Fluconazole is an antifungal drug that can treat many types of yeast infections. It is also used to prevent or treat a fungal infection called Candida in people with certain conditions that lower their immunity, like cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, stomach pain and headache. To reduce nausea and diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids and avoid fatty or fibrous foods.
What is it used for?
Fluconazole (Diflucan) is an antifungal medicine that can treat a wide range of infections. It can treat vaginal yeast infections, also known as thrush, as well as Candida infection in the mouth and throat. It can also treat meningitis caused by the fungus Cryptococcus.
Flukonazole works by inhibiting an enzyme in fungi called lanosterol 14-a-demethylase. This prevents the fungi from making the protective membrane around their cells. It can be taken by mouth, with or without food. This medication interacts with certain medicines, including warfarin, phenytoin, ergotamines, pimozide, and tetracyclines.
This drug may cause liver failure, which can be fatal. Your doctor will check your liver function with blood tests while you’re taking this medication. It can also cause a severe, itchy skin reaction. You should tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of this reaction, like difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat.
This drug should not be used by pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding. It can harm the fetus. You should use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you’re taking this medication. Fluconazole can also affect blood levels of other drugs, so you should avoid drinking alcohol while you’re taking this medication. Using this medication for long periods of time can increase your risk of fungal infection. This is especially true for people with diabetes or conditions that can cause a loss of blood flow to the legs and feet.
How do I take it?
You may take fluconazole with or without food, though it is usually taken with a meal. It is important to keep taking it for the full prescribed amount, even if you feel better, to make sure the infection does not return.
It is also a good idea to take it at the same time each day, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. This will help to maintain a constant level in your body, making it more effective. You should also avoid eating fatty foods or those that can cause stomach pain, such as beans. If you are suffering from diarrhea, you can try drinking more water and eating smaller meals to help relieve it, or using an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication such as Imodium A-D (loperamide).
Fluconazole is available by prescription only and comes in the form of tablets, a suspension that you take by mouth, or an injection that is given by a doctor. It is sold under the brand name Diflucan. The generic version is available from some pharmacies and is usually cheaper than the brand-name drug.
Before starting on this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or any other medicines. Also tell them if you are taking any other medications, including those obtained without a prescription. This includes aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antacids, vitamins, minerals, or herbal supplements. This medicine should not be used during pregnancy, as it can harm an unborn baby. It is known to pass into breast milk, so breastfeeding mothers should speak to their doctors before taking it.
Can I have sex while taking it?
While many over-the-counter and prescription antifungal vaginal creams and suppositories require three to seven days of use before symptoms clear, fluconazole is available as a single-dose tablet that provides complete treatment for yeast infections. While taking this medication, you should avoid sexual intercourse until your infection is completely cleared. Some oral antifungal medications may cause liver problems, so if you experience jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), dark urine, flulike symptoms and/or abdominal pain, notify your doctor immediately.
When can I have sex after taking it?
Generally, people should wait about seven days after taking fluconazole before having sex. This will give the medication enough time to clear out of the system and prevent the spread of infection to your partner. However, the exact timeline may vary from person to person. If your partner is pregnant, you may want to wait longer than this.
Most over-the-counter and prescription antifungal vaginal creams and suppositories require three to seven days of use before they are fully effective. It is important to communicate with your partner and let them know that you will be taking this medication before any sexual activity.
If you do decide to have sex before the seven-day wait is over, it is important to use a condom and practice good hygiene. Also, it is important to take any other medications you are taking into account. This is because some medications can interact with fluconazole, resulting in adverse side effects.
Fluconazole is a safe and well-tolerated medication, but it can cause a variety of side effects. Some of these include diarrhea, headache, and nausea. If these side effects become severe, contact a doctor immediately. Fluconazole is also known to interact with several other medications, so it’s important to make sure that you are aware of any potential interactions before starting a new medicine.
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