"Fluconazole" is considered one of the most popular and highly effective means in the fight against fungal infection. Along with reliability and effectiveness in the fight against fungi, the drug, unfortunately, has a number of contraindications to the appointment. "Fluconazole" is a danger to pregnant women. This drug belongs to prescription drugs, and only the attending physician of the future mother can prescribe it, taking into account the individual characteristics of her patient. Taking the drug alone is not recommended. Is it possible to take "Fluconazole" during pregnancy and what is the danger of this drug from vaginal candidiasis for the unborn baby, we will write further.
Description of the drug
"Fluconazole" is recognized as a highly effective antifungal medication widely used to treat diseases provoked by propagating fungi, such as vaginal candidiasis or, in other words, thrush. A medicine is produced in the form of tablets or capsules, which, as a rule, have a different dosage of the main active substance, fluconazole.
The main substance of a drug when it enters the human body reduces the activity of pathogenic harmful microorganisms, violates the integrity of the membranes and stops their further growth and reproduction. "Fluconazole" is prescribed during therapy:
- cryptococcosis;
- candidiasis of the mucous membranes, including the female genital organs;
- infection caused by fungi and resulting from reduced immunity.
The dosage of the drug is selected by the attending physician, based on the results of laboratory tests and the complexity, characteristics of the patient's disease.
Contraindications for taking the drug
Unfortunately, there are a number of significant contraindications for the use of "Fluconazole" in:
- pregnancy, as well as during lactation;
- the sensitivity of the human body to the active substance of the medicinal composition;
- simultaneous administration of a medication with Astemizole or Terfenadine;
- impaired functioning of vital internal organs (renal or liver failure);
- under the age of four.
Side effects
When taking Fluconazole, the following adverse reactions may occur:
- Vomiting, decreased or loss of appetite.
- Pain in the head, fatigue.
- Diarrhea, flatulence.
- Allergy in the form of a skin rash and itching.
Candidiasis during pregnancy
Genital candidiasis during child bearing, unfortunately, is very common. This disease is accompanied by real suffering for expectant mothers, but not always. Some pregnant women only become aware of candidiasis after receiving laboratory results. Symptoms of candidiasis are as follows:
- white or whitish-yellow cheesy discharge;
- specific sour unpleasant odor in the intimate area;
- itching and burning in the vagina.
Allocations can appear at any stage of pregnancy: in the first, second or third trimester. Reasons for the appearance of candidiasis during the period of bearing a child:
- Rapid propagation of fungi in the vagina. During pregnancy, fungi begin to multiply rapidly due to hormonal changes, namely changes in the acidity of the vagina, and a decrease in the body's immunity. An abundant amount of fungi provokes the onset of the inflammatory process, accompanied by itching, burning and vaginal discharge. Unpleasant sensations are especially intensified in the evening and at night, during sexual intercourse or after hygienic procedures.
- Antibiotic treatment before conceiving a baby. Antibiotics inhibit the growth of bacteria and do not affect fungi. The rapid growth of the latter is caused by the absence of any other microorganisms in the habitat. If antibiotic treatment will occur during pregnancy, then genital candidiasis is most likely 100% guaranteed.
- Taking hormonal drugs.
- Reducing the functions of protecting the body of a woman in the process of bearing a child.
- Wearing synthetic underwear.
The disease causes great discomfort to a sick person, but it is simple to cure thrush. There are many effective medicines that suppress the increase in the amount of fungus in the female body. Most drugs, including Fluconazole, are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Taking the medicine is a threat to the future fetus. Assign "Fluconazole" to a pregnant woman for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis can only be the attending gynecologist.
If thrush is not treated, then there is a serious risk of its further spread and the appearance of complications in both the expectant mother and her baby. The neglected form of the disease can lead to irreversible consequences, namely:
- early termination of pregnancy;
- the spread of fungi to the amniotic membranes;
- genital candidiasis in the third trimester;
- the birth of a premature baby;
- the risk of infection of the baby during delivery.
Can I take "Fluconazole" during pregnancy or not? Next, we will describe in detail the risks of treatment with this drug, depending on the period of gestation.
