your symptoms
after a few days, call your doctor.
Just swallow 1 DIFLUCAN tablet to treat your vaginal
yeast infection.
What Should I Avoid While Taking DIFLUCAN?
Some medicines can affect how well DIFLUCAN works. Check
with your doctor before starting any new medicines within
seven days of taking DIFLUCAN.
What Are The Possible Side Effects of DIFLUCAN?
Like all medicines, DIFLUCAN may cause some side effects
that are usually mild to moderate.
The most common side effects of DIFLUCAN are:
· headache
· diarrhea
· nausea or upset stomach
· dizziness
· stomach pain
· changes in the way food tastes
Allergic reactions to DIFLUCAN are rare, but they can
be very serious if not treated right away by a doctor.
If you cannot reach your doctor, go to the nearest hospital
emergency room. Signs of an allergic reaction can include
shortness of breath; coughing; wheezing; fever; chills;
throbbing of the heart or ears; swelling of the eyelids,
face, mouth, neck, or any other part of the body; or skin
rash, hives, blisters or skin peeling.
Diflucan has been linked to rare cases of serious liver
damage, including deaths, mostly in patients with serious
medical problems. Call your doctor if your skin or eyes
become yellow, your urine turns a darker color, your stools
(bowel movements) are light-colored, or if you vomit or
feel like vomiting or if you have severe skin itching.
In patients with serious conditions such as AIDS or cancer,
rare cases of severe rashes with skin peeling have been
reported. Tell your doctor right away if you get a rash
while taking DIFLUCAN.
DIFLUCAN may cause other less common side effects besides
those listed here. If you develop any side effects that
concern you, call your doctor. For a list of all side
effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What To Do For An Overdose
In case of an accidental overdose, call your doctor right
away or go to the nearest emergency room.
How To Store DIFLUCAN
Keep DIFLUCAN and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General Advice About Prescription Medicines
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that
are mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not
use DIFLUCAN for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
Do not give DIFLUCAN to other people, even if they have
the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
This leaflet summarizes the most important information
about DIFLUCAN. If you would like more information, talk
with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor
for information about DIFLUCAN that is written for health
professionals.
You can also visit the DIFLUCAN Internet site at www.diflucan.com.
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