Consider the side effects of Fluconazole. Thrush, which is called candidiasis by doctors, is a fungal disease that affects the mucous membranes of the genital organs and the oral cavity in children. It occurs in both sexes and often requires compulsory treatment. Independently, this ailment resolves only if it occurs due to genital dysbiosis, which is provoked by taking large doses of antibiotics. To carry out the treatment of such a disease, today there are various drugs in pharmacies, and Fluconazole is one of them. We describe the side effects of the drug below.
What is this medicine?
“Fluconazole” is characterized, first of all, as an antifungal drug that actively fights against the causative agent of thrush. This medicine today is one of the strongest antifungal medications with a wide range of effects. Its effectiveness is based on the fact that it inhibits the enzymes of the fungus, which provide this pathogen with good nutrition, contributing to its reproduction and growth.
True, one should not forget about the side effects of Fluconazole. Taking the drug leads to the death of the fungus and the restoration of healthy microflora. They produce the medicine in five forms, and the doctor after examining the patient, at his discretion, selects the best option for achieving a quick therapeutic result. The choice of today in pharmacies presents the formats of the drug in the form of tablets, syrup, capsules, powder for suspensions and a solution for injection.
The option for injection is mainly prescribed for severe thrush. Often, "Fluconazole" is used as part of complex therapy, including cleansing douching, taking anti-inflammatory drugs and the drug itself.
Structure
As the annotation to Fluconazole informs us, a key active substance called fluconazole is present in the medicine. Among the auxiliary components in the production of the medicine, lactose, magnesium stearate are used along with potato starch monohydrate and silicon dioxide. The capsule shell consists of gelatin and titanium dioxide.
Pharmacological properties
Before describing the side effects of Fluconazole 150 mg, let's talk about its pharmacological properties. The drug suppresses fungal lanosterol, which serves as a key step in the biosynthesis of ergosterol. As a result, the membranes of fungal cells lose ergosterol and respond to the antifungal activity of the drug. The medication shows good antifungal activity in relation to various types of Candida, which are found most often.
According to available studies, the use of the drug in question for twenty-eight days does not affect the testosterone level in men. Also, this tool does not affect endogenous steroids in the body of women.
Fluconazole is usually well absorbed. In the body, its highest concentration is achieved, as a rule, a maximum of one and a half hours after administration. The volume of the drug in blood plasma is fully proportional to the dose taken. An equilibrium concentration in ninety percent of cases is achieved on the second day of administration.
The process of binding to blood plasma proteins is quite low and amounts to only eleven to twelve percent. This tool is well able to penetrate into body fluids. Its level in saliva and sputum is equal to the concentration in the blood plasma. Regarding the skin, most of the medication in question accumulates within the stratum corneum. For "Fluconazole", as a rule, a slight metabolization of eleven percent is characteristic.
The withdrawal period is thirty hours. Most of the remedy leaves the body at the expense of the kidneys. Such a long half-life makes it possible to use it once in the presence of vaginal candidiasis or to apply it once a week against other diseases.
In patients suffering from severe kidney failure, the elimination half-life reaches ninety-eight hours, so they should reduce the dose of "Fluconazole". Regarding elderly patients, it should be noted that they have a half-life of forty-six hours.
Indications
As the annotation to Fluconazole informs us, the presented pharmaceutical preparation is prescribed to combat the following diseases:
- The presence of cryptococcal meningitis.
- The appearance of candidiasis of any mucous membranes.
- The development of coccidioidosis.
- If the patient has chronic atrophic candidiasis due to the use of dentures, in the event that local dental products are ineffective.
- The occurrence of vaginal candidiasis, when local therapy is no longer appropriate.
- Against the background of dermatomycosis (we are talking about mycosis of the feet, skin, etc.).
- In the case of candidal balanitis, when local treatment is not advisable.
- With invasive candidiasis.
- In the case of dermatophytic onychomycosis, when other drugs are ineffective.
Also, "Fluconazole" to patients can be prescribed as a preventive medicine in a number of such situations:
- Against the background of relapses of cryptococcal meningitis.
- With a relapse of candidiasis in patients with HIV who have an increased risk of its occurrence.
- Frequent relapses of vaginal candidiasis (from four cases a year or more).
- With prolonged neutropenia (when chemotherapy is used as part of the fight against malignant blood diseases or if doctors performed a stem cell transplant).
This drug is prescribed for children when they are able to swallow it safely, usually starting at the age of five.
Features of the treatment of women
Depending on the form of the disease and the reasons for its development, the method of taking the pharmaceutical preparation in question is also chosen. Treatment is carried out according to a special scheme for each type of thrush:
- In the primary form of the disease, women are prescribed Fluconazole 150 mg once. At the discretion of the doctor, it is also allowed to re-take this drug after ten days in order to consolidate the result if there is a threat of a relapse of the disease. Such concerns include weakened immunity along with the passage of a course of radiation and chemotherapy.
- Against the background of recurrent thrush. When the disease is repeated several times over the course of six months, more intensive treatment is necessary. For this, the drug is prescribed in a dose of 150 milligrams once every three days for two weeks, then one pill once a month for six months. It is rarely allowed to extend the semi-annual course for a similar period of time.
- With thrush affecting the skin of the inguinal region. This form of this ailment is quite rare. The treatment in this case is as follows: once a week for thirty days they use the drug in a dosage of 150. Side effects of "Fluconazole" in this case practically do not occur.
- Against the background of thrush resulting from antibiotic treatment in high dosage. Often, after stopping the use of antibiotics, the disease in this form goes away on its own, but if this does not happen, then the patient will need immediate treatment. "Fluconazole" at a dose of 150 milligrams in a similar situation is taken once. Reuse to consolidate the result is not required. The drug is necessary only to help the body, which under normal conditions should independently eliminate such a thrush.
- In the case of the development of a severe form of the disease or the inability to take the medicine, intravenous administration is administered orally, which is carried out by means of a dropper with a dose of 20 milligrams per minute. The course of therapy for the duration and frequency of the medication is the same as when using capsules and tablets.
In the event that the patient has already undergone treatment with this drug, then, against the background of the return of the thrush, after some time the treatment can be resumed without visiting the doctor if intravenous administration is not required.
Reviews of the side effects of Fluconazole in women will be presented at the end of the article.
Use in men
A strong half of humanity has thrush, albeit extremely rare, but it can still occur. In this regard, this medicine may also come to the rescue of men. To implement the treatment, you will need to take the medicine according to certain schemes corresponding to specific forms of the disease:
- In the case of a disease that arose for the first time, and not complicated by a sexually transmitted disease, this drug is prescribed to men at a time in a dose of 150 milligrams.
- Against the background of a long-lasting mild thrush, the presented drug is drunk once a week in a capsule at a dose of 150 milligrams.
- If there is a risk of infection as a result of unprotected sexual contact with a partner who suffers from candidiasis, it is necessary to apply the suspension to the mucosa of the penis once.
As part of the prevention of thrush, men should use this drug once a month. At risk there are people among whom there is an increased body weight in combination with diabetes, as well as HIV.
Side Effects of Fluconazole in Men
It is worth noting that this medication is not suitable for all patients. The fact is that in a number of clinical cases it can provoke certain side effects. Among male patients, such complaints are likely:
- The appearance of abdominal pain (gastralgia may occur).
- The occurrence of increased fatigue and dizziness, as well as weakness.
- The development of arrhythmias or tachycardia.
- Probably also leaching of calcium.
- Symptoms in the form of headache, nausea, less often vomiting.
- Indigestion is possible.
- The appearance of hepatotoxicity, anaphylactic shock.
- The occurrence of skin rashes of various localization.
As a rule, side effects from "Fluconazole" in men are only temporary, they disappear on their own after the cancellation of the described medication. Most often we are talking about allergic reactions caused by excessive body sensitivity to active ingredients.
Side Effects of Fluconazole in Women
It must be said that with the right dosage and dosage regimen, medication in women usually does not provoke serious complications and adverse reactions. Only fifteen percent of patients have allergic reactions to the main component (they in this case are likely to manifest themselves in the form of urticaria, erythema, rash).
What other side effects of Fluconazole have been observed in women? Among other things, failures in the functioning of the digestive system are not ruled out. It is extremely rare, as in men (one to two percent of cases), women experience nausea along with headache, dizziness and liver damage.
If you strictly follow the instructions for use, side effects from Fluconazole practically do not occur.
General negative reactions "
So, the medication in question can cause some undesirable manifestations from the work of both the male and female body. The standard adverse reactions from taking fluconazole are headache, along with nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the abdominal cavity and a rash.
In addition, in women and representatives of the stronger sex in the body, there may be an increased content of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, as well as alkaline phosphatase in the blood. The use of this drug can result in side effects from the circulatory system in the form of anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.
It is also worth noting that the use of "Fluconazole" for the immune system of the human body is sometimes fraught with anaphylaxis. Also, metabolic disturbance is not excluded, for example, a decrease in appetite in combination with hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypokalemia. Side effects of "Fluconazole" in women and men are quite unpleasant.
Some patients complain that they are disturbed by mental disorders in the form of insomnia and drowsiness. Regarding the nervous system, it is worth noting that doctors recorded complaints from patients about the occurrence of headaches, cramps, dizziness, tremors, paresthesia, and taste disorders.
Hearing organs, according to experts, can respond with such a side effect as vertigo. There was also a negative effect of the drug in question on the cardiac and vascular systems, and therefore, patients of both sexes may experience ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia of the pirouette type, along with lengthening the QT interval.
Side effects from Fluconazole and the digestive system are not avoided. For example, patients sometimes complain of dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, flatulence, dyspepsia and the like. The hepatobiliary system is able to respond by increasing the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase Bilirubin. Cholestasis is also likely along with jaundice, liver failure, hepatocellular necrosis, hepatitis.
As stated in the annotation for Fluconazole tablets, a rash, dermatitis, itching, and also reactions in the form of urticaria, facial edema, alopecia, and exfoliative dermatitis can appear. In addition, complaints about the presence of increased sweat secretion, the appearance of toxic epidermal necrolysis, generalized acute exanthematous pustulosis and angioedema are rarely recorded.
For the bone, as well as the muscular system, the use of "Fluconazole" is sometimes fraught with myalgia. Also, patients have repeatedly noted general disorders in the form of increased fatigue, malaise, asthenia, fever and the like. Among children, the nature and frequency of adverse reactions in the framework of clinical trials is comparable to adults.
Side effects of "Fluconazole" in men and women occur more often against the background of an overdose.
Overdose
Against the background of an excess of funds in the body, the appearance of hallucinations, as well as paranoid behavior, is possible. The first aid in this case should be gastric lavage. Treatment should be symptomatic. It should be borne in mind that "Fluconazole" can be excreted in the urine, and forced diuresis is able to accelerate the withdrawal of this medication. Performing a hemodialysis session for three hours helps to lower the level of the drug in the blood plasma by an average of fifty percent.
General contraindications
The pharmaceutical agent "Fluconazole" has a number of prohibitions for use. They are conditionally divided into two groups: absolute and relative. The following contraindications are referred to the first category:
- The use of the drug in a dose equal to or more than 400 milligrams in combination with such drugs as Terfenadine, Astemizole and other medicines that have a similar effect.
- Lactation in women.
- "Fluconazole" is forbidden to small patients who are younger than three years old.
- The presence of intolerance or hypersensitivity to the components of pills or capsules, and, in addition, with respect to antifungal ingredients that are derivatives of azole.
The second group includes the following prohibitions:
- In the presence of pregnancy, the pharmaceutical preparation under consideration is prescribed only when the risks from the development of the fungus exceed the risk of losing the baby.
- Against the background of liver failure.
- If the patient is prone to skin reactions in the form of a rash when using antifungal drugs.
With caution by doctors, the described antifungal medication is prescribed for patients up to eighteen years old, and, in addition, to patients with chronic kidney and liver failure. The same applies to diseases of the cardiac and vascular system.Elder people who are over sixty-five years old, and, in addition, in the case of a predisposition to allergic diseases, should refrain from treatment. Abstract to "Fluconazole" in capsules confirms this.
