Fluconazole is a type of medicine called an antifungal. It uses the active ingredient fluconazole to help treat infections caused by fungi and prevent you from getting a common type of yeast infection called Candida. Fluconazole is taken orally when other oral antifungal treatments are unsuitable and helps treat a range of skin infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and fungal nail infections. Typically, Fluconazole is used topically for vaginal thrush.
Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) are caused by the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot. The fungus lives within the keratin of the skin's outer layer. Once it spreads to the keratin of the nails, it leads to a fungal nail infection. The areas of the nail that are infected could appear white or yellow and may become thick and brittle.
How does Fluconazole work?
Fluconazole prevents the growth of fungi by blocking the production of ergosterol, a vital substance for the fungal cell membrane. This causes a loss of sterols, making the fungi permeable and unable to continue growing. Unlike other treatments, fluconazole targets only fungal cells and does not affect the normal functioning of human cells. It also prevents the formation of yeasts and their activity.
What doses of Fluconazole are available?
Fluconazole is available in 50mg, 100mg, 150mg, or 200mg of fluconazole. For the treatment of fungal nails, the recommended dose is typically 150mg once weekly. The dose and duration of treatment will be determined by your clinician once your condition has been examined closely.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Fluconazole
Your clinician will prescribe you the correct and safest dose for the severity of your fungal nail infection. You can take your capsule with or without a meal.
To take Fluconazole:
push the capsule from the edge or bottom of the pocket to avoid breaking it in the middle
swallow whole with water
try to take your capsule at the same time as your dose on the previous day.
The usual recommendations when using fluconazole to treat fungal nails is 150mg once a week, or 50mg once a day.
How long does Fluconazole take to work?
Treating fungal nail infections typically takes several months, as the infected nail needs time to regrow after cutting off the affected part. This allows the treatment to fully clear the infection. The highest levels of fluconazole in your blood occur between 0.5 and 1.5 hours after taking it. It also has a long half-life in the blood and accumulates well in the skin, so after you’ve stopped treatment, it can still remain in the skin and especially in the nails, where it can still be detected after several months of stopping. This is why you can take it as a once-weekly dose.
What happens if I make a mistake using Fluconazole?
It's important to avoid taking too many capsules, as this may lead to feeling ill. Overdose symptoms may include hallucinations, paranoid behaviour, and other erratic thoughts or sensations. If you’ve taken too much, it's important to seek urgent medical attention immediately.
If you forget to take your Fluconazole dose, avoid taking a double dose to make up for it. Instead, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's already close to your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Fluconazole
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How effective is Fluconazole at treating fungal nail infections?
Answer:
A course of Fluconazole used to treat fungal nail infections can last for several months, but it has a high success rate. In a study where Fluconazole was compared to a placebo for treating onychomycosis, clinical success was achieved by a significant percentage of patients in the Fluconazole groups. The success rates ranged from 86% to 89%, compared to only 8% in the placebo group.
Fluconazole treatment resulted in complete recovery for 28% to 36% of patients, compared to only 3% in the placebo group. The average duration for a complete cure was six to seven months. The treatment was also well tolerated by patients at all doses. Weekly doses ranging from 150mg to 450mg for six months were found to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated.
Are there similar treatments to Fluconazole?
Answer:
There are other treatments that use the same active ingredient, fluconazole. Azocan and Diflucan are brand names of Fluconazole and are available in similar doses. They essentially work the same way as Fluconazole, the only notable differences will be in pricing, packaging, and appearance.
There are also two other oral treatments used for fungal nail infections: Itraconazole and Terbinafine. They both work to target the fungus that’s causing the infection and prevent it from growing. They are usually first-line oral treatments for onychomycosis, so Fluconazole is usually used as an off-label treatment when these two haven’t been tolerated well.
What else can I do to help treat my fungal nail?
Answer:
There are plenty of self-care tips to help treat and prevent fungal nail infections:
when cutting your infected nail(s), make sure to use new nail kits each time and disinfect before and after
keep your feet clean and dry and wear clean socks every day
wear flip-flops in public showers (gym or pool)
don’t share nail clippers or scissors
if you have athlete’s foot, then treat it as soon as possible to prevent a spread to your nails.
Do I need a prescription for Fluconazole?
Answer:
Yes. You’ll need a prescription for the off-label use of Fluconazole for your fungal nail condition. Your clinician will want to check the severity of your affected nail(s) so they can determine what dose you’ll need for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Why should I buy Fluconazole online with Treated?
Answer:
Having a fungal nail infection can be an unpleasant experience, which is why we aim to get you your treatment quickly. Speak to an expert online and choose Fluconazole to get it delivered straight to your doorstep within one working day.
We’ll also provide tailored aftercare so we can check in with you to see if your condition has improved. You can reach us at any time with any questions you may have.
“Once-weekly fluconazole (150, 300, or 450 mg) in the treatment of distal subungual onychomycosis of the toenail.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 38,6 Pt 2 : S77-86. doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70490-6
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
