Diflucan (Fluconazole)

What is Diflucan?

Diflucan (fluconazole) is an oral antifungal prescription medicine widely used to treat infections caused by Candida species. It is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is listed on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. In sexual health, it is most commonly prescribed as a single 150 mg capsule for uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis (vaginal thrush).

Fluconazole’s convenience — a single oral dose rather than a multi-day vaginal treatment — makes it one of the most prescribed antifungal medicines in Europe. It acts systemically, reaching the site of infection through the bloodstream and vaginal secretions.

How does Diflucan work?

Fluconazole belongs to the triazole class of antifungals and works by selectively inhibiting the fungal enzyme lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (also known as CYP51). This enzyme is essential for the conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol, the primary sterol component of the fungal cell membrane.

Without adequate ergosterol:

• Cell membrane integrity is compromised: The fungal membrane becomes permeable and structurally unstable
• Essential cellular functions fail: Transport of nutrients and maintenance of intracellular conditions break down
• Fungal growth halts: At lower concentrations, growth is inhibited (fungistatic); at higher concentrations, cell death occurs (fungicidal)

Fluconazole’s selectivity for fungal CYP51 over human CYP enzymes explains its generally good tolerability, though its effect on human CYP enzymes (particularly CYP2C9 and CYP3A4) at therapeutic doses does give rise to clinically significant drug interactions.

Pharmacokinetic advantages:

• Well absorbed orally (bioavailability >90%)
• Long plasma half-life (~30 hours) allows once-daily or single-dose treatment
• Widely distributed throughout body tissues and fluids, including vaginal secretions
• Primarily renally excreted unchanged

Who is Diflucan for?

Diflucan is indicated for adults with fungal infections caused by susceptible Candida species, including:

• Vaginal candidiasis (thrush): Single 150 mg oral dose for uncomplicated infections
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush): Typically 50–100 mg daily for 7–14 days
• Oesophageal candidiasis: Higher doses under specialist supervision
• Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: Maintenance regimens (e.g., weekly fluconazole) may be prescribed for patients with four or more episodes per year
• Dermatophyte infections / tinea: Selected skin fungal infections under medical guidance

Not appropriate for:

• Patients with known allergy to fluconazole or other azole antifungals
• Pregnant women (especially first trimester)
• Patients with QT prolongation or taking medicines that prolong the QT interval
• Concurrent use of certain interacting medicines without specialist review

Posología

Indicación	Dosis	Duración
Uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis	150 mg	Single dose
Recurrent vaginal candidiasis (maintenance)	150 mg weekly	6 months (specialist guidance)
Oral thrush	50–100 mg once daily	7–14 days
Severe/systemic candidiasis	Higher doses	Specialist management

Diflucan capsules should be swallowed whole with water. They can be taken with or without food. No dose adjustment is required for body weight in most cases, but renal impairment may require dose reduction.

Efectos secundarios

Diflucan is generally well tolerated at the 150 mg single dose used for vaginal candidiasis.

Efectos secundarios frecuentes (afectan a entre 1 y 10 de cada 100 personas)

• Headache
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness

Efectos secundarios poco frecuentes

• Skin rash
• Elevated liver enzymes (particularly with prolonged or high-dose use)
• Taste disturbances
• Flatulence

Efectos secundarios graves (raros)

• Hepatotoxicity: Severe liver reactions including hepatitis and hepatic failure — risk increases with prolonged use and in patients with pre-existing liver disease
• Cardiac arrhythmias: QT prolongation and torsades de pointes — risk is higher when combined with other QT-prolonging medicines
• Serious allergic reactions: Including anaphylaxis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (very rare)
• Adrenal insufficiency: Rare, reported with long-term high-dose use

Diflucan vs alternative antifungal treatments

Tratamiento	Principio activo	Vía	Posología	Notes
Diflucan	Fluconazole	Oral	Single 150 mg dose	Convenient; drug interactions to consider
Canesten Gyno	Clotrimazole	Vaginal pessary	Single dose or 3–6 nights	No significant drug interactions; preferred in pregnancy
Nystan	Nystatin	Vaginal pessary	14 nights	Longer course; for azole-resistant cases
Itraconazole	Itraconazole	Oral	200 mg twice daily for 1 day	Alternative triazole

Diflucan vs Canesten Gyno: Both are effective for uncomplicated vaginal thrush. The choice often comes down to patient preference (oral vs vaginal), drug interactions, and suitability during pregnancy. Clotrimazole (Canesten Gyno) is preferred in pregnancy due to minimal systemic absorption.

How to access Diflucan online in Europe

Diflucan (fluconazole) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in most EU member states. It cannot legally be dispensed without a valid prescription from a licensed medical professional in these jurisdictions.

Prescrivia opera como intermediario tecnológico: no prescribimos medicamentos, no empleamos médicos ni vendemos medicamentos. Nuestra plataforma conecta a los pacientes con médicos independientes registrados en la UE que pueden realizar evaluaciones de salud en línea confidenciales.

El proceso:

1. Complete una evaluación de salud: Describe your symptoms, relevant health history, and any medications you currently take.
2. Revisión médica: Un médico independiente registrado en la UE revisa su evaluación. If fluconazole is clinically appropriate, they may issue a prescription.
3. Dispensación en farmacia: La receta se envía a una farmacia asociada autorizada de la UE para su dispensación y entrega directa.

Importante: Prescrivia no garantiza que se emita una receta. Todas las decisiones de prescripción son tomadas de forma independiente por profesionales médicos cualificados.

Información importante de seguridad

No tome Diflucan si usted:

• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant (particularly first trimester)
• Are allergic to fluconazole or other azole antifungals
• Are taking terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, or erythromycin (serious cardiac interaction risk)

Informe a su médico antes de taking Diflucan si usted:

• Are breastfeeding (fluconazole passes into breast milk)
• Have liver disease
• Have kidney disease (dose adjustment may be needed)
• Have a heart condition or are at risk of QT prolongation
• Are taking warfarin, statins, oral hypoglycaemics, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, or phenytoin
• Are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines

Infecciones recurrentes: Frequent vaginal candidiasis (four or more episodes per year) should prompt investigation by a doctor for underlying causes such as diabetes, immune system conditions, or antibiotic use patterns.

Fuentes

La información médica de esta página se basa en las siguientes fuentes:

• European Medicines Agency (EMA). Diflucan (fluconazole) — Summary of Product Characteristics. Disponible en: ema.europa.eu
• World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 22nd edition, 2021. who.int
• European STI Guidelines Editorial Board. 2018 European guideline on the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Este contenido se revisa periódicamente para reflejar las directrices clínicas actualizadas. Se proporciona únicamente con fines informativos y no constituye asesoramiento médico. Consulte siempre a un profesional sanitario cualificado para obtener asesoramiento relevante para sus circunstancias de salud individuales.