Fluconazole

Fluconazole 150mg is a single-dose antifungal capsule used to treat vaginal thrush in women. Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast called Candida albicans, which naturally lives in the body but can multiply out of control when the body's natural balance is disrupted — for example, after a course of antibiotics, during hormonal changes, or due to a weakened immune system. Fluconazole works by damaging the cell membrane of the Candida fungus, causing holes to form so that the contents of the fungal cells leak out — effectively killing the fungus and allowing the infection to clear. The generic fluconazole capsule is the equivalent of branded Canesten Oral, but at a lower cost. It is suitable for women and young people aged 16 to 60 and can be prescribed quickly and discreetly through Access Doctor following a short online consultation.

Fluconazole gets to work quickly after taking a single capsule. Most women start to feel noticeably more comfortable within 1 to 2 days of taking it, with symptoms such as itching, soreness, and discharge typically resolving within 7 days. If your symptoms haven't improved within 7 days of taking fluconazole, speak to your GP as you may need a different treatment or further investigation to rule out another cause for your symptoms.

Fluconazole for vaginal thrush is taken as a single 150mg capsule — just one tablet is all that is needed to treat the infection. Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water. You can take it with or without food and at any time of day. Do not crush or chew the capsule. That's it — there is no course to complete or multiple doses to remember. If your thrush comes back after 7 days, a second capsule can be taken — but if you experience thrush more than twice within 6 months, speak to your doctor for further investigation and advice.

It is important to be confident you have thrush before treating it, as other conditions can cause similar symptoms. The most common symptoms of vaginal thrush include an intense itching or soreness around the vagina and vulva, a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge that does not have a strong smell, redness and swelling of the vulva, and stinging or discomfort when urinating or during sex. If you have an unusual or fishy-smelling discharge, sores or blisters, pelvic pain, or you are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by thrush, speak to your GP or attend a sexual health clinic before taking fluconazole, as these may indicate a different condition.

Because fluconazole is taken as a single dose for thrush, side effects are generally mild and short-lived. The most commonly reported ones include nausea, headache, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. Some women also experience dizziness — if you feel dizzy after taking fluconazole, avoid driving or operating machinery until it has passed. In rare cases, a more serious allergic reaction can occur, with symptoms such as a skin rash, swelling of the face or lips, or difficulty breathing — if this happens, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Fluconazole contains lactose, so if you have a known lactose intolerance, speak to your doctor before taking it.

If you experience thrush regularly, a longer course of fluconazole may be prescribed to help prevent it from coming back. A common approach for recurrent thrush is to take 150mg every 72 hours for three doses, followed by a weekly 150mg dose for 6 months. This is known as a suppression or maintenance regime and is designed to keep Candida levels under control over a longer period. If you have had thrush more than twice in 6 months, speak to your clinician at Access Doctor, who can assess whether a recurrent thrush treatment plan is right for you and whether any underlying causes need to be investigated.

Fluconazole can be used on its own or alongside external topical treatments such as clotrimazole (Canesten) cream, which can be applied to the skin around the vagina to relieve external itching and soreness more quickly while the oral capsule works internally. The two treatments work together and are safe to use at the same time. Avoid using any other oral antifungal medicines alongside fluconazole unless specifically advised by your doctor.

Fluconazole can interact with certain medicines and it is important to tell your clinician at Access Doctor about all medicines you are currently taking before starting treatment. In particular, fluconazole can affect the way some blood thinners (such as warfarin), statins, blood sugar medications, and certain antibiotics work. It can also interact with some heart medications, antihistamines, and antidepressants. If you are taking any regular medication, always check with your clinician or pharmacist before taking fluconazole.

Fluconazole is not recommended during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, as some studies have suggested it may be associated with a small increased risk of miscarriage or birth defects when used at higher doses. If you are pregnant and have thrush, speak to your GP — a topical clotrimazole cream or pessary is generally considered the safest first-line treatment during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding and taking a single dose of fluconazole, it is generally considered acceptable, but you should not breastfeed if you are taking repeated doses. Always speak to your doctor before taking fluconazole while pregnant or breastfeeding.