Pregnancy planning
Women who have had genital candidiasis before conceiving a baby are wondering if it is possible to treat the fluconazole fungal disease when planning a pregnancy. Gynecologists do not recommend taking this medication to women planning a conception for the following reasons. The process of removing the active component of this drug from the human body lasts up to two weeks. If, nevertheless, a woman uses Fluconazole, then conceiving a child should be postponed if possible for a certain time, at least for a month. It is best to consult your doctor-gynecologist, who will prescribe another effective drug for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.
Fluconazole Treatment
Reviews about "Fluconazole" during pregnancy are various, both positive and negative. Some doctors believe that this drug should in no case be used during the period of gestation, regardless of gestational age.
Other gynecologists allow the use of "Fluconazole" during pregnancy in a dosage that is safe for the unborn child. When prescribing, they must take into account the duration of pregnancy, since the dosage when taking the drug in each trimester is different.
"Fluconazole" in the first trimester
"Fluconazole" during pregnancy in the early stages is contraindicated in the expectant mother. According to studies, taking the drug in excessive doses in the first weeks of the unborn child has a detrimental effect on the development of the fetus. The risk of heart defects in a child increases, since the active component that is part of Fluconazole crosses the placenta and has a negative effect on the fetus in the womb. The most negative consequences of taking "Fluconazole" during early pregnancy can be expressed in abortion.
In the second trimester
In the second trimester of pregnancy, the so-called golden period, the development of internal organs and systems of the fetus, corset from the muscles of the child. The active substance of the drug has a negative effect on the development of the internal organs of the future person. "Fluconazole" for thrush during pregnancy in the second trimester is not recommended.
In the last stages of bearing a child
"Fluconazole" during pregnancy in the last trimester, a gynecologist can prescribe, but in extreme cases:
- when the defeat of candidiasis is dangerous for the life of a woman waiting for the birth of a child;
- when the disease can cause significant harm to the unborn baby;
- when there is a risk that fungal infection can lead to various pathologies, the birth of an inanimate fetus or to complicated delivery.
Fluconazole during lactation
The medication is forbidden to take while breastfeeding the baby. After taking the drug, the concentration of its active substances in the blood plasma and mother's milk increases. If necessary, treatment with this antifungal drug is recommended to stop breastfeeding for a certain time.
Negative effects of Fluconazole
Sometimes women take "Fluconazole", unfortunately, not knowing that they are already expecting a baby. In the first days of pregnancy, the development and formation of the internal organs of the baby occurs. Although the likelihood that the drug in the permitted dose will negatively affect the development of the fetus is very small, but when the dose is exceeded, the risk of malformations in the baby increases. Do not trust the recommendations of friends and acquaintances about Fluconazole. Remember that a strong antifungal agent should be taken only as directed by your doctor. Taking the drug during pregnancy can lead to the following consequences for the fetus: mental retardation, cleft palate, abnormal development of the skeleton and skull of the child, congenital malformations of internal organs.
Analogs
By analogs of "Fluconazole" according to the action include: "Diaflu", "Mikomax", "Diflazon", "Fluzak". Although gynecologists try to prescribe to pregnant women drugs with another active ingredient, for example, Pimafucin. For surgical treatment of vaginal candidiasis, "Fluconazole" is used in the form of suppositories or gel, which most effectively acts in the places of their application, while the absorption of the active substance in human blood is minimal in this case. Thus, if a woman took Fluconazole during pregnancy, provided that it was a suppository, the risk to the fetus was minimal. This form of release can reduce the effect of the drug on the unborn child. It is worth remembering that before using any remedy, you definitely need to consult a gynecologist.
How to avoid thrush?
If a woman had to face genital candidiasis before pregnancy, then she needs to be very attentive to the body when this condition occurs. After all, treatment will consist of taking strong antifungal drugs, such as Fluconazole.
To the question, is it possible to drink "Fluconazole" during pregnancy, unfortunately, the answer is no. So, the basic rules when planning pregnancy:
- It is required to cure candidiasis in advance. After completing the course of therapy, take a smear to confirm that the disease has been cured and that you can begin planning pregnancy.
- When pregnancy occurs, a woman needs to regularly visit the attending gynecologist and follow all recommendations regarding nutrition.
- During intimacy, it is imperative to use a condom to reduce the likelihood of infection by a fungus.
Also, a woman is recommended to take with caution medications that provoke an exacerbation of candidiasis.