Fluconazole

Type of Medication: Antifungal

Indications: Oral or vaginal candidiasis. Line related sepsis

Side Effects: nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, flatulence, headache, rash (discontinue treatment or monitor closely if infection invasive or systemic); less frequently dyspepsia, vomiting, taste disturbance, hepatic disorders, angioedema, anaphylaxis, dizziness, seizures, alopecia, pruritus, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe cutaneous reactions more likely in AIDS patients), hyperlipidaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hypokalaemia reported

Route of administration: Adult (Intravenous)

Dose:400mg iv on day 1 then 200mg iv daily for 5 days

Administration: Infuse a 2mg/ml solution at a rate of 5-10ml/minute

Route of administration: Adult (Oral)

Dose:Vaginal candidiasis: 150mg stat. Oral candidiasis: 50mg daily for 7 to 14 days.

Route of administration: Paediatric (Intravenous)

Dose:6-12 mg/kg od

Administration:

Route of administration: Paediatric (Oral)

Dose:Oral candidiasis 3 mg/kg od. Loading dose 6 mg/kg may be used on first day to achieve steady state

Examples of some Drug Interactions

Interacting drug: Cisapride

arrythmias. AVOID.

Interacting drug: Cyclosporin

may increase levels. Monitor levels

Interacting drug: Midazolam

increased levels woth fluconazole

Interacting drug: Phenytoin

increased levels with phenytoin

Interacting drug: Rifampicin

decreased levels of fluconazole

Interacting drug: Sulphonylureas

prolonged serum half-life

Interacting drug: Tacrolimus

increases tacrolimus levels. Monitor

Interacting drug: Terfenadine

prolonged QT interval. AVOID.

Interacting drug: Theophylline

increases theophylline levels. Monitor for toxicity.

Interacting drug: Warfarin

increased INR