Diflucan (Fluconazole) During Pregnancy

Diflucan (Fluconazole) During Pregnancy


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Diflucan and Pregnancy

During childbearing the woman should not take even safe at first glance, medications, which do not have toxic effects on the body, especially without a doctor's prescription. This is due to the fact that in this time metabolism and hormones are changed, and these factors can change bodily reactions to any medications.

Diflucan: Effect During Pregnancy

This drug (international name fluconazole) is an antifungal agent that have a devastating effect on the cells of fungi sensitive to it: substances contained in it inhibit the synthesis of a number of products necessary for the life of the pathogenic flora, which leads to the death of the latter.

It is worth noting that "Diflucan" is one of the most effective drugs, its significant advantage is a wide spectrum of antifungal activity. Most pathogenic fungi show a sensitivity to it, including microorganisms, provoking severe infections, for example, cryptococcosis, skin fungal infections, including deep mycosis (microsporia, trichophytia), candidosis. Like all medicines, "Diflucan" has its contraindications and side effects.

Indications for Use

  • Cryptococcosis, including meningitis and infections with other localization;
  • Prevention of the recurrence of cryptococcosis in people with immunodeficiency;
  • Generalized candidosis;
  • Candidosis of mucous membranes;
  • Acute and chronic vaginal candidosis;
  • Genital candidosis;
  • Mycosis of skin;
  • Heavy endemic mycosis, which tend to spread;
  • As the prevention of fungal infections in the treatment of cancer using chemo-and radiation therapy (high probability of intensifying of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms).

The drug is produced in the form of solution, suspension for oral administration and in capsules with different amount of fluconazole. The capsules are administered in different doses depending on the severity of the disease. For example, cryptococcosis and generalized infection involve 400 mg of the drug in the first day of therapy and 200-400 in the next.

The length of the course depends on the effectiveness of fluconazole. "Diflucan" during pregnancy tends to be prescribed in the minimum effective dose. This also applies to the duration of the treatment-it should be kept to a minimum.

Dosage

Diflucan (Fluconazole) During Pregnancy 1

With thrush on the mucous membranes, except vagina, the daily dose is usually not more than 100 mg, and the duration of treatment is ranging from 1 to 4 weeks. For thrush in the vagina a single dose in the amount of 150 mg is prescribed. To prevent recurrence of the disease in the future, the doctor prescribes one capsule (150 mg), a course may last about a year.

For skin infections, chromophytosis daily dose is 50 mg, the duration of therapy is from 2 to 6 weeks. There are alternative schemes of application: infections of the skin 150 mg from 1 up to 4 times a week, with chromophytosis 300 mg from 1 to 3 times per week.

Fungal nail infection requires intake of "Diflucan" once a week for 3-12 months.

It is worth noting that heavy endemic mycosis is treated long enough-up to 2 years and requires receiving very large doses up to 400 mg daily. It is worth noting that this drug can be used in the treatment of children. For example, to treat a thrush the remedy is prescribed of 3 mg per 1 kg of weight of the baby. On the first day of therapy, the dose can be doubled. With generalized candidosis and cryptococcous infections 6-12 mg/day should be administered. Virtually the same doses are applied to children with reduced immunity to prevent fungal disease.

Treatment by "Diflucan" is possible in the case of the disease in newborns. "Diflucan" should be administered in the same doses as to the older children, but the scheme of intake is different: up to the age of 2 weeks-1 intake in 3 days; ranging in age from 2 weeks to a month-1 intake in 2 days.

Contraindications

  • Individual intolerance of any components of the medication;
  • Lactation. In this case, breastfeeding while taking medications is stopped;
  • The simultaneous use of drugs that can disrupt heart rhythm (i.e. cisapride-the drug activating the peristalsis of the intestine), and some antihistaminic drugs (i.e. terfenadine);
  • It should be carefully administered during pregnancy, dysfunctions of the liver and heart rhythm.

Can I Drink Diflucan During Pregnancy?

Diflucan (Fluconazole) During Pregnancy 2

To give a definite "Yes" or "No" is difficult, as no research among this category of patients has been carried out. However, there were some laboratory tests on animals. They were performed in line with relevant international rules and no contraindications to the use of this drug by pregnant have been found.

But because the tests were not conducted, safeness of the drug during pregnancy has not been proven. In medicine have described cases of teratogenic effects of the drug, which manifested themselves as multiple congenital malformations in newborns.

However, this happened only with long-term (over several months) treatment by fluconazole-the main active ingredient of "Diflucan". There have been severe fungal infections, requiring high doses of medication. But a clear link between congenital anomalies of development and application of fluconazole has failed to be proven.

The instructions given to the drug indicate that it should be taken during gestation only when there is a threat to the life of the pregnant woman. For example, an urgent need arises with the development of fungal meningitis, severe damage by fungi, deep mycosis, generalized skin candidosis (damage of all the systems and organs), etc.

All of these diseases pose a great danger not only to women but also to the fetus, as the risk of its infection is very high. The instruction indicates that the drug is not recommended for pregnant women, except in severe cases, which potentially threaten life, when the expected benefits of fluconazole is higher than a risk to the fetus.

With the fungal damage with easy passage, for example, well-known thrush during pregnancy it is better to prescribe other medicines that are fully allowed for intake during this period (i.e."Pimafuzin").

Side Effects of Taking Fluconazole

The drug can cause the following negative consequences:

  • Headaches;
  • Vertigo;
  • Changes of taste;
  • Ballism;
  • Nausea and vomiting;
  • Loose stool;
  • Flatulence, abdominal discomfort;
  • Dysfunctions of the liver, heart rhythm, blood coagulation system (reduction in the number of platelets and leukocytes);
  • Hair loss; Metabolic disorders;
  • Allergic reactions.

It is worth noting that in no event you should independently drink any antifungal drugs, even if the doctor had already once prescribed them.

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