Fluconazole is a highly efficient fungal infection treatment. Produced and marketed by Teva pharmaceutical company, Fluconazole is a generic version of better known Diflucan and as such, it is based on the same active ingredient, with same success rates, but also the same side effects and possible contraindications.
Fluconazole is available in tablets or capsules, but the exact details of administration will vary among users, depending on the nature of their infection. So, for example, those that struggle with fungal skin infections such as Athlete’s Foot or Ringworm might be advised to take one tablet per day over the course of 6 weeks.
While one tablet daily is a somewhat standard dose for a majority of patients, the exact duration of the treatment will be determined by the doctor after assessing the condition, but also the medical profile of the person affected. Fluconazole is a very versatile treatment and can be prescribed for a number of different fungal infections.
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Fungal infections: A brief overview
There are many different types of fungi that are naturally present on and within the human body. They can even play important roles in ensuring the proper balance of microbes in the organism. However, under certain conditions, when this balance is disturbed, one or several types of fungi can become too prominent, causing and infection. Depending on the exact place of the infections, the symptoms and recommended treatments will vary.
Speaking of fungal infections of the skin, we can mention probably the most common one – Athlete’s Foot which manifests between the toes, leading to rash and flaking and peeling of skin in the affected region.
Another common fungal skin infection is Ringworm which can manifest in a number of different places on the body, including arms, hands, neck and face. Marked by a characteristic rash in the form of a raised ring or oval bump – hence its name – Ringworm can also appear on the upper thighs or in the genital area, when it is called Jock Itch, due to the fact that it is commonly caused by tight clothing and perspiration during exercise.
Are fungal skin infections contagious?
Fungal infections can be transferred from one person to another in numerous different ways, sometimes even through indirect contact, for example, through shared towels of communal areas such as showers. On the other hand, direct contact is undoubtedly the most common mode of transmission. It should be noted that fungal infections can be transmitted from animal to human too, for example, through stroking a pet.
Fungal infections treatment
These conditions are usually treated by antifungal medications which aim to restore the natural balance in the infected region. Fluconazole is one such treatment. If you are looking to buy Fluconazole in the UK, you should keep in mind that it is a prescription-only medicine and can’t be bought over-the-counter. The active ingredient of the same name is what makes Fluconazole that effective in the treatment of numerous and very diverse fungal infections.
More specifically, fluconazole will interfere with the fungus’ ability to synthesise ergosterol – a compound that plays a crucial role in preserving the structural integrity of a fungal cell. Once the production of this compound has been compromised, holes will start appearing in the walls of the fungal cells, causing them to die off.
Can I buy Fluconazole online?
Yes, you can buy Fluconazole online, but in order to do so, you will still have to obtain or provide a valid prescription. If this is your first time buying this medicine, you can choose an online clinic that offers online consultations with a doctor so you can get the prescription and order the medicine all in the same go. Once consultations with a doctor are done and you get the green light, the prescription will be issued and used at that same moment to send the required medicine to the address you provided.
How is Fluconazole used?
When using Fluconazole, you should try to adhere to the directions issued by your prescriber as closely as possible. At the same time, going through the official patient information leaflet will help you get familiar with the instructions and different notes which will help you minimise the risk of side effects, while at the same time optimising the results of the treatment.
Here we will provide you with some of the most general guidelines, simply to help you get the idea of how Fluconazole treatment looks like. More detailed instructions will be provided to you by your prescriber and you can always refer to patient information leaflet for any additional questions.
- Always take exactly as prescribed
- For the treatment of fungal skin infection, the dose will usually be one 50mg tablet per day
- The total duration of the treatment will be determined by your doctor, but in most cases it totals around 6 weeks
- Take the capsule whole, do not chew, cut or suck it
- Never exceed the prescribed amount
- If you miss a dose, don’t double up on the next one to make up – instead take it when you remember, provided that your next does is not due. If it is, just carry on with the treatment as usual
Are there any known Fluconazole side effects?
As is the case with all prescription medicines, Fluconazole too comes with an array of potential side effects. Some of them are rather mild and short-lasting, while others can be rather serious and require immediate medical attention – this can be the case with a severe allergic reaction to the medicine that usually manifests through hives, fever, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue as well as sudden wheezing.
In a limited number of those using Fluconazole liver problems such as jaundice or dark-coloured urine can also manifest, albeit this is very rare.
Naturally, not everyone using the medicine will experience side effects, but it is still important to get familiar with what could go wrong so you can act quickly and without panic if there’s the need. If we take into consideration frequency of occurrence of side effects of Fluconazole, we can list them in the following manner:
Frequency of occurrence | Side effects |
Common (1 in 10 users) | Headache, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, general malaise, increased liver function in blood tests, skin rashes |
Uncommon (1 in 100 users) | Decrease in red blood cells, weakness and shortness of breath, decreased appetite, insomnia, drowsiness, tingling, changes in the sense of taste, indigestion, low blood potassium, increased sweating |
Rare (1 in 1000 users) | Decrease in white blood cells, reduction in platelet levels, changes in cholesterol levels, shaking, irregular heartbeat, hair loss |
Keep in mind that this is just a brief summary of the known side effects. For a comprehensive list, please refer to the official patient information leaflet.
Fluconazole contraindications
There are also some situations when the use of Fluconazole might be contraindicated. This can be the case if you are currently taking some other medicine that might adversely interact with Fluconazole. Some of the medicines that might be the issue include:
- Terfenadine
- Astemizole
- Cisapride
- Pimozide
- Quinidine
Alternatively, the presence of certain medical conditions can also make the use of Fluconazole contraindicated. The conditions you should look out for include:
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- AIDS
- Cardiovascular illnesses
- Imbalance in the salt levels in the blood
It is important to note that this is just the overview of the most common contraindication – for a full list of possible drug interactions and medical conditions that can make Fluconazole use unsuitable, please refer to the official patient information leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.