Fluconazole

What is Fluconazole?

Fluconazole belongs to a group of medicines called antifungals, and is used to treat infections caused by fungi. The most common cause of fungal infections is a yeast called Candida. Fluconazole is used to treat Candida infections, such as thrush and balanitis. The active ingredient in the capsule is fluconazole. 

Fluconazole 150 mg capsules, given as a single dose, are available over the counter after a brief consultation with a clinician to ensure they are safe and suitable for you. Higher doses or prolonged courses of fluconazole require a prescription.

What is Fluconazole Used For?

Fluconazole is an antifungal treatment used to treat various fungal and yeast infections, including thrush (candidiasis), ringworm, jock itch and athlete's foot. Fluconazole 150 mg capsules are suitable for both men and women and are commonly prescribed to treat vaginal thrush and candidal balanitis.

Vaginal thrush is a common yeast infection that is caused by an overgrowth of Candida fungi, which are naturally found in the vagina. It can be caused by hormonal changes, antibiotic use, and sex, but it is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Candidal balanitis is also caused by Candida and causes inflammation, redness, and soreness of the head of the penis. It can be triggered by trapped moisture, urine, and sweat under the foreskin, underlying health conditions such as high blood sugar, and sex, but like vaginal thrush, it is not an STI.

How Does Fluconazole Work?

Fluconazole prevents fungal cells from producing ergosterol, a substance they require for survival. Without ergosterol, the fungal cell membrane weakens and breaks apart, resulting in cell death. This clears the fungal infection from your body and relieves uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing symptoms.

There are 4 ways that fluconazole treats fungal infections:

1. Stops enzyme production: Fluconazole blocks the enzyme that makes ergosterol.
2. Stops ergosterol synthesis: By blocking the enzyme that produces ergosterol, a structural component of fungal cell walls similar to cholesterol in human cells, fluconazole prevents its synthesis.
3. Weakens fungal cell membranes: Without ergosterol, the cell membrane becomes highly permeable, causing cellular contents to leak out.
4. Stops fungal growth: These actions stop the fungal cells from growing, multiplying, and reproducing, which kills the fungus or yeast causing the infection.

How Long Does Fluconazole Take to Work?

The time it takes for fluconazole to work will depend on the location and severity of the condition. For oral thrush, vaginal thrush, and penile thrush (balanitis), your symptoms should improve within a week of starting fluconazole, although some people notice improvement within 1 to 3 days. Other conditions, such as ringworm or fungal nail infections, may take longer to resolve.

How Effective is Fluconazole for Thrush?

Fluconazole is a highly effective treatment for thrush. An early study showed that a single 150 mg fluconazole dose resulted in up to 76% of Candida species being completely eradicated from the vagina. In another, more recent study, fluconazole 150 mg resulted in 84.7% of people being clinically cured of vaginal thrush, meaning they had no inflammation or discharge, compared with 83% who received 200 mg of intravaginal clotrimazole daily for 6 days. 

For candidal balanitis, the infection was cured in 92% of people given a single oral dose of fluconazole 150 mg compared to 91% of people given topical clotrimazole.

How to Take Fluconazole 150 mg

To treat genital thrush, you will usually be given a single oral dose of fluconazole 150 mg. Other fungal infections may require a longer treatment course. You should swallow the fluconazole 150mg capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew it. You can take the capsule with or without a meal.  

You must take care when removing the fluconazole capsule from the blister packet to avoid breaking it, which can reduce its effectiveness. To remove the capsule, you should push the capsule pocket at the edge rather than in the middle. 

What If I Take Too Many Fluconazole Capsules?

If you take more fluconazole than prescribed, contact your doctor immediately or go straight to your nearest accident and emergency department. Take the packaging and any remaining medicine with you so doctors know how much was taken. Some of the symptoms of taking too much fluconazole include hearing, seeing, feeling, and thinking things are not real (hallucinations and paranoid behaviour). 

Fluconazole Side Effects and Cautions

Before taking fluconazole, it is important that you understand its potential side effects and cautions, so you know what signs to look out for and when to see a doctor.

Side Effects of Fluconazole

As with all medications, fluconazole can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them. For most people, fluconazole side effects are mild and temporary and will go away on their own once it leaves your body or your body gets used to the active ingredient.

You can find a full list of fluconazole side effects in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine, or view it online. If you get any side effects, including any that aren’t listed, you should tell your doctor or report them to the Yellow Card Scheme. This will help provide more information about the safety of this medicine. 

