What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Diflucan One. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your pharmacist or doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Diflucan One against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Diflucan One is used for
Diflucan One is used to treat vaginal thrush, a yeast infection of the vagina.
Diflucan One belongs to a group of medicines called azole antibiotics.
When taken by mouth, Diflucan One works by preventing the growth of the fungal organisms causing your infection.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why Diflucan One has been recommended for you.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
What is vaginal thrush
Vaginal thrush is a fungal infection of the vagina caused by the yeast named Candida albicans.
When you have vaginal thrush you may have one or more of these common symptoms:
- vaginal itching
- vaginal soreness
- pain during intercourse
- a white, odourless, discharge from the vagina (like cottage cheese)
Rubbing and scratching can aggravate the soreness and itching. Also, the salt of urine can sting the sore tissue.
Things that may help you avoid thrush in the future
Wear cotton briefs, stockings and loose-fitting clothing rather than tight synthetic clothing.
Wash regularly but do not wash and dry yourself harshly.
Avoid perfumed soaps, bath additives and vaginal deodorants.
Before you take Diflucan One
When you must not take it
Do not take Diflucan One if you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Do not take Diflucan One if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing fluconazole
- any other similar antifungals such as miconazole, ketoconazole or clotrimazole
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take Diflucan One if you are taking cisapride (a medicine used to treat stomach problems).
Do not take this medicine if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the packaging has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should take this medicine, talk to your doctor/ pharmacist.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other health problems, including:
- any liver problems
- any heart problems.
- any kidney problems
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:
- had thrush more than twice in the last 6 months
Tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Diflucan One if you are taking warfarin as bleeding or bruising may occur.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are experiencing any of the following:
- abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding or blood stained discharge
- vulval or vaginal sores, ulcers or blisters
- lower abdominal pain or burning when passing urine
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Diflucan One.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Diflucan may interfere with each other. These include:
- some medicines for diabetes such as glimepiride, gliclazide, glipizide, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone or glibenclamide
- phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy)
- warfarin (used to stop blood clots)
Your doctor and pharmacist will have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Diflucan One.
How to take Diflucan One
Follow all directions given to you by your pharmacist carefully. If you do not understand the instructions on the box ask your pharmacist for help.
Diflucan One is not recommended for children.
How much to take
The Diflucan One treatment for thrush is one capsule.
How to take it
Swallow the capsule whole with water.
When to take it
Diflucan One can be taken at any time of the day.
If does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the National Poisons Information Centre (telephone Australia 13 11 26) for advice if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Diflucan One. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking Diflucan One
Things you must do
Tell your doctor, if the symptoms of your infection do not improve within 3 days, or if they become worse.
Things you must not do
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition / symptoms as you.
Do not use Diflucan One to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you have taken Diflucan One.
This medicine helps most people with vaginal thrush, but it may have a few unwanted effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following symptoms and they worry you:
- nausea or feeling sick
- headache
- stomach pain
- indigestion
- diarrhoea
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
- asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath
- sudden or severe itching, skin rash, hives
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, also called jaundice
These side effects are usually rare but can be serious and need urgent medical attention.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may also occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.
After using Diflucan One
Storage
Keep your medicine in its original pack until it is time to take it.
If you take it out of the pack it may not keep well.
Keep Diflucan One capsules in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store your medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your medicine where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If this medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Diflucan One pack contains one light turquoise blue, opaque capsule marked with FLU-150 and Pfizer.
Ingredients
Active ingredient
150 mg fluconazole / capsule.
Other ingredients
lactose, maize starch, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, the colours titanium dioxide and patent blue, and a gelatin capsule shell.
Supplier
Diflucan One is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare
ABN 5000 8422 348
32 Cawarra Road
CARINGBAH NSW 2229
Tel: 1800 648 975
Australian Registration Numbers:
Diflucan One 150 mg;
AUST R 100956
This leaflet was prepared on
26 August 2005