Diflucan
Book a quick face-to-face video consultation with a certified prescribing pharmacist, nurse, or doctor. If approved, your Diflucan will be prescribed* and delivered straight to your door with free next-day delivery†. No hidden fees. No delays. Just expert care.
* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.
† Applies to UK only.
Other Related Treatments
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Diflucan Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
Canesten
About Diflucan
Diflucan, manufactured by Pfizer, contains fluconazole an azole antifungal as the active ingredient. Diflucan is used for the treatment of non-systemic Candida infections of the vagina (yeast infections), throat, and mouth. It is also used to prevent fungal infections in people with a weakened immune system caused by bone marrow transplant, cancer treatment, or AIDs.
NowPatient offers Diflucan for the treatment of thrush only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Diflucan
- For the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, thrush, oral thrush, esophageal candidiasis, other candida infections or fungal meningitis
- Diflucan has some common side effects which include nausea and diaarhea
- It can be dangerous if you take Diflucan with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
Who is Diflucan not suitable for?
Diflucan may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Diflucan if you:
- Are allergic to fluconazole or other antifungals such as ketoconazole, miconazole, or voriconazole
- Have kidney or liver disease
- Have high blood potassium levels
- Have heart problems
How and where to get Diflucan?
You can buy Diflucan safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of thrush, you can discuss if Diflucan is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.
Dosage and strength for Diflucan for thrush
Diflucan is available as a 150 mg capsule or oral suspension when used for thrush.
Information about how to take Diflucan for thrush
Thrush is often treated with only one pill. You may take Diflucan with or without food. Speak to your healthcare provider for medical advice if you need further information.
What happens if you take too much Diflucan?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Diflucan and you experience any of the following side effects:
What are the side effects of Diflucan?
Side effects of Diflucan are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Nausea, diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Headaches, dizziness
Serious side effects include:
- Increased heart rate, shortness of breath, feeling faint
- Seizures
- Reduced adrenal gland hormones – stomach pain, loss of appetite, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting
- Skin rash
- Liver problems – loss of appetite, abdominal pain, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
If you experience any serious life-threatening side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient
Information about taking Diflucan at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Diflucan. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other prescription drugs:
- Cisapride, pimozide, tofacitinib, tolvaptan
- Vitamin A supplement
- Erythromycin
- Quinidine
- Terfenadine
- Alfentanil, fentanyl, methadone
- Theophylline
- Warfarin
- Atorvastatin, simvastatin
- Glyburide, glipizide
- Blood pressure medication
- Tacrolimus, sirolimus
- Carbamazepine, phenytoin
Can Diflucan taken for thrush be taken long term?
Diflucan is taken as a single dose when used to treat thrush. If your symptoms do not clear, speak to your doctor for further advice.
Is there a herbal Diflucan?
No. Herbal Diflucan does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Diflucan?
Women can take Diflucan for the treatment of thrush. However, fluconazole may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Diflucan?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Diflucan.
What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with thrush?
Certain foods such as yoghurts containing live cultures (acidophilus and lactobacilli) help prevent yeast overgrowth. Also, maintaining good personal hygeine will help to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Alternatives to Diflucan
Alternatives for the treatment of thrush include Canesten creams and Canesten pessaries.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Related Articles
FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Diflucan
What is Diflucan?
Diflucan is the brand name for fluconazole, a triazole antifungal medication. It is available as 50 mg and 150 mg capsules and oral suspension. Diflucan 150 mg is one of the most commonly used treatments for vaginal thrush (candidal vulvovaginitis) — a single oral capsule can effectively treat an episode of thrush. Diflucan is available both over the counter (150 mg single capsule for thrush) and on prescription for other fungal infections. It is manufactured by Pfizer.
What is Diflucan used for?
Diflucan (fluconazole) is used for vaginal thrush (single 150 mg dose), oral thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis), recurrent vaginal thrush (suppressive therapy), candidal balanitis (thrush in men), systemic candidal infections, cryptococcal meningitis, and prevention of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. The 150 mg single-dose for vaginal thrush is the most common use in community practice.
How does Diflucan work?
Fluconazole inhibits the fungal enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), which is essential for the synthesis of ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane. Without adequate ergosterol, the cell membrane becomes permeable and unstable, leading to cell death. Fluconazole is well-absorbed orally with excellent bioavailability (over 90%), and it distributes widely throughout body tissues and fluids, making it effective for both superficial and systemic fungal infections.
How do I take Diflucan for thrush?
For vaginal thrush: take a single 150 mg capsule with water. It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Symptoms usually begin to improve within 24 hours and typically resolve within 1–3 days. For oral thrush: the usual dose is 50–100 mg once daily for 7–14 days. For recurrent thrush (4 or more episodes per year): your doctor may prescribe 150 mg every 72 hours for three doses, followed by 150 mg once weekly for up to 6 months.
What are the side effects of Diflucan?
Common side effects include headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Rash and elevated liver enzymes are less common. Serious but rare side effects include severe liver toxicity (seek urgent help for jaundice, dark urine, persistent nausea), severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), and QT prolongation (particularly at high doses or with interacting drugs). For the single-dose 150 mg thrush treatment, side effects are generally mild and infrequent.
Can I take Diflucan during pregnancy?
The single 150 mg dose of fluconazole for vaginal thrush should be avoided during pregnancy. High-dose fluconazole in pregnancy has been associated with birth defects. MHRA guidance advises against using oral fluconazole in pregnancy. Topical clotrimazole (pessary or cream) is the recommended first-line treatment for vaginal thrush during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss thrush treatment with your midwife or doctor.
Does Diflucan interact with other medications?
Fluconazole is a potent inhibitor of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes, leading to significant drug interactions. It increases levels of warfarin (INR monitoring essential), statins (increased risk of muscle damage), certain benzodiazepines, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, and some calcium channel blockers. It can prolong the QT interval when combined with other QT-prolonging drugs. Always inform your prescriber or pharmacist of all current medications before taking fluconazole.
How can I get Diflucan?
Diflucan 150 mg (single capsule) is available over the counter from pharmacies for women aged 16–60 with a previous diagnosis of vaginal thrush. For other indications, doses, or recurrent thrush treatment, a prescription from your GP or online service like NowPatient is needed.
Experienced a Side Effect?
Report to Yellow Card (UK) or MedWatch (US)
Report to
OUR CUSTOMERS VIEW
What Customers Love About Our Service
We want everyone to be happy and healthy, that’s what keeps us going. Read what some of them have to say about us.
Medicines Experts
Meet Our Medical Team
We are a broad skilled and passionate group of clinicians with experience of operating in health systems in the United Kingdom & United States. Providing excellent care and advice is at the heart of everything we do. You can read more about our medical team by visiting the medical team page or learn more about how we curate content by visiting our editorial process
Ihtesham Sabri
Medical Director
Ketan Patel
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Navin Khosla
Pharmacist
Aseel Hamoud Bedan
Hospital Consultant
Jamie Winn
Pharmacist
Rajive Patel
Medical Writer
Daniel Cheung
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Monica Khosla
Medical Writer
Stefano Mirabello
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
DeLon Canterbury
Pharmacist
Amish Patel
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber