Yeast Infection Pills: Is Diflucan a Good Medication for Treating Vaginal Yeast Infections?

A yeast infection is a fungal infection that can cause vaginal itching and burning, as well as a thick, white, and clumpy discharge. While Candida albicans is a fungus normally found in the vaginal flora, an overgrowth of it can lead to vaginal yeast infections. Yeast infection pills, such as Diflucan (fluconazole), are effective in treating vaginal yeast infections and restoring the balance between natural bacteria and yeast.

Prescription yeast infection pills are a popular treatment choice for yeast infections over many over-the-counter (OTC) options. Let’s take a closer look at how Diflucan works, its potential side effects, and if it’s a good treatment option for your yeast infection.

Benefits of yeast infection pills

While there are several options available to help treat yeast infections — including pills and OTC topical creams — many people prefer yeast infection pills. This is because they tend to be less messy and easier to use than creams. 

There are several other upsides of yeast infection pills, such as: 

• They are extremely effective in eliminating fungal infections.

• A one-dose pill is usually all that’s necessary to clear an infection. 

• Resistance to Diflucan (fluconazole) is not very common.

• The generic fluconazole as a single dose is typically less expensive than OTC yeast infection medications. 

What is Diflucan (fluconazole)?

Diflucan is a common yeast infection pill that treats fungal infections in men and women. It’s not an antibiotic, but rather an antifungal that kills yeasts. Diflucan is prescription only, you can’t buy it over the counter. 

In addition to treating vaginal yeast infections, Diflucan can be used for fungal infections of the mouth, lungs, and blood. It’s also prescribed to prevent fungal infections in individuals who have lower immunity, including people living with cancer or HIV. 

Diflucan works by damaging the cell wall of the fungus that causes the infection. This makes it more difficult for fungi like Candida albicans to multiply further.

Diflucan dosage for vaginal yeast infection

The most common Diflucan dosage for a vaginal yeast infection is a single 150 mg oral pill. One dose of Diflucan is usually all it takes to cure a yeast infection. This is because the medication stays in vaginal secretions for at least 72 hours. Most people begin to feel their symptoms improve in a day, as it takes about 24 hours for Diflucan to work for a vaginal yeast infection.

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In certain people who have symptoms that persist after one dose of Diflucan, another dose can be taken every 3 days for a total of three doses. Sometimes, it may be necessary to continue taking it once a week for several months or years in some cases. If you have a vaginal yeast infection and don’t notice any improvement in your symptoms despite treatment, let your prescriber know. They can help you figure out if your Diflucan dosage needs to be increased.

If Diflucan isn’t working well for you or if you tend to get yeast infections frequently,  Brexafemme (ibrexafungerp) is a yeast infection pill that can be an alternate option. The dosage includes 4 pills taken over 24 hours. Brexafemme is not yet available as a lower-cost generic. This is why Diflucan is still the preferred yeast infection pill.

Diflucan side effects

As with all medications, Diflucan can also cause potential side effects. Luckily, the side effects of Diflucan are usually minor. The most common ones are:

• Headache

• Nausea

• Abdominal discomfort

It’s rare to have an allergic reaction to Diflucan. But it’s important to get medical attention right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Fever

• Rash

• Swelling

• Hives

• Blisters of the skin

Yeast infection pills vs. OTC creams: Which is better?

Diflucan and the OTC creams both work more than 90% of the time. So, ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on which yeast infection medication you’re more comfortable using. Other considerations that might impact your decision include:

• Whether the medication requires a prescription

• How quickly you need relief

• Cost

Let’s take a look at how yeast infection pills compare to topical creams:

Buying yeast infection pills online

It’s possible to get yeast infections pills online. Many telehealth services (like GoodRx Care) can prescribe treatment for a yeast infection without a trip to a clinic. A virtual appointment may be an option for you if it’s hard for you to find a clinic or make it to an in-person appointment.

How to save on Diflucan

Diflucan is available as a lower-cost generic (fluconazole), and most insurance plans cover it.

With a free GoodRx coupon, two fluconazole 150 mg tablets can cost under $10 at certain pharmacies. And a 14-day supply of fluconazole 100 mg tablets could cost less than $15. A bottle of fluconazole 40 mg/mL oral liquid can cost less than $30 at certain pharmacies with a GoodRx coupon.

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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