Fluconazole

What is fluconazole?

Fluconazole is a type of medicine called an antifungal. It is used to treat or prevent infections caused by certain types of yeast or fungus.

You may hear fluconazole called by its brand name, Diflucan. Fluconazole comes in tablet, suspension, and injectable forms.

Before giving fluconazole to your child

Tell your child's doctor if your child has had any unusual or allergic reaction to fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, or any other medicines in the past.

Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• liver or kidney problems

How should you give your child fluconazole?

Give your child this medicine by mouth:

• For as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems well. Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving fluconazole for any reason.
• At the same times every day, exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
• With or without food; give it with food if it makes your child's stomach upset.
• If giving the suspension, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose.

Fluconazole can also be given by a needle into your child's vein. It will be given by a nurse in the hospital clinic or the nursing unit.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of fluconazole?

If your child misses a dose of this medicine:

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Give only one dose at a time.

What are the possible side effects of fluconazole?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take fluconazole. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• upset stomach
• vomiting (throwing up)
• diarrhea (loose stools)
• constipation
• mild headache
• dizziness
• drowsiness

Check with your child's doctor or nurse as soon as possible, during office hours, if your child has any of these side effects:

• dark-coloured urine
• loss of appetite

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be signs of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• severe stomach pain, especially on the right side under the ribs
• yellow eyes or skin
• skin rash
• blistering of the skin or the inside of the mouth

It is important to consult with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines. These include prescription, over the counter, herbal, homeopathic, or natural remedies, supplements, or treatments. Inform your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child takes any other medicines and that your child is taking fluconazole.

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with fluconazole or in some cases the dose of fluconazole or other medicines may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medicines, including:

• anti-coagulant medicines (such as warfarin)
• immunosuppressant medicines (such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus)
• anti-seizure medicines (such as phenytoin)
• antibiotics (such as rifampin)
• diabetes medications (such as glyburide)
• stomach medicines (such as cisapride)

What other important information should you know about fluconazole?

• If your child's symptoms do not get better in a few weeks or if they get worse, check with your child's doctor.
• Keep a list of all medicines your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Keep fluconazole at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Do not store it in the bathroom or kitchen. If using fluconazole suspension, when opened and prepared, contents should be used within 14 days.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep fluconazole out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much fluconazole, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.