Key takeaways:
Diflucan (fluconazole) treats and prevents certain fungal infections, such as vaginal yeast infections and meningitis, in adults and children.
Typical Diflucan dosages for adults range from 50 mg to 400 mg per day. Dosages for children are typically based on body weight.
For a vaginal yeast infection, the typical Diflucan dosage is a single 150 mg dose. Other fungal infections may require multiple doses over several days, weeks, or longer. Your prescriber will determine your Diflucan dosage and how long you should take it.
Diflucan is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help make your prescription more affordable.
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Diflucan (fluconazole) is a commonly prescribed antifungal medication. It works by slowing down the growth of certain types of fungi (“yeast”), including Candida and Cryptococcus.
Diflucan is FDA approved to treat and prevent several types of fungal infections in adults and children. This includes vaginal yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and thrush in your mouth or esophagus. It also works well to treat more serious infections, such as peritonitis (swelling of the abdomen) and meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord).
Your Diflucan dosage depends on the type of fungal infection you have, among other factors. Here, we’ll review the typical Diflucan dosages for adults and children.
What’s the typical Diflucan dosage for adults?
The typical Diflucan dosage for adults ranges from 50 mg to 400 mg daily. Your specific dosage will depend on what type of fungal infection you’re trying to prevent or treat.
Diflucan is available in several forms. It comes as a tablet, oral suspension (liquid), and injection. Tablet doses range from 50 mg to 200 mg, and the oral suspension comes in 10 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL strengths. The oral tablet is commonly used, but the oral suspension can be a good option if you have trouble swallowing pills.
Diflucan injection comes in a 2 mg/mL strength. It must be given intravenously (into a vein) by a healthcare professional.
Diflucan dosage for candidiasis treatment in adults
Candida infections (called candidiasis) can pop up in different parts of your body, and this can affect your dosage. Your healthcare professional will determine the best Diflucan dose for your infection and how long you should take it.
The chart below shows the typical Diflucan dosages to treat Candida infections in adults.
| Type of candidiasis | Diflucan dosage in adults | Treatment duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vaginal yeast infections | 150 mg |
|
| Oral thrush | 200 mg on day 1, then 100 mg once daily thereafter | At least 2 weeks |
| Esophageal thrush | 200 mg on day 1, then 100 mg once daily thereafter Maximum 400 mg/day may be used based on how well the infection improves. |
Continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms resolve. It's also recommended that people take it for at least 3 weeks total, including both while symptoms are happening and after they resolve. |
| UTIs | 50 mg-200 mg daily | Variable |
| Peritonitis | 50 mg-200 mg daily | Variable |
| Bodywide infections | Up to 400 mg daily | Variable |
Candidiasis prevention in adults
Diflucan can help prevent fungal infections in certain people who are at high risk. It’s FDA approved for preventing Candida infections in people receiving a bone marrow transplant. The typical Diflucan dosage for preventing candidiasis in adults is 400 mg once daily.
Chemotherapy or radiation are typically given as part of a bone marrow transplant. These treatments can weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infections. If your immune system is expected to become very weak, you’ll typically start Diflucan several days beforehand. You’ll continue taking it for at least 7 days after your immune system has recovered. Your prescriber will monitor your immune system and let you know when to start and stop Diflucan.
Meningitis in adults
If you have fungal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus, you’ll typically take 400 mg of Diflucan on the first day. After that, you’ll take 200 mg once daily. Your prescriber may increase your dose to 400 mg once daily based on how well the infection improves.
Fungal meningitis is a serious infection that requires a longer course of treatment. You’ll typically continue taking Diflucan for 10 to 12 weeks after tests show that the infection is clear.
For people with AIDS who’ve had meningitis, Diflucan can also help keep the infection from coming back. The typical Diflucan dosage to prevent another infection is 200 mg by mouth once daily. Your healthcare professional will let you know how long you need to continue taking Diflucan for meningitis.
What’s the typical Diflucan dosage for children?
Diflucan dosages for children are based on body weight. The recommended dosage depends on the type of fungal infection being treated.
Diflucan is FDA approved to treat certain fungal infections in children, with some uses starting from birth. Approved uses in children include:
Oral thrush in children ages 6 months and older
Esophageal thrush in children ages 6 months and older
Bodywide Candida infections in children starting from birth
Cryptococcal meningitis in children starting from birth
Important to note: Children receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may need a different Diflucan dosage. ECMO is a form of life support used when the heart or lungs aren’t working well enough on their own. ECMO can affect how medications such as fluconazole move through the body. So dosing may need to be adjusted and closely monitored by the healthcare team.
Diflucan dosage for candidiasis treatment in children
The recommended Diflucan dosages to treat Candida infections in children are shown in the chart below.
Type of candidiasis | Diflucan dosage in children | Treatment duration |
|---|---|---|
Oral thrush | 6 mg/kg on day 1, then 3 mg/kg once daily | At least 2 weeks |
Esophageal thrush | 6 mg/kg on day 1, then 3 mg/kg once daily. May be increased up to 12 mg/kg once daily based on how well the infection improves. | Continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms resolve. It's also recommended that people take it for at least 3 weeks total, including both while symptoms are happening and after they resolve |
Bodywide infections | • Ages 3 months and older: 25 mg/kg on day 1, up to a maximum of 800 mg. Then 12 mg/kg once daily, up to a maximum of 400 mg per day. • Birth to 3 months, with a gestational age* of 30 weeks or more: 25 mg/kg on day 1, then 12 mg/kg once daily. • Birth to 3 months, with a gestational age of less than 30 weeks: 25 mg/kg on day 1, then 9 mg/kg once daily. | Continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms resolve. It's also recommended that people take it for at least 3 weeks total, including both while symptoms are happening and after they resolve |
*Gestational age is how many weeks a baby was in the womb before birth.
Meningitis treatment in children
Children with Cryptococcal meningitis typically receive 12 mg per kilogram body weight on day 1, followed by 6 mg per kilogram body weight once daily. Based on how well the infection improves, their dose may be increased to 12 mg per kilogram body weight once daily.
As with adults, children taking Diflucan for meningitis should keep taking the medication for 10 to 12 weeks after their infection has cleared.
For children with AIDS who’ve had meningitis, Diflucan can also help prevent the infection from coming back. The typical Diflucan dosage for meningitis prevention in children is 6 mg per kilogram of body weight once daily. Their healthcare professional will determine how long treatment should continue.
Are there any Diflucan dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Yes, you may need a different Diflucan dosage if you have kidney problems or a higher body weight.
Diflucan dosage for people with kidney problems
If you have kidney problems, your healthcare professional may prescribe a lower dosage of Diflucan. That’s because your kidneys remove most Diflucan from your body. So the medication can build up if they aren’t working as well as expected. This buildup can raise your risk of side effects from Diflucan.
Your healthcare professional can use a blood test to estimate your creatinine clearance, which measures how well your kidneys are working.
For fungal infections that require multiple Diflucan doses, you’ll typically receive the usual first dose. After that, your daily dosage may be adjusted based on your kidney function. The recommended Diflucan dosages for people living with reduced kidney function are shown in the chart below.
Creatinine clearance | Recommended Diflucan dosage adjustment |
|---|---|
Greater than 50 mL/min | No adjustment needed |
50 mL/min or less (not receiving dialysis) | 50% of the usual daily dose |
50 mL/min or less (receiving dialysis) | 100% of the usual dose after each dialysis session. A reduced dose may be needed on days without dialysis. The healthcare team will advise you on how to time Diflucan doses with dialysis sessions. |
Keep in mind that if you’re prescribed a single dose of Diflucan for a vaginal yeast infection, no dose adjustment is necessary.
Your prescriber will determine the best Diflucan dosage for you based on your kidney function, the infection being treated, and whether you receive dialysis.
Diflucan dosage for people with higher body weight
People who are considered obese may need a higher Diflucan dosage for certain fungal infections. One small study found that weight-based dosing may help people with body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2 get enough medication to treat a Candida infection.
According to this study, a starting dosage of 12 mg per kilogram body weight on day 1 may work better than the standard dosing. This is followed by a daily maintenance dosage of 6 mg to 12 mg per kilogram body weight daily. How long you’ll take it depends on the type of infection you have.
But there isn’t one recommended Diflucan dosage adjustment for everyone with a larger body weight. Your healthcare professional will consider your body weight, the type and severity of your infection, and other factors when determining your dosage.
Diflucan dosage during pregnancy
In general, Diflucan is avoided during pregnancy. Taking high doses of Diflucan — 400 mg to 800 mg per day — especially during the first trimester has been linked to birth defects in infants.
A single low dose of Diflucan, such as 150 mg, may be considered during pregnancy if your prescriber decides the benefits outweigh the possible risks. But for a vaginal yeast infection, a topical antifungal cream, such as Monistat 7 (miconazole 2% cream), is preferred.
If you’re pregnant or think you could be pregnant, talk with your healthcare team before taking Diflucan. They can help you choose the safest treatment based on the type of infection and how serious it is.
Who shouldn’t take Diflucan?
You shouldn’t take Diflucan if you’re allergic to it or any of its inactive ingredients. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to another azole antifungal medication, let your healthcare professional know before taking Diflucan.
You also shouldn’t take Diflucan with certain medications because the combination can cause serious side effects such as heart rhythm problems. Examples include amiodarone (Pacerone), atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq), and citalopram (Celexa).
Be sure to give your prescriber or pharmacist an updated list of all the medications and supplements you take. They can check for Diflucan interactions and make sure it’s safe for you to take.
What happens if you miss a dose of Diflucan?
If you forget to take your dose of Diflucan, take the missed dose as soon as possible. But if you’re prescribed multiple doses and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Don’t take more Diflucan than prescribed to make up for a missed dose. This can increase your chances of side effects.
What should you do if you take too much Diflucan?
Diflucan is generally well-tolerated. But if you take too much, Diflucan side effects are more likely to happen. Taking too much Diflucan can lead to side effects such as hallucinations and paranoid behavior.
To treat a Diflucan overdose, your healthcare team will likely recommend supportive care to manage your symptoms. In some cases, a healthcare professional may recommend a gastric lavage (a procedure to empty the stomach) or dialysis to remove fluconazole from your body.
If you think you’ve taken too much Diflucan, contact your prescriber or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If any side effects feel life-threatening or severe, go to the ER.
How to save on Diflucan
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Frequently asked questions
For a vaginal yeast infection, Diflucan is typically taken as a single 150 mg dose. But for a severe infection, your healthcare professional may recommend 1 dose of 150 mg, taken every 72 hours (3 days) for a total of 2 or 3 doses.
People who have frequent yeast infections may need a longer treatment plan, such as once weekly Diflucan for 6 months. Your healthcare professional will determine how often you should take Diflucan based on your symptoms and how often your infections occur.
Diflucan starts working soon after you take it, but how long it takes to feel better depends on the type and severity of your fungal infection. Some infections may start improving within a few days, while more serious infections can take several weeks or longer to treat. For example, vaginal yeast infection symptoms may improve within 24 hours after you take Diflucan.
Even if you start feeling better, keep taking Diflucan for as long as your healthcare professional prescribes. This helps make sure your infection is fully treated.
For a vaginal yeast infection, Diflucan is typically taken as a single 150 mg dose. But for a severe infection, your healthcare professional may recommend 1 dose of 150 mg, taken every 72 hours (3 days) for a total of 2 or 3 doses.
People who have frequent yeast infections may need a longer treatment plan, such as once weekly Diflucan for 6 months. Your healthcare professional will determine how often you should take Diflucan based on your symptoms and how often your infections occur.
Diflucan starts working soon after you take it, but how long it takes to feel better depends on the type and severity of your fungal infection. Some infections may start improving within a few days, while more serious infections can take several weeks or longer to treat. For example, vaginal yeast infection symptoms may improve within 24 hours after you take Diflucan.
Even if you start feeling better, keep taking Diflucan for as long as your healthcare professional prescribes. This helps make sure your infection is fully treated.
The bottom line
Diflucan (fluconazole) is a common medication used to treat or prevent fungal infections such as vaginal yeast infections, thrush, and meningitis. Some infections may only need 1 dose, whereas others may require multiple doses for several days or longer.
For adults, the typical Diflucan dosage ranges from 50 mg to 400 mg per day. Diflucan dosages for children are typically based on body weight. People with kidney problems or a larger body weight may also need a dosage adjustment. Your healthcare professional will determine the right Diflucan dosage for you.
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References
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