Additional guidance
Given that, according to the instructions, “Fluconazole” can cause side effects in the form of dizziness and fatigue or hallucinations, it is advisable to take a certain category of people with great care. These include those who are associated with driving or who are responsible for managing complex mechanisms.
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It is important to consider that the drug in question must be taken during the entire period prescribed by the doctor. In that case, if you arbitrarily stop taking it against the background of the disappearance of superficial symptoms of the disease, then this can lead to a relapse. The use of alcoholic beverages during therapy is strictly prohibited. Pills and capsules are stored away from the sun, always in a dry place at a temperature that should not be higher than thirty degrees.
Drug Interactions and Side Effects
In addition to the bans already listed, the combined use of Fluconazole and such medications as:
- When combined with Cisapride, side effects from the cardiac and vascular systems are possible, there are risks of ventricular tachycardia.
- While taking with "Terfenadine" there is a threat of developing serious cardiac arrhythmias.
- Under the influence of Astemizole, clearance decreases and QT lengthening is caused, and sometimes paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia.
- Pimozide, just like Quinidine, can lead to inhibition of drug withdrawal from the human body, causing QT lengthening. In rare cases, this can lead to ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia.
- "Erythromycin" increases the risk of cardiotoxicity, which can lead to sudden death.
- Under the influence of Amiodarone, inhibition of metabolism is possible along with a significant lengthening of the QT interval.
- Halofantrine increases the risks of cardiotoxicity and, at the same time, sudden cardiac death.
Further we learn that people and medical specialists tell about this tool.
Patient Reviews
Consider reviews of the side effects of Fluconazole. People in the comments say that they heard a lot about this drug, both good and bad, but they have repeatedly seen from their own experience that it really helps a lot. According to patients, after the first capsule the symptoms quickly disappear. Relapses are not observed.
Women say that after treatment with "Fluconazole" microflora is quickly restored. Men who happened to encounter a disease such as thrush in their lives also say that this antifungal drug actively fights the causative agent of the disease and effectively helps get rid of it.
Unfortunately, despite the good result from the treatment, there are reviews of the side effects of Fluconazole. All patients complain about this. Negative reactions are noted while taking this drug. For example, men complain about the appearance of abdominal pain, the occurrence of increased fatigue and dizziness, as well as weakness. Some develop arrhythmia or tachycardia. What are the reviews about the side effects of Fluconazole in women? Ladies in the comments complain about frequent allergic reactions and disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system.
Doctors reviews
If you observe contraindications, side effects of "Fluconazole", according to reviews, develop less frequently. Doctors report that there are two problems in the fight against candidiasis: an attempt to self-medicate without undergoing a preliminary examination, as well as a late appeal to a specialist. Only a doctor can determine the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy. According to doctors, in their reviews, "Fluconazole" with thrush is the most effective medication from the line of antimycotic agents of systemic effects.
In order to cure an acute episode, as a rule, just one pill of "Fluconazole" is enough. But, when candidiasis is repeated three to five times a year, then doctors consider it advisable to have a long treatment period: once every seven days, 150 milligrams for six months.
Reviews of side effects of "Fluconazole" also occur. But doctors believe that here it is all about individual intolerance.
Thus, in recent years, the overall prevalence of various fungal diseases has increased significantly. This is directly related to the active and far from always competent use of antibiotics, cytostatics, corticosteroid drugs, as well as the development of immunodeficiency. As doctors note, in clinical practice, urogenital candidiasis can very often occur.
Thrush is characterized by the presence of vesicles, and, in addition, pinpoint erosion and damage to the mucosa, which, under the influence of the disease, is prone to cracks and bleeding in the region of the vestibule. According to experts, Fluconazole during the development of this disease is the drug of choice in the systemic treatment of candidal infections.
As reported in the comments, it is highly active against Candida (only three percent of the strains of this parasite are resistant to Fluconazole), has good bioavailability and a minimum of contraindications. Unfortunately, this medicine can provoke certain side effects in people, but with strict adherence to medical recommendations, these can be avoided.
We reviewed the instructions, contraindications and side effects of "Fluconazole."