Diflucan injection is used to treat serious fungal or yeast infections such as vaginal candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush), esophageal candidiasis (candida esophagitis), other candida infections or fungal meningitis.
This medication works by killing the fungus or yeast and preventing its growth. Diflucan injection is also used to prevent candidiasis in patients receiving bone marrow transplants or who receive cancer or radiation treatment.
This medication is only to be given under the direct supervision of a doctor. This product is available in the following forms:
Solution
Injectable
2 What to Know Before Using
Before using Diflucan, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make together.
For this medication, there are many things that need to be considered:
Allergies: Inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other medications. It is also important to inform your doctor of any non-medicine allergies such as foods, dyes, preservatives or animals.
Pediatric: Up-to-date Pediatric Appropriate studies have not indicated any problems that would limit the use of this medication in children ages 6 months to 13 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established for children younger than 6 months of age.
Geriatric: Up-to-date studies have not shown any problems specific to the elderly that would limit the use of this medication in the elderly population. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment in dose.
Pregnancy: This medication is listed as Pregnancy Category D. This means that studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the unborn child. However, the benefits of this medication in a life-threatening situation or serious disease may outweigh the potential risk.
Breastfeeding: Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions: Certain medications should not be used together. However, in certain cases, two medications may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change your dose or take other precautions.
When taking this medication, it is important that you inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications listed below. The following interactions were selected on the basis of potential significance and are not all-inclusive. Using this medication with any of the following is not recommended.
Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, or change some of the other medications you take:
Using this medication with any of the following medications may increase your risk of side effects. However, using both medications may be the best treatment for you.
If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medications:
Atevirdine
Celecoxib
Etravirine
Felodipine
Fosphenytoin
Losartan
Midazolam
Nicardipine
Omeprazole
Parecoxib
Phenytoin
Prednisone
Ramelteon
Rifampin
Rifapentine
Rivaroxaban
Rosuvastatin
Tipranavir
Tofacitinib
Tretinoin
Trimetrexate
Valdecoxib
Zidovudine
Other Interactions: Certain medications should not be used while eating, or while eating certain foods in the case of negative interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medications may also cause negative interactions. Talk with your doctor about the use of your medication with food, alcohol or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems: Pre-existing medical problems may affect the use of this medication.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Electrolyte problems (mineral imbalance)
Heart disease - Use with caution. These conditions may increase your chance of having heart rhythm problems and make the effects of this medicine worse.
Heart rhythm problems (i.e. QT prolongation)
Liver disease - Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Kidney disease - Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
3 Proper Usage
Proper usage of Diflucan requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. This medication is given through a needle placed in one of your veins (intravenously).
Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medication until your condition improves and then will switch you to an oral medication that works the same way. Talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you may have.
4 Precautions to Take
Before using Diflucan, there are some precautions you must take. It is very important that your doctor checks in with you often while you are receiving this medication to make sure that it is working properly.
Do not take other prescription or over-the-counter medications without asking your doctor. Do not use astemizole, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine or terfenadine while using this medication due to the risk of unwanted side effects.
Using this medication while pregnant can harm your unborn child. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
This medication very rarely causes serious liver problems. Inform your doctor immediately if you have abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness, clay-coloured stool, dark urine, decreased appetite, fever, headache, itching, nausea and vomiting, skin rash, swelling of the feet or lower legs, unusual fatigue or weakness or yellow eyes or skin (jaundice).
This medication may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency medical help. Inform your doctor immediately if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, difficulty breathing or chest pain after receiving this medication.
Serious skin reactions may occur during treatment with this medication. Inform your doctor immediately if you have a skin rash, itching or any other skin changes while using this medication.
Inform your doctor immediately if you have changed to your heart rhythm. You may feel dizzy or faint or you may have a fast, pounding or uneven heartbeat (tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias). Be sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm issue such as QT prolongation.
This medication may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy or less alert than normal. Make sure you know how you react to this medication before driving, using machinery or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
5 Potential Side Effects
Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Diflucan to avoid unwanted potential side effects. A medication may produce unwanted effects along with the intended effects. Although not all of these side-effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side-effects:
Get immediate emergency medical help if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Fearfulness, suspiciousness, or other mental changes
Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
Some side effects that may occur do not normally need medical attention. These may leave as your body becomes accustomed to treatment. Ask your doctor about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Talk to your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have questions:
Less common:
Acid or sour stomach
Belching
Change in taste or bad, unusual or unpleasant after-taste
Some patients may experience other side effects that are not listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any other side effects. Ask your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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