Fluconazole is an antifungal medication that can be used off-label to treat tinea versicolor (also known as pityriasis versicolor). It works by destroying the fungus causing your infection.
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Fluconazole is an antifungal medication that is used to treat a range of infections caused by candida, including thrush and infections of the blood. It can also be prescribed off-label as a once-aweek treatment for tinea versicolor, and can help clear your infection in two weeks.
Tinea versicolor, or pityriasis versicolor, is a common infection of the skin caused by an overgrowth of yeast (fungus). This fungus usually lives on people’s skin without causing any issues, but when too much of it grows and it spreads unnaturally, tinea versicolor can develop.
People tend to get fungal skin infections like tinea versicolor when they’re in warm and humid environments. How it develops isn’t always clear, but the infection doesn’t spread from person-to-person.
How does Fluconazole work?
Fluconazole belongs to a class of antifungals known as triazoles. Triazoles work by slowing the growth of infectious fungi when they grow out of control.
Tinea versicolor is caused by Malassezia yeasts, which are skin flora that occur naturally in around 90% of adults. Although these yeasts (fungi) don’t usually cause people problems, if too much of it is produced it can cause an infection to develop.
The condition causes patches of skin to change colour. For people with white skin, the patches can appear red or pink, and you might notice they don’t tan in the sun. On darker skin, the patches may seem paler than the skin surrounding them. They often pop up around the chest, upper back and arms, or sometimes your tummy or neck. Sometimes, the patches are scaly and you might feel the need to scratch them.
A clinician can determine whether changes to your skin are being caused by tinea versicolor infection. Fluconazole can destroy the yeast overgrowth, which should mean your symptoms bother you less as the infection clears.
What doses of Fluconazole are there?
As Fluconazole is used off-label to treat tinea versicolor, the dose you’re prescribed may vary depending on the severity of your infection. A clinician can advise you best about which dose they think will manage your condition, and you’ll often be asked to provide photographs of the affected areas.
To treat other conditions, the capsules are available in a range of doses. For tinea versicolor, the recommended dose is 300mg a week, for two weeks. This will mean taking two 150mg capsules at the same time. If your infection hasn’t cleared after a fortnight, get in touch to discuss other options that might work more effectively.
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
Fluconazole capsules can be swallowed whole with a glass of water. It’s recommended you take them at the same time each day to avoid making any mistakes like overdosing, or forgetting to take them.
The capsules come in blister pockets that need to be handled the right way to make sure you don’t damage or break them. If you push the blister pocket in the centre, it can deform the capsule and impact how effective the medication is. To avoid this happening, carefully push the capsule pocket around the edges.
If you think one of the capsules may be damaged, or the blister pocket appears open before you have used it, let our team know.
How long does Fluconazole take to work?
Fluconazole is used for a variety of fungal infections, and they all take varying lengths of time to clear.
We can’t guarantee how long it will take Fluconazole to work for your infection, but it’s usually prescribed as a once-a-week treatment that you take for two weeks. If you don’t see any signs of improvement during the two week course of treatment, let a clinician know and they can discuss some other options that might work better for you.
What should I do if I make a mistake while using Fluconazole?
Taking more Fluconazole than you need to can make you severely unwell, so should be avoided. Antifungal medications need to be taken exactly how they’ve been prescribed, so there’s no need to try and up your dose to get more benefits from the medication.
If you think you’ve taken more capsules than you need, you should go urgently to your nearest hospital.
If you know you’ve forgotten to take a dose, you can take a capsule providing it’s not too close until your next one is due. If you have any concerns or questions about making a mistake while you’re taking Fluconazole, get in touch with a clinician and let them know.
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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Why should I buy Fluconazole online with Treated?
Answer:
We’ve made getting the help you need as easy as possible. Choosing the right medication to manage your condition is a simple process. All you need to do is answer a few questions, and our team of experts will help find you a suitable treatment.
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Do I need a prescription for Fluconazole?
Answer:
You’ll need a prescription to start using Fluconazole. Any treatments that are being used off-label, like this one, need to be approved and prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Is Fluconazole similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
A clinician will usually look at your skin (or photographs) and your symptoms to determine the best treatment for your infection.
Sometimes topical shampoos and creams are prescribed, such as clotrimazole, which are applied topically. If your pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor) is extensive enough to need oral antifungal treatment, then triazoles are usually recommended in the form of tablets or capsules. Itraconazole and voriconazole, which are both types of triazoles, are often used to manage the condition.
How is Fluconazole different to other treatments for thrush?
Answer:
There are many kinds of fungal infection, so it follows that there are different medicines to treat those various infections.
Many fungal infections are caused by the candida fungus; candida is responsible for athlete’s foot, vaginal yeast infections, nail fungus, jock itch, nappy (diaper) rash, and oral thrush. Fluconazole is the active ingredient in many antifungal medications, which come as tablets or topical treatments such as sprays and creams. Fluconazole, though, comes in a capsule which you should swallow with water.
If you’re unsure about the best choice of treatment for you, our clinicians can help you find the right medication.
Will Fluconazole cause any side effects?
Answer:
Side effects are a common response people experience when taking nearly all medications. This means you might get some when taking Fluconazole, but they don’t affect everyone in the same way.
Serious allergic reactions to this medication are rare, but if you notice a widespread rash, your lymph nodes seem enlarged, or if your body temperature seems abnormally high, you should seek immediate medical attention. The patient information leaflet (PIL) that comes with your Fluconazole capsules contains a comprehensive list of side effects you might potentially experience.
Fluconazole can affect your liver, so it’s best to try and give us as much information as possible during your consultation if you think this might cause you any problems. The same goes for any other medications you’re taking that antifungals might interfere with.
How effective is Fluconazole at treating tinea versicolor?
Answer:
Using Fluconazole off-label to treat fungal skin conditions has shown positive results. In a 2014 study that looked at the efficacy (the effectiveness) of using 300 mg once weekly for two weeks to treat tinea versicolor, 75% of patients showed a complete cure after a four week follow-up assessment.
None of the patients in the trial experienced adverse effects. The conclusion of the trial states that fluconazole can be used with confidence to treat tinea versicolor.
Which dose of Fluconazole should I use?
Answer:
It depends on the nature of the fungal infection you’ve got. Prescriptions of 50mg will typically be given to you if you’re suffering from oral thrush. For vaginal thrush, prescriptions will usually be given for 150mg. Other, more severe infections will be dealt with using varying lengths of treatment but you’ll usually be prescribed with 200mg of Fluconazole.
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.
