fluconazole
Brand names: Diflucan
Fluconazole is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by fungus.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$1.09/unit
Generic Price
$0.24/unit
Generic Savings
78%
Generic Available
Yes (14 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Fluconazole treats vaginal yeast infections.
Common side effects
Headache, Nausea, Abdominal pain
Key warnings
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.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take fluconazole exactly as your doctor tells you. For vaginal yeast infections, you usually take a single 150 mg dose. For other infections, your doctor will determine the right dose for you. You can take fluconazole with or without food. Keep taking it until your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel better.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store fluconazole tablets at room temperature (68° to 77°F).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 35,476 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 67,703 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1999–2025.
Total Reports
67,703
Death-Related Reports
12,178
Hospitalization Reports
29,753
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 4,934 |
| 2 | OFF LABEL USE | 4,329 |
| 3 | PYREXIA | 4,121 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 3,697 |
| 5 | DIARRHOEA | 3,538 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 3,151 |
| 7 | PAIN | 3,123 |
| 8 | DRUG INTERACTION | 2,934 |
| 9 | PNEUMONIA | 2,851 |
| 10 | HEADACHE | 2,807 |
| 11 | FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA | 2,661 |
| 12 | RASH | 2,404 |
| 13 | DYSPNOEA | 2,362 |
| 14 | VOMITING | 2,329 |
| 15 | DEATH | 2,137 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
(See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Drug Interaction Studies .) Pimozide : Although not studied in vitro or in vivo , concomitant administration of fluconazole with pimozide may result in inhibition of pimozide metabolism. Increased pimozide plasma concentrations can lead to QT prolongation and rare occurrences of torsade de pointes. Coadministration of fluconazole and pimozide is contraindicated.
Mechanism: Fluconazole slows down how your body breaks down pimozide, which can cause the drug to build up and lead to dangerous heart rhythm problems.
What to do: This combination is not allowed and should be avoided entirely.
Fluconazole No Dose Adjustment Fluconazole: [see Pharmacokinetics ( 12.3 )] Anti-Gout Agents: Colchicine (in patients with renal or hepatic impairment) Contraindicated Colchicine: Colchicine is a substrate for both CYP3A and the efflux transporter, P-glycoprotein (Pgp).
Mechanism: These two drugs do not significantly affect each other's levels in the body.
What to do: No dose adjustments are necessary when taking these medications at the same time.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • CYP3A Inhibitors: In post-MI HFrEF patients, do not exceed 25 mg once daily when used with moderate CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., verapamil, erythromycin, saquinavir, fluconazole).
Mechanism: Fluconazole blocks the enzyme that clears eplerenone from your body, which can lead to higher levels of the drug in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor should lower your eplerenone dose to a maximum of 25 mg once daily.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors : The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis increases when fluconazole is coadministered with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors metabolized through CYP3A4, such as atorvastatin and simvastatin, or through CYP2C9, such as fluvastatin.
Mechanism: Fluconazole changes how your body processes atorvastatin, which can lead to a dangerous buildup and cause muscle damage.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage or monitor you closely for muscle pain and weakness.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors : The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis increases when fluconazole is coadministered with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors metabolized through CYP3A4, such as atorvastatin and simvastatin, or through CYP2C9, such as fluvastatin.
Mechanism: Fluconazole blocks the enzyme that breaks down simvastatin, causing the cholesterol medicine to build up in your body. This increases the risk of serious muscle damage.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your medication or monitor you closely for muscle pain.
Common Questions
What should I do if I feel sick while taking fluconazole?
Can I drink alcohol while taking fluconazole?
How long does it take for fluconazole to work?
Can I drive while taking fluconazole?
What if my symptoms come back after I finish taking fluconazole?
Is fluconazole the same as Diflucan?
Can I buy fluconazole over the counter?
Does fluconazole interact with other medications?
Can fluconazole cause liver problems?
What do the numbers on the pill mean?
What are the common side effects of fluconazole?
Does fluconazole interact with other medications?
What drug class is fluconazole?
Is there a generic version of fluconazole?
Is fluconazole safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Azole Antifungal
Other drugs grouped near fluconazole — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acyclovir
Zovirax
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine.
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albendazole
Albenza
Albendazole is a medicine that fights parasites.
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amphotericin B
Ambisome, Fungizone
Amphotericin B liposome is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with fluconazole →
anidulafungin
Eraxis
Eraxis is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with fluconazole →
atovaquone/proguanil
Malarone
Malarone is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
Compare with fluconazole →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for fluconazole
The FDA label for fluconazole (sold under brand names such as Diflucan) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Azole Antifungal class. Fluconazole treats vaginal yeast infections. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Headache, Nausea, Abdominal pain.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 35,476 voluntary reports. The database also lists 67 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.24 versus $1.09 for the brand — a 78% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 17, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages