Diflucan

Diflucan is an oral drug used in treatment of vaginitis and balanitis caused by Candida albicans, as well as cutaneous mycoses (tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris and pityriasis versicolor).

In adults, the treatment of candidiasis of the genital mucous membranes is carried out with tabets administered by mouth. Therapy includes a dosage of 150 mg administered in a single dose. For candidiasis affecting other mucous membranes (for example, mouth and pharynx) 50-100 mg per day are required for 7-14 days. In children the posology varies according to weight and age.

The treatment of tinea corporis and cruris and pityriasis versicolor usually involves 50 mg a day for 2-4 weeks, to last up to 6 in the case of tinea pedis. Doses should be reduced in the presence of severe impairment of kidney function.

Diflucan is taken with a sufficient amount of water, following the doctor’s instructions.

Fluconazole performs its activity by interfering with the synthesis of ergosterol. Ergosterol is a sterol that forms the plasma membrane of fungal cells; fluconazole is able to reduce its production by inhibiting a key enzyme involved in its synthesis: 14α-demethylase. By inhibiting this enzyme, there is an accumulation of ergosterol precursors inside the fungal cell.

The ergosterol precursors, when they reach too high levels in the cell, become toxic for the cell itself and cause alterations in the permeability of the cell membrane and in the functioning of the proteins contained in it. The fungal cell is thus condemned to certain death.

Following oral administration, fluconazole is almost completely absorbed within two hours. Bioavailability is not significantly affected by gastric pH. The elimination half-life of fluconazole follows zero order kinetics. 10% of the excreted fraction has undergone metabolism while the remainder is eliminated as such with urine or sweat. Patients with kidney failure are at risk of overdoses. The half-life of the drug is estimated at mean 30 hours with the arch of 20-50 hours, being a subject to individual characteristics of patients.

Diflucan is metabolised mainly by the enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C19. In case of concomitant administration with benzodiazepines, a prolongation and an enhancement of the hypnotic effect of these drugs may occur, due to a reduction of their hepatic metabolism and to the persistence in circulation of high levels of active ingredient for a longer time. This interaction is well documented, for example, for tioconazole (eg Sporanox), fluconazole (eg Diflucan) and ketoconazole (Nizoral) when taken in conjunction with triazolam (eg Halcion) and alprazolam (eg Xanax and generics), and it results in a prolongation of the psychomotor effects, while in the case of chlordiazepoxide (Librium) there is a significant reduction, but not significant from the clinical point of view, of the drug clearance.

In the case of concomitant prescription of an azole antifungal and a benzodiazepine it is therefore necessary to evaluate the opportunity to reduce the dosage of the latter. The patient must be warned that prolonged sedation may occur and that he must consequently avoid getting behind the wheel or handling equipment that requires concentration.

During treatment with fluconazole side effects may occur. The most common side effects listed for Diflucan are:

• nausea
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• flatulence
• headache
• rash (in the latter case, consult your doctor)

This drug should be used with caution in the presence of severe abnormal kidney function and should preferably be avoided during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Triazole antifungals, such as fluconazole, can interfere with numerous drugs. To avoid problems, it is important to report all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbal products and supplements you are taking or would like to use to your doctor. In particular, avoid the association with analgesic and antacid drugs.

The use of Diflucan is not recommended in the subcategories of patients outlined below:

• In individuals with known hypersensitivity to fluconazole or excipients in Diflucan;
• In individuals with previously established hypersensitivity to other azole-type antifungals (such as, for example, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, etc.);
• In individuals who are already being treated with astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine or erythromycin.

Furthermore, fluconazole is generally contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Diflucan is a highly popular medication, the first line drug in its field of application, and it has been around for several decades, which has inevitably rendered the pill omnipresent. Generic versions off Diflucan can be found under almost 700 names, and while we cannot list all of them here for practical reasons, we have prepared a list of the most reliable laboratories manufacturing high quality flucanozole for you to choose from:

• Acroflu – Acron Pharmaceuticals
• Acroflu – Acron Pharmaceuticals
• Acroflu – Acron Pharmaceuticals
• Afuza – ASSURE LIFESCIENCE PVT. LTD.
• Anti Fung – Malachite Gold Laboratories (P) Ltd.
• Bardflu – B.M. Medico (P) Ltd.
• Becet – Bewell Labs Pvt Ltd
• Bisflu – Globus Remedies Ltd.
• Candi – