fluconazole

No, fluconazole (Diflucan) is an antifungal, meaning it treats infections caused by fungus. Antibiotics, however, are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

How long it takes for fluconazole (Diflucan) to work depends on different factors, such as the type of infection you're taking it to treat and how serious it is. For example, if you're taking fluconazole (Diflucan) for a vaginal yeast infection, your symptoms should improve within 1-3 days. But if you're taking fluconazole (Diflucan) for oral thrush, your might need to continue treatment for several days before you notice any improvement. Continue taking fluconazole (Diflucan) for the amount of time your prescriber recommended, even if you start to feel better. Stopping treatment too early can cause your infection to come back or be harder to treat.

The typical dose for treating a vaginal yeast infection is fluconazole (Diflucan) 150 mg by mouth once as a single dose. If your symptoms don't go away within 3 days after the dose, your HCP will instruct you to take a dose of fluconazole (Diflucan) every 3 days for a total of 3 doses. But if you have vaginal yeast infections more than 3 times within a year, your HCP might ask you to take fluconazole (Diflucan) daily for a longer period of time to control the infection. Ask your healthcare team if you've more questions about how long you should take this medication.

No, fluconazole (Diflucan) doesn't treat bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is a bacterial infection, so it's treated with antibiotics like metronidazole (Flagyl) or clindamycin (Clindesse) vaginal cream. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is an antifungal, so it doesn't work for bacterial infections, just fungal infections. Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection and BV are similar (e.g., itching, burning, irritation), so make sure to check with your gynecologist if you have these symptoms. They'll make sure you receive the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

You should avoid drinking alcohol until you've finished your course of fluconazole (Diflucan). Drinking alcohol can weaken your immune system and make it harder to recover from an infection. Additionally, drinking alcohol while taking fluconazole (Diflucan) raises your risk for stomach-related side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) as well as the risk for liver problems. If avoiding alcohol isn't possible for you, talk to your prescriber about what's a reasonably safe amount of alcohol to drink while taking fluconazole (Diflucan).

Typically, HCPs will avoid prescribing fluconazole (Diflucan) for people who are pregnant unless they have a serious infection that can't be treated with a safer option. Research shows taking higher doses of fluconazole (Diflucan) regularly during pregnancy can cause harm to unborn babies. While the same risk isn't linked to the single 150 mg dose of fluconazole (Diflucan) for vaginal yeast infections, it's also not recommended during pregnancy because of potential harm. Talk with your healthcare team if you have questions about fluconazole (Diflucan) and pregnancy.

How long the side effects of fluconazole (Diflucan) last depends on what symptoms you're experiencing and whether they can be managed with lifestyle changes or other medications. For example, one of the more common side effects of fluconazole (Diflucan) is headache, which typically goes away on its own. But in the meantime, you can ease headache by drinking enough water or taking an over-the-counter pain medication that's safe for you. Another example is that taking fluconazole (Diflucan) can raise the risk for liver problems. This side effect is rare and typically don't lead to symptoms, but your HCP might ask you to avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking fluconazole (Diflucan) to minimize the risk of serious liver damage. Talk to your healthcare team if you're concerned with certain side effects of fluconazole (Diflucan).