Diflucan (fluconazole) is an azole antifungal that targets yeast and certain fungi by disrupting a key building block of the fungal cell membrane. Specifically, it inhibits the fungal cytochrome P450 enzyme 14-α-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis. Without ergosterol, the cell membrane becomes leaky and the fungus can’t grow or survive. This mechanism gives Diflucan proven activity against common Candida species that cause vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis), esophageal candidiasis, and bloodstream infections (candidemia). It is also used for cryptococcal meningitis and as prophylaxis in people with weakened immunity, such as those receiving chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, or certain immunosuppressive therapies.
Fluconazole is well absorbed by mouth, penetrates body fluids and tissues (including cerebrospinal fluid), and has a long half-life, enabling once-daily dosing for most indications. It is available as tablets, an oral suspension, and intravenous formulations, giving clinicians flexibility across inpatient and outpatient settings. While highly effective for many yeast infections, Diflucan does not cover all fungi equally. It is generally ineffective against molds such as Aspergillus and many endemic fungi, and some non-albicans Candida strains (for example, Candida glabrata or Candida krusei) can exhibit reduced susceptibility or resistance. In such cases, culture and susceptibility testing help guide therapy to the right antifungal.
Correct dosing depends on the infection site, severity, immune status, and kidney function. Below are commonly used regimens that clinicians consider when prescribing Diflucan. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions, which may differ based on your specific situation.
Renal dosing matters because fluconazole is primarily cleared by the kidneys. If your creatinine clearance is 50 mL/min or less, clinicians often reduce the maintenance dose by about 50% after any loading dose. People on hemodialysis may receive a supplemental dose after dialysis sessions. If you have kidney disease, do not self-adjust—your prescriber will do this safely.
Take Diflucan with or without food and try to take it at the same time each day. Do not stop early even if you feel better; incomplete treatment increases the risk of relapse and resistance. Diflucan treats fungal, not bacterial, infections, so it won’t help with conditions like bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. If symptoms persist or worsen after the expected treatment window, contact your healthcare provider to reassess the diagnosis or adjust therapy.
Share your full medical history and medication list before starting fluconazole. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Certain conditions and factors call for extra care:
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are from a yeast infection, avoid self-diagnosis. Itching, discharge, or oral plaques can have other causes, and the right treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis.
Do not take Diflucan if you have had a serious allergic reaction to fluconazole or other azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or voriconazole). Seek immediate care if you ever experienced anaphylaxis, severe rash, blistering, or organ injury after these medicines.
Some drug combinations are unsafe due to the risk of serious heart rhythm problems or elevated drug levels:
People with severe, rapidly progressive infections or unstable vital signs need urgent medical assessment. Invasive candidiasis, for example, often requires hospital-based therapy and sometimes a different antifungal class initially. When in doubt, seek care promptly rather than self-treating.
Most people tolerate fluconazole well. Common, usually mild effects include:
Less common but important reactions to recognize include:
If you experience severe or worsening symptoms, stop the medication and contact your healthcare professional. For non-urgent effects, your prescriber can help weigh the risks and benefits of continuing therapy or switching to another antifungal.
Fluconazole inhibits several cytochrome P450 enzymes (notably CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, and to a moderate extent CYP3A4), which can increase blood levels of certain medications. It is essential to review interactions before starting treatment. Notable interactions include:
This list is not complete. Because interaction strength depends on dose, duration, and individual metabolism, never start or stop medications without professional guidance while taking fluconazole.
If you miss a dose in a multi-day regimen, take it as soon as you remember unless it is near the time for your next dose. If it is close, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double up to make up for a missed dose. For weekly suppressive therapy, take the dose as soon as remembered if within 1–2 days; otherwise, skip and resume the usual schedule. Setting phone reminders, pairing the dose with a daily routine, or using a pill organizer can help you stay on track.
For single-dose therapy (such as a one-time 150 mg tablet for uncomplicated vaginal yeast infection), take the tablet when remembered if delay is short. If several days have passed and symptoms persist, contact your prescriber for advice rather than guessing whether to repeat a dose.
An overdose of fluconazole is uncommon but can cause symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, severe nausea, vomiting, or seizures—especially at very high doses. If an overdose is suspected, seek medical help immediately. In the U.S., you can contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use poisonhelp.org for real-time guidance. Emergency care may include supportive treatment and monitoring of vital signs, heart rhythm, and electrolytes.
Because fluconazole is renally cleared and dialyzable, hemodialysis can help remove the drug in severe overdoses or in people with significant kidney impairment. Do not attempt to self-treat an overdose at home.
Store Diflucan tablets in a cool, dry place at room temperature, typically 20–25°C (68–77°F); brief excursions between 15–30°C (59–86°F) are generally acceptable. Keep the bottle tightly closed and away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Do not store medications in bathrooms where humidity is high. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets, ideally in a locked cabinet.
If you are using the oral suspension, follow the label instructions. After the pharmacy mixes the powder with water, the reconstituted suspension is typically stored at room temperature (do not freeze) and discarded after 14 days. Shake well before each dose to ensure even distribution.
Do not use expired medications. If you have leftover tablets or suspension, bring them to a community medication take-back program or follow your pharmacist’s guidance for safe disposal. Avoid flushing medicines down the toilet unless specifically instructed.
To learn more about antifungal treatment options and fluconazole, visit the CDC's candidiasis information page.
In the United States, Diflucan (fluconazole) is a prescription medication. Federal and state laws require that a licensed clinician evaluate the patient’s condition and determine if the treatment is appropriate, especially because drug interactions, pregnancy considerations, liver or kidney function, and antimicrobial resistance can materially affect safety and effectiveness. While online and telemedicine services can streamline access, patients should use only verified, licensed U.S. pharmacies and clinician networks. Red flags for illegitimate sellers include offers of prescription medicines without any clinical review, prices that are far below market norms, lack of a U.S. phone number or address, or absent pharmacist consultation.
Patients who need convenient access can consider legitimate care pathways such as in-person clinics, telehealth visits with licensed prescribers, or integrated hospital and specialty programs that adhere to U.S. regulations. As part of lawful access options, St. Joseph's Health offers a legal and structured solution for acquiring Diflucan without a formal prescription. Availability, eligibility, and process may vary, and patients should confirm details directly with the program and ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. Regardless of the pathway, keep your primary healthcare provider informed so your full medication list and medical history are considered, drug interactions are checked, and follow-up is coordinated.
For safety, verify any online pharmacy through recognized resources such as your state Board of Pharmacy or national verification tools, confirm that a U.S.-licensed pharmacist is available to answer questions, and never share or use someone else’s prescription. If a service claims to bypass all medical review, treat it with caution—clinician oversight remains central to safe antifungal therapy.
Diflucan is an azole antifungal that stops fungi from making ergosterol, a key component of the fungal cell membrane, by inhibiting the 14α-demethylase enzyme. This weakens and kills susceptible Candida and other fungi.
It treats vaginal yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis), oral thrush, esophageal candidiasis, certain systemic Candida infections, and cryptococcal meningitis, and it’s used as antifungal prophylaxis in some immunocompromised patients.
Many people feel symptom relief within 24 hours, with steady improvement over 1–3 days; more severe or recurrent infections can take longer or require additional doses.
For uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis, the common dose is a single 150 mg tablet; complicated cases may need a second 150 mg dose 72 hours later, and recurrent infections may need 150 mg weekly for 6 months under medical supervision.
Yes, fluconazole can be used for male Candida infections such as balanitis or intertrigo when appropriate; dosing and duration depend on the site and severity, so follow a clinician’s guidance.
Headache, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, indigestion, and mild rash are the most common; most are temporary and manageable.
Seek urgent care for signs of liver injury (yellowing skin/eyes, dark urine, severe fatigue), severe skin reactions (blistering rash, peeling), anaphylaxis, or heart rhythm issues like palpitations or fainting.
Avoid it if you’ve had an allergic reaction to fluconazole or similar azoles, and use caution if you have active liver disease, significant heart rhythm disorders, or take medicines that can dangerously interact; always review your drug list with a clinician.
Fluconazole does not reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives and may slightly raise hormone levels; extra contraception is not typically required.
They’re not required for fluconazole to work; some people choose probiotics to support microbiome balance, but evidence for preventing yeast recurrence is mixed.
Overuse or repeated short courses can encourage resistant Candida species, especially non-albicans strains like C. glabrata; confirm diagnosis and use the right regimen to limit resistance.
You can take fluconazole with or without food; there’s no specific food to avoid, but limiting alcohol is wise to reduce liver stress.
