Diflucan IV (Fluconazole)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Diflucan IV Used For?
Diflucan IV is a prescription medication used to treat certain fungal and yeast infections. It belongs to a group of medicines called azole antibiotics.
Primary Uses
Diflucan IV is used to treat certain fungal and yeast infections throughout the body.
How It Works
It works by preventing the growth of the fungal and yeast organisms causing your infection.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive.
How to Take Diflucan IV
Diflucan IV is given as a slow injection into the vein by a doctor or nurse in a hospital setting. You cannot administer this medication yourself.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide how much Diflucan IV you will be given each day and for how long. The amount depends on your condition, body weight, and kidney function. After a while, the injection may be stopped and you may begin to receive Diflucan capsules or oral suspension by mouth.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since Diflucan IV is given by healthcare professionals in a hospital setting, missed doses are unlikely to occur.
Important: Because Diflucan IV is given to you by a health professional, overdose is unlikely to arise.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea or feeling sick
- vomiting
- headache
- stomach pain
- indigestion
- diarrhea
- acne
- soreness at the injection site
- blurred or abnormal vision
- hot flushes
- constipation
- low blood potassium which can result in fatigue, muscle cramps and abnormal heart rhythms
- changes in liver function
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue
- difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath
- yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- sudden or severe itching, skin rash, hives
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- reddish or purplish blotches under the skin
- flaking of the skin
- dark urine and light-coloured bowel movements
- fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- fainting, seizures or fits
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- increased sweating
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before starting treatment with Diflucan IV.
Who Should Not Take Diflucan IV
Do not use Diflucan IV if you are allergic to fluconazole, any of the ingredients, or any medicines related to fluconazole such as miconazole, ketoconazole or clotrimazole. You must not be given Diflucan IV if you are taking terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, or quinidine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any foods, preservatives, dyes or other medicines, liver problems, heart problems, kidney problems, or other medical conditions. Your doctor may need to monitor your liver function using blood tests.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Diflucan IV use should be avoided during pregnancy except on doctor’s advice for severe or life-threatening infections. Effective contraception should be used in women of childbearing potential and should continue throughout treatment and for approximately 1 week after the final dose. Diflucan IV may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. Diflucan IV is not recommended for use while breastfeeding.
Allergic Reactions: Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; skin rash, itching or hives.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Diflucan IV and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Birth Control: Diflucan IV may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about the need for an additional method of contraception.
- diabetes medicines such as glipizide, tolbutamide or glibenclamide
- antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs such as rifampicin, rifabutin, zidovudine, amphotericin B, azithromycin, saquinavir or voriconazole
- heart medicines such as amiodarone or verapamil
- immune system drugs such as ciclosporin, everolimus, tacrolimus, sirolimus or tofacitinib
- cholesterol medicines such as atorvastatin, simvastatin or fluvastatin
- abrocitinib for atopic dermatitis
- cancer medicines like cyclophosphamide, vincristine, vinblastine, olaparib or ibrutinib
- tolvaptan for low sodium levels or kidney problems
- halofantrine for malaria
- warfarin for blood clots
- phenytoin for epilepsy
- prednisone for inflammation
- theophylline for asthma
- benzodiazepines such as midazolam
- lemborexant for insomnia
- ivacaftor for cystic fibrosis
- lurasidone for schizophrenia
- hydrochlorothiazide for fluid problems
- contraceptive pill (birth control pill)
- carbamazepine for epilepsy and bipolar disorder
- NSAIDs such as naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib
- Vitamin A
- opioid pain killers such as alfentanil, fentanyl and methadone
- losartan for high blood pressure
- antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving vehicles or operating machinery as occasional dizziness or seizures may occur.
Alcohol
No specific information available about alcohol interactions.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful when driving vehicles or operating machinery as occasional dizziness or seizures may occur.
Storage
Diflucan IV should be stored in the pharmacy or on the hospital ward. It should be kept in a dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. This medicine should only be used for one patient on one occasion only.
Overdose Information
Because Diflucan IV is given to you by a health professional, overdose is unlikely to arise. However, if you are concerned that you may have been given too much Diflucan IV, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
The length of your treatment will depend on your body weight, kidney function, and how quickly the infection is brought under control. Your doctor will determine the appropriate duration.
No, this medicine is not addictive.
Some medicines may interfere with Diflucan IV. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking, as you may need different amounts or different medicines.
If you suffer from HIV or have a weakened immune system and develop a rash while being given Diflucan IV, tell your doctor immediately. If this rash worsens, Diflucan IV may need to be stopped.
Diflucan IV use should be avoided during pregnancy except on doctor’s advice for severe or life-threatening infections. Effective contraception should be used and continue for approximately 1 week after the final dose.
Your doctor may need to monitor the function of your liver using blood tests. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice if regular checks on your liver are recommended.
Yes, after a while, the injection may be stopped and you may begin to receive Diflucan capsules or oral suspension by mouth.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.