Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I being treated with Diflucan?
Diflucan contains the active ingredient fluconazole. Diflucan capsules (for adults)
and oral suspension (for children) are used to treat certain fungal and yeast infections.
For more information, see Section
1. Why am I being treated with Diflucan? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before treatment with Diflucan?
Do not start treatment if you are allergic to any medicine containing fluconazole,
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this CMI, or any other similar medicines
such as miconazole, ketoconazole or clotrimazole.
Tell the doctor if you have had any allergic reaction to any antifungal, or any foods,
preservatives or dyes or any other medicines, if you are pregnant, plan to become
pregnant or are breastfeeding.
You must not be given Diflucan if you are taking certain medicines. For more information,
see Section
2. What should I know before treatment with Diflucan? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How is Diflucan given?
Diflucan is available as capsules (swallowed whole with water) or oral suspension
(taken by mouth after accurately measuring the dose of the medicine with a medicine
measure). Your doctor will decide how much Diflucan will be given to you each day
and for how long. It will depend on your condition and other factors. More instructions
can be found in Section
4. How is Diflucan given? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know during treatment with Diflucan?
|
Things you should do
|
Tell the doctor if you have any medical conditions, are on any medicines, or if you
are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
For more information on "Things you should do" can be found in Section 6 in the full
CMI
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not start treatment if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine containing
fluconazole, any of the ingredients listed at the end of this CMI, or any other similar
medicines such as miconazole, ketoconazole or clotrimazole.
Do not stop taking Diflucan or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not use Diflucan to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor tells
you to.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Keep your medicine in its original pack until it is time to take it.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills.
Store Diflucan below 30°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
DIFLUCAN is generally well tolerated. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, diarrhoea, headache, skin rash or redness and easy bruising of the skin, seizures,
signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat
or mouth ulcers, or change in liver function.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
fluconazole (flu-con-a-zole)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Diflucan. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about Diflucan
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I being treated with Diflucan?
Diflucan capsules (for adults) and oral suspension (for children) are used to treat
certain fungal and yeast infections.
Diflucan belongs to a group of medicines called azole antibiotics.
It works by preventing the growth of the fungal and yeast organisms causing your infection.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Diflucan has been prescribed for
you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Diflucan is available only with a doctor's prescription.
This medicine is not addictive.
2. What should I know before treatment with Diflucan?
Warnings
Do not use start treatment with Diflucan if you:
are allergic to fluconazole, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet,
or any medicines related to fluconazole such as miconazole, ketoconazole or clotrimazole
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty
breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; skin rash,
itching or hives.
You must not be given Diflucan if you are taking any of the following medicines:
terfenadine or astemizole (a medicine used to treat allergy)
cisapride (a medicine used to treat stomach problems)
erythromycin (a medicine used to treat infections)
pimozide (a medicine used to treat mental illness)
quinidine (a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat).
Check with your doctor if you:
have allergies to any foods, preservatives or dyes or any other medicines
are taking medicines for any other condition
have other medical conditions
have liver problems.
have heart problems
have kidney problems
Your doctor may need to monitor the function of the liver using blood tests. Be sure
to follow the doctor's advice if regular checks on your/ your child's liver are recommended.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
DIFLUCAN use should be avoided during pregnancy except on doctor’s advice for severe
or life-threatening infections. Effective contraception should be used in women of
childbearing potential and should continue throughout the treatment period and for
approximately 1 week after the final dose. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks
and benefits involved.
Talk to your doctor about the need for an additional method of contraception while
being given Diflucan.
Diflucan may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
DIFLUCAN is not recommended for use whilst breastfeeding however your doctor can discuss
with you the risks and benefits involved.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins
or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket
or health food shop.
Some medicines should not be taken with Diflucan. These are listed under Section 2. What should I know before treatment with Diflucan.
Some medicines and Diflucan may interfere with each other. These medicines and some
others may be affected by Diflucan or may affect how well it works. You may need different
amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines. These include:
some medicines for diabetes such as glipizide, tolbutamide or glibenclamide
some antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs such as rifampicin, rifabutin, zidovudine,
amphotericin B, azithromycin, saquinavir or voriconazole
some drugs used for heart problems, such as amiodarone or verapamil
some drugs used in problems with the immune system, such as ciclosporin, tacrolimus,
sirolimus or tofacitinib
some medicines used to lower cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin or fluvastatin
abrocitinib, used to treat atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema)
cyclophosphamide, vincristine, vinblastine, olaparib or ibrutinib, used to treat certain
types of cancers
tolvaptan, used to treat low levels of sodium in your blood or for kidney problems
halofantrine, used to treat malaria
warfarin, used to stop blood clots
phenytoin, used to treat epilepsy
prednisone, used to treat inflammation or suppress the immune system
theophylline, used to treat asthma
some benzodiazepines such as midazolam
lemborexant, used to treat insomnia or sleeping difficulties
ivacaftor, used to manage cystic fibrosis
lurasidone, used to manage schizophrenia
hydrochlorothiazide, used for treating fluid problems
the contraceptive pill (birth control pill)
carbamazepine, used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder
NSAIDS such as naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib
Vitamin A
opioid pain killers such as alfentanil, fentanyl and methadone
losartan, used for treating high blood pressure
antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Diflucan.
