Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Diflucan.
Allergies: Be cautious in taking fluconazole if you are allergic to other "azoles" such as ketoconazole or itraconazole. If you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, seek immediate medical attention.
Driving and operating heavy machinery: Fluconazole may occasionally cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Diflucan affects you.
Kidney function: Decreased kidney function or Kidney Disease can cause Diflucan to build up in the body, causing side effects. People with kidney disease or reduced kidney function should discuss with their doctor how Diflucan may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diflucan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver damage: In rare cases, Diflucan may cause liver damage in people with serious medical conditions. Your doctor may monitor you with regular blood tests to check for side effects while you are taking fluconazole. If you notice signs of liver damage such as abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark or amber urine, or pale stools, contact your doctor right away.
QT prolongation: In rare cases, Diflucan can affect the electrical activity of the heart and cause a condition known as QT prolongation. Your doctor will monitor your heart rhythm regularly while you are taking Diflucan with a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG). You should not take Diflucan if your ECG already shows that you have QT prolongation or if you are taking a medication that can cause QT prolongation.
Pregnancy: Diflucan should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Diflucan, contact your doctor immediately. Women who take fluconazole and who may become pregnant should consider using adequate birth control. Birth control should be continued for at least 1 week after taking the last dose of fluconazole.
Breast-feeding: Diflucan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking fluconazole, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Diflucan has been shown to be safe and effective for children over 6 months of age. Although the safety and effectiveness of Diflucan have not been determined for newborns less than 6 months of age, a small number of babies have been safely treated with fluconazole.