Serious Fluconazole Side Effects

Sometimes fluconazole can cause serious side effects that may need urgent or emergency medical attention. You must stop taking fluconazole and get medical help straight away if you notice any of the following symptoms of drug hypersensitivity syndrome or DRESS syndrome:

• Widespread rash
• High temperature
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Signs of adrenal problems, such as muscle weakness, tiredness, abdominal pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite

In some people, fluconazole can cause an allergic reaction, but this is rare. If you get any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately or, in the case of an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E:

• Sudden wheezing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness
• Swelling of your eyelids, face, or lips
• Itching all over the body, reddening of the skin, or itchy red spots
• Skin rash
• Severe skin reactions, such as a rash that causes blistering

Fluconazole can affect your liver. If you get any of the following signs, stop taking fluconazole and tell your doctor immediately:

• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

If you experience any fluconazole side effects that worry you or that you cannot manage, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Fluconazole 150 mg Warnings and Interactions

Fluconazole is not suitable for everyone. You should consult your doctor before taking fluconazole to ensure it is safe for you.

Do not take Fluconazole if you are:

• Allergic to fluconazole or any other ingredients listed in this medication
• Allergic to any other antifungal medicines

Precautions for Taking Fluconazole

Before taking fluconazole, tell the clinician if you:

• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have heart disease, including heart rhythm problems
• Have abnormal potassium, calcium, or magnesium levels in your blood
• Develop severe skin reactions
• Develop signs of adrenal insufficiency, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, or stomach pain
• Have ever developed a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blistering and/or mouth sores after taking fluconazole
• Or your partner have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection
• Are unsure about what’s causing your symptoms
• Experience symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, burning/pain while urinating, penile odour, abnormal penile discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, genital sores or blisters

Fluconazole Interactions

Fluconazole may not be suitable if you are already taking certain medicines, as it can interact with them and make them less effective or potentially unsafe. You must let the clinician know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications before taking fluconazole.

Do not take fluconazole if you are taking:

• Astemizole or terfenadine, which are antihistamines taken to manage allergies
• Cisapride for stomach upsets
• Pimozide for treating mental illness
• Quinidine for treating heart arrhythmia
• Erythromycin, an antibiotic for treating infections

You should tell the clinician if you are taking any of the following medications because your dose may need adjusting or you may need to be monitored more closely:

• Rifampicin or rifabutin
• Medicines to thin your blood, such as warfarin or indanedione
• Carbamazepine or phenytoin 
• Statins  
• Medicines for diabetes, such as chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, gliclazide, or tolbutamide
• Some blood pressure or heart medications, such as losartan, amlodipine, or felodipine 
• Strong painkillers or sedatives, for example, fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and methadone 
• Immunosuppressants, such as tacrolimus, sirolimus, or ciclosporin  
• Theophylline  

Please note that this is not a complete list of medications that may interact with Fluconazole. More information can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet. 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

You should not take fluconazole if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant unless a doctor has told you to. If you become pregnant while taking fluconazole or within 1 week of the most recent dose, contact your doctor for advice. It is recommended that you wait a week after a single dose of fluconazole before becoming pregnant.

You can continue breastfeeding after taking a single dose of 150 mg fluconazole, but you must not breastfeed if you are taking a repeated dose of fluconazole. If you are unsure what to do, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice. 

Where to Buy Fluconazole in the UK

Fluconazole is available in the UK both over the counter and with a prescription, depending on the dose and duration of your course. You can buy fluconazole online from Prescription Doctor for vaginal thrush and candidal balanitis, a form of male thrush.  

Can You Buy Fluconazole Over the Counter?

Yes, you can buy a single oral dose of fluconazole 150 mg over-the-counter after a brief consultation with a pharmacist for thrush in men and women. Fluconazole 150 mg capsules for this purpose may be available under the brand names Azocan and Canesten Thrush Oral Capsules.

If you are aged 60 or over, Fluconazole treatment will typically be classified as a Prescription Only Medication (POM), meaning you will not be able to buy it over the counter. Instead, the medication will first need to be authorised by a licensed prescriber. 

Can You Buy Fluconazole Online?

Yes, you can buy fluconazole online for vaginal thrush and candidal balanitis from reputable online pharmacies, such as Prescription Doctor. You will need to answer a few questions about your health and medical history so that our clinician can determine if fluconazole is safe and suitable for you. 

If it is and your order is approved before 3 pm Monday to Friday, we will dispatch your medication for next-day delivery. You will receive your medication in plain, discreet packaging as standard to maintain your confidentiality.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Fluconazole Capsules