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diclofenac vs fluconazole

Side-by-side comparison of diclofenac and fluconazole. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Although not specifically studied, fluconazole has the potential to increase the systemic exposure of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are metabolized by CYP2C9 (e.g., naproxen, lornoxicam, meloxicam, diclofenac).

Recommendation: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of diclofenac to prevent side effects.

Drug Class
diclofenac Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
fluconazole Azole Antifungal
Type
diclofenac Over-the-Counter
fluconazole Prescription
Summary
diclofenac

Diclofenac is a gel that helps with arthritis pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.

fluconazole

Fluconazole is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by fungus.

What It Treats
diclofenac

This medicine temporarily relieves arthritis pain. It is only for pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It may take up to 7 days to start working. If you still have pain after 7 days, stop using it.

fluconazole

Fluconazole treats vaginal yeast infections. It also treats yeast infections in the mouth and esophagus. Fluconazole can also treat urinary tract infections, peritonitis, systemic Candida infections, and pneumonia. It can also treat cryptococcal meningitis. Fluconazole can also prevent candidiasis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

How It Works
diclofenac

Diclofenac is an NSAID. It reduces pain and swelling by blocking substances in the body that cause inflammation.

fluconazole

Fluconazole works by stopping the growth of fungi. It blocks the fungus from producing a substance it needs to grow. This helps to clear up the infection.

Common Side Effects
diclofenac
  • Pain
  • Headache
fluconazole
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
FAERS Reports
diclofenac
  • Pain 12,281
  • Tiredness 11,317
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 9,240
  • Rash 8,747
  • Joint pain 8,640
fluconazole
  • Fever 4,121
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 3,695
  • Loose stools 3,536
  • Feeling tired 3,152
  • Discomfort 3,121
Serious Warnings
diclofenac

No specific warnings noted.

fluconazole

Coadministration of other drugs known to prolong the QT interval and which are metabolized via the enzyme CYP3A4 such as erythromycin, pimozide, and quinidine are contraindicated in patients receiving fluconazole.

Pregnancy
diclofenac

No pregnancy information available.

fluconazole

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluconazole may not be safe for your baby. Talk to your doctor about breastfeeding while taking fluconazole.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This diclofenac vs fluconazole Comparison

diclofenac is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while fluconazole sits within the Azole Antifungal class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, diclofenac has 50,225 submissions while fluconazole has 17,625. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to fluconazole blocks the liver protein that normally clears diclofenac, causing the pain medicine to build up in your system.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between diclofenac and fluconazole - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.