Drug name: Diflucan

Other names used:

• Trican®

Active Ingredients:

• fluconazole

Therapeutic effect of Diflucan Fluconazole, the main constituent of Diflucan, is an anti-fungal agent that is used to treat various fungal infections. Fluconazole acts by inhibiting the fungal cytochrome P450 enzyme 14α-demethylase. By restricting this enzyme fluconazole foils the conversion of a substance called lanosterol to ergosterol. Ergosterol plays a crucial part in the formation of fungal cytoplasmic membrane. Fluconazole by its inhibiting action destabilizes the fungi and eventually causes its death.

Indications: Diflucan is used for the treatment of:

• Fungal infections like Pityriasis versicolor, Tinea cruris, Tinea corporis, Tinea pedis
• Yeast infections like Candidiasis
• Infections caused by Candida like oral thrush, infection of urinary tract, infection of the heart, lungs and blood stream
• Infection caused by Candida albicans like vaginal thrush
• Inflammation of Penis caused by Candida albicans
• Fungal infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
• Treating fungal infection caused due to low immunity
• Infections caused by Cryptococcus fungi

Precautions and Restrictions:

• Diflucan should be avoided at any cost if you are allergic or over sensitive to this drug or similar anti-fungal medicines
• If a woman is pregnant or breast feeding she should discontinue the use of this drug.

Observe caution if you have the following conditions:

• Liver or kidney disorders
• Heart failure or similar cardio vascular disorders
• Low levels of potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the blood

Diflucan side effects: There is always a distant possibility of some kind of adverse effect that is wholly unintended. These side effects are only a distant possibility and there are no prior proven records of such effects being cause by Diflucan. Some of the adverse effects that may occur are:

• Leukopenia
• Hypokalemia
• Various allergic reactions like rashes
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Various liver ailments
• Dizziness, seizures and headache

These are just some of the side effects and this is by no means an exhaustive list of the adverse effects caused by Diflucan. For more information kindly consult your physician, pharmacist or see leaflet presented with Diflucan.

Interactions: Before taking Diflucan it's very important to consult a doctor and apprise him of the treatment or medication you are currently under. Also get a prescription from your doctor before starting any new drug to make sure that the combination of the two drugs is safe. Some of the drugs that react with Diflucan:

• Terfenadine
• Cisapride
• Fluconazole reacts with warfarin and nicoumalone to increase its blooding clotting action
• Medicines used for treatment of tuberculosis like Rifampicin reduces the therapeutic effect of Fluconazole
• Fluconazole may increase the blood levels of the following substances: Zidovudine, Theophylline, Tacrolimus, diabetic medicines like Sulphonylureas, Phenytoin, Ciclosporin, Rifabutin, Repaglinide and Benzodiazepines

Additional Information: Medicinal substances and equipments should not be used without prior approval of a trained physician and don't share these drugs with anybody else. Diflucan is made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use it for other purposes. Medicines like Diflucan in the hands of small children can be hazardous, so keep medicinal drugs out of the reach of children.