Two medicines, side by side
Flucytosine vs fluconazole
Flucytosine and fluconazole are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of flucytosine since 1971 and of fluconazole since 1990. In FDA's classes, flucytosine is a nucleoside analog antifungal and fluconazole an azole antifungal.
Check it at the source: the flucytosine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 2, 2022); the fluconazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 7, 2026).
Highlights of the flucytosine record
Flucytosine (Ancobon) · label of February 2, 2022
Use with extreme caution in patients with impaired renal function. Close monitoring of hematologic, renal and hepatic status of all patients is essential. These instructions should be thoroughly reviewed before administration of ANCOBON.
Used for
From the label: indicationsANCOBON is indicated only in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible strains of Candida and/or Cryptococcus. Candida: Septicemia, endocarditis and urinary system infections have been effectively treated with flucytosine. Limited trials in pulmonary infections justify the use of flucytosine. Cryptococcus: Meningitis and pulmonary infections have been treated effectively. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 26, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 9 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the fluconazole record
Fluconazole (Diflucan) · label of April 7, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFluconazole tablets are indicated for the treatment of: Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections due to Candida ). Oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 29, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 41 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.380 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 18
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Flucytosine label of February 2, 2022, Fluconazole label of April 7, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do flucytosine and fluconazole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, flucytosine is a nucleoside analog antifungal and fluconazole an azole antifungal.
Half-life, in each label's words: Flucytosine, “The half-life in the majority of healthy subjects ranged between 2.4 and 4.8 hours.”; Fluconazole, “Peak plasma concentrations (C max ) in fasted normal volunteers occur between 1 and 2 hours with a terminal plasma …”
Only the flucytosine label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: flucytosine since 2011; fluconazole since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Flucytosine | Fluconazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Nucleoside Analog Antifungal | Azole Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life in the majority of healthy subjects ranged between 2.4 and 4.8 hours. | Peak plasma concentrations (C max ) in fasted normal volunteers occur between 1 and 2 hours with a terminal plasma elimination half-life of approximately 30 hours (range: 20 to 50 hours) after oral administration. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 26, 1971 | January 29, 1990 |
| First generic approved | June 28, 2011 | July 29, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 9 labelers | 41 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.380 per tablet (Fluconazole 200 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,369 | 69,671 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to flucytosine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions