Health Centres - Diflucan 150 capsule (fluconazole)
How does it work?
Diflucan 150 capsule contains the active ingredient fluconazole, which is an antifungal medicine used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts. (NB. Fluconazole 150mg capsules are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Diflucan 150 capsule is a single dose treatment for vaginal thrush. It can also be used to treat men who are suffering from thrush on the penis.
Vaginal thrush is the common term for infections of the vagina with Candida species of fungi, in particular Candida albicans. This infection causes inflammation and discharge from the vagina. In men it causes soreness and redness of the penis, tightness of the foreskin, or a white, odourless discharge from the penis.
Fluconazole kills the Candida fungi causing the thrush infection by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol causes holes to appear in the fungal cell membrane.
The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As fluconazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.
Diflucan 150 capsule should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, either with or without food.
What is it used for?
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Inflammation of the vagina caused by infection with Candida albicans (also known as vaginal thrush).
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Inflammation of the penis and/or foreskin caused by infection with Candida albicans (also known as thrush).
Warning!
- If your sexual partner also has symptoms of thrush it is important that they are treated at the same time as you to prevent you being re-infected. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- You should consult your doctor if your symptoms have not got better within a week of taking Diflucan 150 capsule.
- This medicine is not recommended for children under 16 years of age unless treatment is essential and there are no suitable alternatives.
Use with caution in
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease.
Not to be used in
- Allergy to azole antifungal medicines, eg itraconazole, ketoconazole
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Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Diflucan 150 capsules contain lactose).
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by pregnant women. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
- Nausea
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be taken by women who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Abdominal discomfort
- Diarrhoea
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)
- Headache
- Rash (you should not use this medicine again if you get a rash after taking it).
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