Fluconazole 50mg

Fluconazole general information

What is Fluconazole used for?

Fluconazole capsules 50mg are used to treat a variety of superficial and systemic fungal infections in various parts of the body.  These include: candidiasis (thrush) of the mucus membranes such as acute or recurrent vaginal candidiasis (yeast infections of the vagina due to Candida), oropharyngeal and oesophageal candidiasis (yeast infections of the mouth and oesophagus), also of the skin.  Fluconazole capsules 50mg are also effective for treatment of systemic candidiasis, like candidaemia, when the yeast gets into the blood stream and spreads throughout the body; also disseminated candidiasis, where the yeast spreads to organs and tissues, including the peritoneum (membrane that lines the abdominal cavity), the endocardium (membrane that lines the chambers of the heart), the lungs and the urinary tracts.  These forms of candidiasis can be more serious if the immune system is compromised as in AIDS, transplant or cancer patients.  Fluconazole capsules 50mg are also used to treat skin infections caused by the dermatophyte fungus tinea (also called ringworm) in various parts of the body including the body (tinea corporis), foot (tinea pedis) and groin (tinea cruris or jock itch); also infections of the skin with pityriasis versicolor, caused by the yeast-like fungus malassezia and characterised by rash and patches of flaky skin on the trunk, neck or arms.  Fluconazole capsules 50mg are also used to treat cryptococcosis, including cryptococcal meningitis as well as infections of the lung (pulmonary) and skin (cutaneous) caused by the soil fungus fungus cryptococcus, that can be serious if the immune system is compromised such as in patients with HIV. 

How does Fluconazole work?

Fluconazole capsules 50mg contain fluconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal drug belonging to the triazole group of antifungals.  Fluconazole in Fluconazole capsules 50mg is a potent and specific inhibitor of fungal enzymes necessary for the synthesis of ergosterol, an important component of fungal cell membrane that is not found in animal cells.  Fluconazole in Fluconazole capsules 50mg weakens the fungal cell membrane, causing the cell contents to leak out which kills the fungus, preventing the infection from spreading and relieving symptoms caused by the infection, including, itching and inflammation.  

What does Fluconazole contain?

Fluconazole capsules 50mg contain the active ingredient fluconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal drug that is used to treat a variety of fungal infections.  They also contain lactose, maize starch, sodium lauryl sulphate, colloidal hydrated silica, magnesium stearate, gelatin and titanium dioxide (E171) and patent blue V (E131).  The ingredients present in the black printing ink used for coding the capsules include – shellac, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ammonia solution, potassium hydroxide and black iron oxide (E172).

Treating fungal infections with Fluconazole

Fluconazole capsules 50mg contain fluconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal used to treat a variety of superficial and systemic fungal infections in various parts of the body.  These include: Candida infections (candidiasis or thrush) of the mucus membranes, such as vagina, mouth and oesophagus; candida of the skin; systemic candidiasis, like candidaemia, when the yeast gets into the blood stream and spreads throughout the body; also disseminated candidiasis, where the yeast spreads to organs and tissues, including, pericardium, endocardium, lungs and urinary tracts.  These forms of candidiasis can be more serious if the immune system is compromised as in AIDS, transplant or cancer patients.  Fluconazole capsules 50mg are also used to treat skin infections caused by the dermatophyte fungus tinea (also called ringworm) in various parts of the body; also infections of the skin with pityriasis versicolor, caused by the yeast-like fungus malassezia.  Fluconazole capsules 50mg are also used to treat cryptococcosis, including cryptococcal meningitis as well as infections of the skin by the soil fungus fungus cryptococcus, that can be serious if the immune system is compromised such as in patients with HIV.  Fluconazole in Fluconazole capsules 50mg is a potent and specific inhibitor of fungal enzymes necessary for the synthesis of ergosterol, an important component of fungal cell membrane that is not found in animal cells.  Fluconazole in Fluconazole capsules 50mg weakens the fungal cell membrane, causing the cell contents to leak out which kills the fungus, preventing the infection from spreading and relieving symptoms caused by the infection, including, itching and inflammation.

What are the side effects of Fluconazole?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Fluconazole capsules 50mg include headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia (indigestion), skin rash.

When should Fluconazole not be used?

You should not use Fluconazole capsules 50mg if you:

• are allergic to fluconazole or any other azole drug or any ingredients in Fluconazole
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney or liver disease or a heart condition
• are taking medicines that interact with Fluconazole including the antiviral rifampicin, rifabutin or zidovudine; terfenadine or astemizole for allergy, cisapride for reflux, the anticonvulsant phenytoin, the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, oral antidiabetics like glipizide, tolbutamide or glibenclamide, theophylline for asthma, the immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporine, some benzodiazepines such as midazolam, the NSAID celecoxib

What medications interact with Fluconazole?

Several medications interact with Fluconazole capsules 50mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Fluconazole or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause increased side effects with Fluconazole: cisapride for reflux can cause heart problems
• Drugs that affect Fluconazole: he antiviral rifampicin, rifabutin or zidovudine; the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide
• Drugs that are affected by Fluconazole: the anticonvulsant phenytoin, oral antidiabetics like glipizide, tolbutamide or glibenclamide; theophylline for asthma, immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporine, some benzodiazepines such as midazolam, the NSAID celecoxib

How should Fluconazole be taken?

You should take your Fluconazole capsules 50mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food usually once a day for several days or months, depending on what you are being treated for, the severity of your infection and your doctor’s recommendations.  You should continue to take your Fluconazole capsules 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely. 

How long should you take Fluconazole?

You should continue to take your Fluconazole capsules 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely. 

Missed dose of Fluconazole

If you miss a dose of Fluconazole capsules 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Fluconazole be stored?

You should store your Fluconazole capsules 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.