Fluconazole – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, September 05, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Fluconazole, which belongs to a class of antifungals referred to as triazoles, is a drug used for the treatment of fungal infections, such as yeast infections of the vagina, mouth, throat, esophagus, abdomen, lungs, blood, and other organs. It is also used for the treatment of meningitis, an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spine, caused by fungus. In addition, it can be used for the prevention of yeast infections in patients who are prone to become infected because they are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy before a bone marrow transplant.

In some cases, fluconazole is used to treat fungal infections that start in the lungs and can spread through the body. Sometimes, it is also used for fungal infections of the eye, prostate, skin, and nails. Additionally, it can sometimes be used to prevent fungal infections in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or cancer, or have had a transplant operation.

The drug works by impeding the growth of fungi that cause infections. It is orally taken orally in tablet or liquid form, typically once a day with or without food. However, it must not be taken by the following:

People who are allergic to fluconazole or any part of the drug
People taking other drugs, such as Astemizole, cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine, terfenadine, or voriconazole
Pregnant or may be pregnant

Fluconazole is available as both a generic and a brand-name drug known as Diflucan.

Known side effects of fluconazole

The more common side effects of fluconazole include the following:

Changes in the way food tastes
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea or upset stomach
Severe rash in people with lowered immunity
Stomach pain
Vomiting

If these side effects are mild, they tend to go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. However, if they get worse or do not go away, seek medical help. Furthermore, fluconazole can cause serious side effects that may be life-threatening and may require immediate medical attention. Fluconazole’s serious side effects and their symptoms include the following:

An irregular heart rhythm condition called torsades de pointes, with symptoms such as:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Fast, irregular heart rate
- Feeling like your heart is skipping a beat (palpitations)
- Seizures
Liver failure with symptoms such as:
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stools
- Severe itching of the skin
- Vomiting or nausea
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
Severe rash in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or cancer, which can cause death. Symptoms can include:
- Peeling of the skin
- Severe rash

Body systems that may be harmed by fluconazole

The body systems harmed by fluconazole include the nervous, gastrointestinal, hepatic, dermatologic, metabolic, cardiovascular, and hematologic systems.