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Patient Information Leaflet

What is in
your medicine?

Diflucan capsules come in two different strengths:
Each light turquoise blue and white capsule contains 50mg fluconazole.
Each purple and white capsule contains 200mg fluconazole.
Colouring agents in capsule shell:
•	50mg capsules: patent blue V (E 131), titanium dioxide (E171)
•	200mg capsules: erythrosine (E 127), indigotine (E132),titanium dioxide (E171)

Other inactive ingredients (all capsule strengths): Colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, sodium lauryl sulphate, gelatin (capsule shell only).
The capsules do not contain gluten or aspartame.
Diflucan 50mg and 200mg come in packs of 7 capsules.

Product Licence Holder
and Manufacturer
Pfizer Limited, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ

What type of
medicine is Diflucan?
Diflucan is one of a group of medicines called anti-fungal agents. It is used to treat infections caused by fungi/yeasts. Diflucan may also be used to stop you from getting a fungal infection. The most common cause of fungal infections is a yeast called Candida.

What is your
medicine for?

You may be given this medicine by your doctor to treat fungal infections such as:
•	thrush of the mouth or throat (mucosal infections). Thrush is commonly caused by Candida
•	skin infections - eg athlete s foot, ringworm
•	internal (systemic) fungal infections caused by Candida - eg infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract or other body organs

•	internal (systemic) fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus 

You may also be given Diflucan to stop you from getting a fungal infection, or to stop an infection from coming back.

Your doctor may want you to take this medicine to treat other fungal infections. If in doubt, talk to your doctor

Before you
take Diflucan

If the answer is YES to any of these questions - tell your doctor immediately.

•	Are you pregnant or think you might be pregnant?
•	Are you breast-feeding'
•	Do you have kidney problems!
•	Have you ever had an allergic reaction to Diflucan, or other medicines which you may have taken to treat a fungal infection' This may have been itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing.
•	Are you taking warfarin (to prevent blood clots), oral sulphonylureas (to control diabetes), phenytoin, rifampicin theophylline or cyclosporin'

How to take
your medicine

Diflucan should only be taken by mouth.

The usual doses of this medicine for different infections are below. Check with your doctor if you are not sure why you have been prescribed Diflucan.

ADULTS

•	Mucosal infections of mouth
- 50-100mg once daily for 7-14 days
•	Mucosal infections of throat or elsewhere
- 50-100mg once doily for 14-30 days
•	Fungal skin infections
- 50mg once daily for 2-4 weeks.
- Athletes foot may need up to 6 weeks treatment

MORE INFORMATION ON DIFLUCAN

•	Internal fungal infections caused by Candida
-	400mg on the first day then 200-400mg once daily
•	Internal fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus
-	400 mg on the first day then 200-400mg once daily for 6-8 weeks
•	To stop you from getting a fungal infection
-	50-400 mg once daily while you are at risk of getting an infection
•	To prevent a Cryptococcal infection from coming back
-	100-200mg once daily indefinitely

CHILDREN

4 weeks to 15 years old

•	mucosal infections
-	3mg/kg once daily
•	internal fungal infections caused by Candida or Cryptococcus
-	6-1 2mg/kg once daily
•	prevention of fungal infections
-	3-1 2mg/kg once daily while at risk of getting an infection
2-4 weeks old
-	Same dose as above but given once every 2 days
Less than 2 weeks old
-	Same dose as above but given once every 3 days

Doctors sometimes prescribe different doses to these. The label on the pack will tell you what dose you or your child should take. If you are still not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow your capsules with a glass of water.

It is best to take your capsules at the same time each day

You may take your medicine with or without a meal.

What if you take
too many capsules?

Taking too many capsules at once may make you unwell. Contact your doctor or your nearest hospital casualty department at once.

What if you
miss a capsule?
Do not worry. If you miss a capsule, leave out that dose completely. Take your next dose at the right time.

Does your
medicine cause
undesirable effects?
Diflucan may cause some undesirable effects. The most common undesirable effects are:

•	nausea
•	stomach discomfort

•	diarrhoea
•	wind
•	rash
These undesirable effects are usually mild. If they cause you discomfort or are long lasting, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

SUSPECTED
UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS
The following effects have occurred in patients taking Diflucan but they may not be due to the drug.

•	abnormalities in blood/liver function/urine and other biochemical tests
•	liver toxicity
•	severe skin reactions

RARE UNDESIRABLE
EFFECTS

A few people develop allergic reactions to medicines. if you develop any of the following undesirable effects, tell your doctor immediately:

•	sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing or tightness in chest
•	swelling of eyelids, face or lips
•	skin lumps or red itchy spots
•	itch all over body

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you become unwell or have any other discomfort you do not understand.

Look after
your medicine

This treatment is for YOU. Do not give it to others. It may not suit them.

Do not take this medicine after the date stamped on the pack.

Where to keep
your medicine

•	Keep your medicine in a cool, dry place.
•	Keep all medicines out of the reach of children

Further information
This leaflet does not contain all the information about this medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The information in this leaflet is about Diflucan capsules only.

Date Diflucan Capsules leaflet United Kingdom
last revised - October 1994
© Pfizer Limited 1995