PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET (UK)

What is in your medicine?

Diflucan capsules come in two different strengths:

Each light turquoise blue and white capsule contains 50mg fluconazole. They have "FLU 50" and "PFIZER" printed on them.

Each purple and white capsule contains 200mg fluconazole. They have "FLU 200" and "PFIZER" printed on them.

Colouring agents in capsule shell:

50mg capsules: patent blue V (E131), titanium dioxide (E171).

200mg capsules: erythrosine (E127), indigotine (E132), titanium dioxide (E171)

Other inactive ingredients (all capsule strengths): Colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, sodium lauryl sulphate, gelatin (capsule shell only).

Diflucan 50mg and 200mg come in packs of 7 capsules.

What type of medicine is Diflucan?

Diflucan is one of a group of medicines called anti-fungal agents.

What is your medicine for?

Diflucan capsules are used to treat infections caused by fungi/yeasts. Diflucan may also be used to stop you from getting a fungal infection. The most common cause of fungal infections is a yeast called Candida.

You may be given this medicine by your doctor to treat fungal infections such as:

• thrush of the mouth or throat (mucosal infections). Thrush is commonly caused by Candida
• skin infections - e.g. athlete's foot, ringworm
• internal (systemic) fungal infections caused by Candida - e.g. infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract or other body organs
• internal (systemic) fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus - e.g. cryptococcal meningitis and infections of other sites such as the lungs and skin
• genital Candida infections, e.g. vaginal thrush or candidal balanitis (inflammation of the end of the penis and/or foreskin).

You may also be given Diflucan to:

• stop you from getting a fungal infection (if your immune system is not working properly).
• stop an infection caused by Cryptococcus from coming back (in AIDS patients).

Before you take Diflucan capsules.

 

If the answer is YES to any of these questions - tell your doctor immediately:

• Are you pregnant or trying to become pregnant?
• Are you breast-feeding?
• Do you have liver or kidney problems?
• Have you ever had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients of Diflucan, or other medicines which you may have taken to treat a fungal infection? This may have been itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing.
• Are you taking either terfenadine (an antihistamine) or cisapride (used for stomach upsets)?
• Do you suffer from heart disease, including heart rhythm problems?
• Has your doctor told you that you have abnormal levels of potassium, calcium or magnesium in your blood?

Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• warfarin or coumarin drugs (to prevent blood clots)
• oral sulphonylureas such as chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, glipizide or tolbutamide (to control diabetes)
• diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, used to treat fluid retention and high blood pressure
• benzodiazepines (used as tranquillizers)
• phenytoin (used to control epilepsy)
• rifampicin or rifabutin (antibiotics)
• cyclosporin or tacrolimus (used to affect the immune response)
• theophylline (used to control asthma)
• astemizole (an antihistamine)
• zidovudine, also known as AZT (used in HIV-infected patients).

How to take your medicine

Diflucan capsules should only be taken by mouth.

The usual doses of this medicine for different infections are below. Check with your doctor if you are not sure why you have been prescribed Diflucan capsules.

Does this medicine cause undesirable effects?

Diflucan may cause some undesirable effects. The most common undesirable effects are:

• nausea
• stomach discomfort
• diarrhoea
• wind
• rash
• headache

These undesirable effects are usually mild. If they cause you discomfort or are long lasting, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

The following have occurred rarely in patients taking Diflucan, but they may not all be due to the drug.

• itching
• vomiting
• seizure
• abnormalities in blood/liver function/urine and other biochemical tests
• liver toxicity
• severe skin reactions
• hair loss
• dizziness
• swelling of the face
• altered sense of taste
• change in heart rate or rhythm

A few people develop allergic reactions to medicines. If you develop any of the following undesirable effects, tell your doctor immediately:

• sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing or tightness in chest
• swelling of eyelids, face or lips
• skin lumps or red itchy spots
• itch all over body

AIDS patients should be warned that they are likely to be prone to skin reactions to many drugs, including Diflucan.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you become unwell or have any other discomfort you do not understand.

Look after your medicine

This treatment is for YOU. Do not give it to others. It may not suit them.

Do not take this medicine after the date stamped on the pack.

Further information

This leaflet does not contain all the information about this medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The information in this leaflet is about Diflucan capsules only.