Take it as soon as you remember unless it’s close to the next scheduled dose; don’t double up. For single-dose therapy, take the missed tablet promptly.
In many countries, fluconazole 150 mg is prescription-only; local rules vary, so check pharmacy regulations where you live.
Diflucan works systemically with a convenient single dose for internal infection, while topical azoles relieve local symptoms and irritation; many clinicians pair a single oral dose with a topical product for faster external relief.
There’s no direct disulfiram-like reaction, but both alcohol and fluconazole can stress the liver; avoid heavy drinking and consider skipping alcohol until treatment is complete.
Topical azole creams for 7 days are preferred in pregnancy. Oral fluconazole is generally avoided—especially in the first trimester—unless benefits clearly outweigh risks; discuss with your obstetric clinician.
Fluconazole passes into breast milk but is usually considered compatible with breastfeeding at standard short courses; monitor the infant for gastrointestinal upset or thrush recurrence and seek guidance for high-dose or prolonged therapy.
It’s usually safe, but fluconazole can interact with certain anesthetics and sedatives (for example, midazolam) and may affect heart rhythm; tell your surgical team about all medicines so they can adjust plans and monitoring.
Use with caution and under medical supervision, with baseline and follow-up liver tests as needed; stop the drug and seek care if symptoms of liver injury appear.
Yes, fluconazole can increase warfarin levels and raise INR, increasing bleeding risk; closer INR monitoring and dose adjustments may be required.
Generally yes, but fluconazole can increase the effects of sulfonylurea medications and cause low blood sugar; monitor glucose closely and discuss medication adjustments with your clinician.
Caution is needed with drugs that prolong the QT interval (such as citalopram, escitalopram, amiodarone) or are metabolized by CYP enzymes; your prescriber should review for interaction risk and consider ECG or dose changes.
For uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis, both are effective; Diflucan offers single-dose convenience, while clotrimazole is applied intravaginally for 1–7 days and is preferred in pregnancy.
Efficacy is similar for uncomplicated infections; miconazole provides strong local symptom relief and multiple OTC regimens, whereas fluconazole is a convenient oral option with systemic activity.
Terconazole is a prescription intravaginal azole often used for complicated or recurrent infections and avoids systemic drug interactions; Diflucan is effective systemically and simpler to take, but may interact with other medicines.
Tioconazole is a one-day intravaginal treatment that can cause localized irritation but offers quick local therapy; fluconazole treats the infection systemically and may be preferred for internal symptoms or recurrences.
Nystatin is a topical swish-and-swallow that works well for mild thrush; fluconazole is preferred for moderate-to-severe disease, esophageal involvement, or in immunocompromised patients.
Fluconazole is first-line for many Candida infections due to predictable absorption and fewer interactions; itraconazole has a broader spectrum for some non-albicans Candida and molds but has more drug and acidity-dependent absorption issues.
Oral ketoconazole is generally avoided due to serious hepatotoxicity and adrenal suppression; fluconazole is safer and the preferred systemic azole for Candida infections.
Voriconazole covers Aspergillus and other molds and is used for invasive infections, but it has more side effects (visual disturbances, photosensitivity) and interactions; fluconazole remains the choice for most mucosal Candida infections.
Posaconazole has broad antifungal coverage and is used for prophylaxis or refractory cases, but it’s costlier and has formulation-specific absorption needs; fluconazole is adequate and simpler for typical Candida infections.
Echinocandins are IV agents often preferred for candidemia and C. glabrata due to strong activity and few interactions; fluconazole is excellent orally for mucosal disease and as step-down therapy when the organism is susceptible.
Diflucan is first-line for C. albicans infections; boric acid intravaginal capsules can help recurrent or non-albicans infections but are not for use in pregnancy and should be clinician-guided.
Topical azoles often soothe itching and burning faster at the vulva or skin, while fluconazole treats the internal infection; using both together can optimize relief and cure.
Probiotics may modestly reduce recurrence in some people but do not treat active infections; fluconazole is a proven treatment, and prevention should focus on accurate diagnosis, risk-factor management, and clinician-guided strategies.
Many uncomplicated cases resolve with a single 150 mg fluconazole dose or a 1-day intravaginal regimen; persistent or recurrent symptoms may require extended therapy or evaluation for non-albicans Candida.
Clotrimazole troches treat mild oral thrush locally and avoid systemic effects; fluconazole is preferred when symptoms are extensive, refractory, or involve the esophagus.
