Diflucan: An Antifungal Medication (Fluconazole)

Diflucan is one of the primary antifungal medications, which can be used to deter a wide variety of infections. It can also help to prevent them during periods of the weakened immune system or generally increased risk of fungal infections. The main active component is Fluconazole, which is a safe and effective compound.

The chemical was discovered in 1981 by Pfizer. They remain one of the main suppliers of Fluconazole-derived drugs in the world. There are plenty of Diflucan alternatives, as well as generic Fluconazole varieties. It’s currently one of the most common medications overall among antifungal drugs.

Its use is particularly widespread against various types of candidiasis – a yeast infection that appears especially on the tongue. That’s arguably one of the most common types of fungal diseases, which justifies the place of Diflucan as one of the most important medications.

As fungal infections are not caused by bacteria, Diflucan is also not an antibiotic. It’s a triazole – a type of chemical compound that interacts with the enzymes inside the fungi, stunting their growth. It’s not an immunity-boosting drug. It’s a misconception created by the fact that yeast typically takes root in bodies with the weakened immune system.

It’s usually taken orally in a form of a capsule. You can commonly find capsules of 50mg, 100mg, and 150mg. You can also get it in a hospital, where it’s often administered via injections. Diflucan is typically sold by prescription, although many Fluconazole medications come as over-the-counter drugs. Pfizer doesn’t produce Diflucan in Canada anymore, although you can still buy it in the country.

How Diflucan Works

Diflucan is administered either orally or intravenously. It can address a large variety of fungal infections, but it’s most commonly used against thrushes and candidiasis in particular. The duration of the treatment course can vary depending on the severity and type of infection, but it’s best to take this drug until remission.

It’s a safe and effective medication, primarily because of its precision and specialization. It’s targeting the compounds vital for many fungi. It’s done by directly inhibiting the enzymes within the fungi, whereas similar enzymes within the human body itself are left untouched.

Diflucan is very often used to treat yeast infections, including oral and vaginal candidiasis, urinary tract infections, as well as a wide spectrum of mild or severe fungal infections. It has a wide range of applications, although its effectiveness against certain diseases is reduced compared to specialized drugs.

For instance, the drug isn’t particularly effective against mold-caused infections (and other particularly severe infections), as such should rather be addressed with Posaconazole or similar antifungals. However, they have a tendency to be hazardous for the body, while Diflucan is comparably very mild.

The target is primarily lanosterol, which is used to produce ergosterol. The latter is a major component of fungal cell structure. Eliminating lanosterol means that the fungal population will soon deteriorate and disappear. Such diseases can be tenacious, meaning you need to continue taking Diflucan until the infection is scarce enough to be targeted by the immune system alone.

There are very few adverse side effects, besides the usual liver and kidney side effects. While other drugs can battle a lot more infection types, they can also be more dangerous. It’s a milder solution, although it’s still one of the more effective ones. This balanced drug activity is the reason you might be prescribed Diflucan.

Taking

The dosage, course length, and intervals can vary based on the severity and type of infection. For a regular case of candidiasis, you typically take Diflucan capsules orally for at least 2 weeks. The treatment should continue until there are clear signs of infection retreating. Diflucan interacts well with lots of common drugs.

The drug is typically consumed orally once a day, normally every day. A typical daily dose is 100mg, although you need to take it twice the first time. The doses can rise as high as 400mg per day, based on body mass, medication response, and other such considerations.
The medication is taken regardless of meals, although it is better taken on an empty stomach. Common side effects include nausea and diarrhea, which means eating prior to taking a capsule can lead to nasty complications. Nonetheless, that’s a mild concern. A higher priority is to take the medication roughly during the same time of the day.

Side Effects and Overdose

There is a score of common side effects caused by Diflucan. They are statistically scarce, but the chance is higher for people with conditions in at-risk areas. There are several such areas.

The main adverse effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomachache, headache, dizziness, increased heartbeat, slight heartache, face swelling, and more. Fluconazole medication can also lead to kidney or liver pain, but doctors typically scan for kidney/liver problems and often rule out Diflucan if that’s the case.

You can also overdose on Diflucan. The maximum recommended dose is 400mg a day. Surpassing the limit can lead to hallucinations, paranoia, or arrhythmia. It takes 3-5 days for Fluconazole to fully leave the body, meaning you should seek help in case of a suspected overdose.

There are several drugs that Diflucan is incompatible with, despite its overall safe nature. These include some heart medications, like Warfarin and Amiodarone, as well as antidepressants like Citalopram. Some epilepsy drugs, like Phenytoin, can also be prevented from leaving the body by Diflucan.

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