Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Fluconazole vs. Metronidazole

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Fluconazole (Diflucan) and metronidazole (Flagyl) are both medications used to treat infections, but they belong to different classes and treat different types of infections. Fluconazole is an azole antifungal used to treat fungal infections like vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush, while metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic used for bacterial and parasitic infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. Fluconazole is available in oral and injectable forms and is typically taken once daily, whereas metronidazole is taken orally, often multiple times a day. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Common side effects of fluconazole include headache and nausea, while metronidazole can cause a metallic taste and nausea. You should avoid alcohol with both medications, but metronidazole has a more severe interaction with alcohol, causing symptoms like nausea and headaches. Fluconazole can interact with many medications, including warfarin and atorvastatin, while metronidazole can interact with disulfiram and lithium.

  • Fluconazole (Diflucan)
    Metronidazole (Flagyl)
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan)
    Metronidazole (Flagyl)

  • Summary of Fluconazole vs. Metronidazole

    Summary for Antifungal
    Prescription only

    Fluconazole (Diflucan) is an azole antifungal. It's used to treat different types of Candida infections, such as vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush. It can also treat a serious brain infection called cryptococcal meningitis. Oral fluconazole (Diflucan) is available as a tablet and suspension. It's taken by mouth as a one-time dose for vaginal yeast infections; it's typically taken once daily for other types of infections. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is generally well-tolerated, but some people can experience side effects like headache, nausea, and stomach pain. Fluconazole (Diflucan) can raise the risk of liver problems, so you're recommend to avoiding drinking alcohol while taking this medication.

    Summary for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an oral antibiotic for adults and children. It's used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including bacterial vaginosis (a type of vaginal bacteria infection) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection, or STI). Metronidazole (Flagyl) is taken by mouth, typically 3 times a day. Some common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking and for 3 days after stopping metronidazole (Flagyl) because this combination can cause a serious reaction. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is available as a lower-cost generic.

  • Indications of Fluconazole vs. Metronidazole

    Indications for
    •Treatment of infections caused by Candida:
    •Vaginal yeast infections
    •Mouth, throat, or esophagus infections, including oral thrush
    •Bloodstream infections
    •Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    •Peritonitis (infection of the lining of the stomach)
    •Pneumonia
    •Prevention of Candida fungal infections for people having a bone marrow transplant
    •Cryptococcus meningitis
    Indications for

    Treatment of certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including:

    •Trichomoniasis
    •Amebiasis (parasitic gut infection)
    •Serious bacterial infections, such as:
    •Abdominal infection (including peritonitis)
    •Skin infections
    •Gynecological infections (including endometritis)
    •Bloodstream infection (septicemia)
    •Bone and joint infections
    •Central nervous system infections (meningitis)
    •Lung infections (lower respiratory tract infections)
    •Heart infection (endocarditis)

  • Pros and Cons of Fluconazole vs. Metronidazole

    Pros and Const for Antifungal
    Pros
    •Taken once daily for most infections
    •Considered acceptable to take while breastfeeding
    •Oral liquid comes flavored for better taste
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Interacts with many medications
    •Not recommended during pregnancy due to the potential risk of harm to babies
    •Rare risk of liver problems
    Pros and Const for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Can be used to treat different types of bacterial infection
    •Immediate-release formulations can be taken with or without food
    Cons
    •Immediate-release formulations needs to be taken multiple times a day for most infections
    •Serious interaction with alcohol
    •Can cause metallic taste in mouth
    •Not recommended while breastfeeding

  • Common Side Effects of Fluconazole vs. Metronidazole

    Common Side Effects for

    Single dose for vaginal yeast infection:

    •Headache (13%)
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Stomach pain (6%)
    •Diarrhea (3%)

    Multiple doses for other infections:

    •Nausea (4%)
    •Headache (2%)
    •Skin rash (2%)
    •Vomiting (2%)
    •Stomach pain (2%)
    •Diarrhea (2%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Please note: These are common side effects reported by people who took extended-release metronidazole (Flagyl)

    •Headache (18%)
    •Inflammation of the vagina (15%)
    •Nausea (10%)
    •Metallic taste (9%)
    •Flu-like symptoms (6%)

  • Warnings of Fluconazole vs. Metronidazole

    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver damage
    •Allergic reaction
    •Severe skin reaction
    •Harm to unborn babies
    Common Side Effects for
    •Possible risk of cancer
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Brain and nerve problems
    •Liver and kidney problems
    •Risk of fungal infection
    •Risk of drug resistance
    •Lower white blood cell counts
    •Interaction with other medications

  • Prices with our coupons for Fluconazole vs. Metronidazole

    Learn more about Fluconazole
    Learn more about Metronidazole

Compare other Yeast Infection and Skin Infection drugs

Fluconazole vs MetronidazoleMetronidazole vs FluconazoleAmoxicillin vs PenicillinAugmentin vs AmoxicillinAugmentin vs CiproAzelaic Acid vs MetronidazoleAzelaic Acid vs TretinoinAzithromycin vs AmoxicillinAzithromycin vs CiproBactrim vs AmoxicillinBactrim vs CiproCefdinir vs AmoxicillinCefdinir vs CeftriaxoneCefdinir vs CiproCephalexin vs AmoxicillinCephalexin vs CeftriaxoneCipro vs IsoniazidClindamycin vs MetronidazoleDoxycycline Hyclate vs AmoxicillinErythromycin vs AmoxicillinIvermectin vs MetronidazoleMetronidazole vs AmoxicillinMetronidazole vs CeftriaxoneMetronidazole vs CiproMetronidazole vs DoxycyclineMetronidazole vs MiconazoleMetronidazole vs MupirocinNitrofurantoin vs AmoxicillinSuprax vs CeftriaxoneTinidazole vs Metronidazole
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.