4. How is Diflucan given?
How much to take
Adults
The dose will depend on your infection and how you respond to Diflucan. It usually
ranges from 50 mg to 400 mg once daily.
Children:
The dose for a child will depend on body weight and usually ranges from 3 mg to 12
mg per kilogram of body weight once daily. In very young children (below 4 weeks of
age), Diflucan is usually given every second or third day.
However, depending on how serious the infection is, and how you react to the medicine,
your doctor may ask you to take a different dose.
When to take it
Try to take your medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time
each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take
it.
It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.
How to take it
Capsules:
Swallow the capsules whole with water.
Oral Suspension:
Shake the bottle well and accurately measure the dose with a medicine measure. Only
take it by mouth.
How long to take it?
Continue taking Diflucan until you finish the pack or bottle or until your doctor
recommends.
The length of time you take Diflucan will depend on the sort of infection you have.
Patients with a weakened immune system or those with difficult infections may need
long-term treatment to prevent the infection from returning.
Do not stop taking your Diflucan because you are feeling better.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the infection may
not clear completely or your symptoms may return.
If you forget to take it
Diflucan should be used as prescribed. If you miss your dose at the usual time, please
see the following instructions.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would
normally.
If too much Diflucan is given
If you think that you have used too much Diflucan, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know during treatment with Diflucan?
Things you should do
If you are a woman of child-bearing age, you should avoid becoming pregnant while
taking Diflucan. Talk to your doctor about the need for an additional method of contraception
while being given Diflucan.
If you do become pregnant while taking Diflucan, tell your doctor immediately.
If you suffer from HIV or have a weakened immune system and develop a rash while taking
Diflucan, tell your doctor immediately.
If this rash worsens, Diflucan may need to be stopped.
Be sure to follow your doctor's advice if regular checks on your liver are recommended.
In rare cases, Diflucan may affect the liver and may need to be stopped.
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become
worse, tell your doctor.
Remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you are using Diflucan.
Things you should not do
Do not start treatment if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine containing
fluconazole, any of the ingredients listed at the end of this CMI
Do not stop taking Diflucan or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of the organisms
causing your infection may not be killed. These organisms may continue to grow and
multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or may return.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not use Diflucan to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor tells
you to.
Driving or using machines
Be careful when driving vehicles or operating machinery as occasional dizziness or
seizures may occur.
Drinking alcohol
No information available
Looking after your medicine
Keep your medicine in its original pack until it is time to take it.
If you take it out of the pack it may not keep well.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Store Diflucan below 30°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you/your child experience,
you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Diflucan contains
|
Active ingredient
|
Fluconazole
|
|
Other ingredients
|
Capsules (50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg capsules):
gelatin, lactose monohydrate, maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium
stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, (50 and 100 mg capsules only),
patent blue V (50 and 100 mg capsules only). The 100 mg and 200 mg capsules also contain
erythrosine; the 200 mg capsules also contain indigo carmine.
Oral Suspension:
sucrose, colloidal anhydrous silica, xanthan gum, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric
acid, sodium benzoate, titanium dioxide, natural orange flavour.
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Diflucan looks like
Diflucan capsules come in the following strengths:
Diflucan 50 mg - light turquoise blue/white, marked FLU-50 and Pfizer
Diflucan 100 mg - standard blue/white and marked FLU-100 and Pfizer
Diflucan 200 mg - purple/white and marked FLU-200 and Pfizer.
Diflucan oral suspension is a white/off-white, orange flavoured suspension in bottles of 35 mL.
Australian Registration Number:
Diflucan 50 mg; AUST R 48399
Diflucan 100 mg; AUST R 48401
Diflucan 200 mg; AUST R 48397
Diflucan oral suspension 50 mg per 5 mL; AUST R 59089
Who distributes Diflucan
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229
This leaflet was prepared in September 2024
® = Registered Trademark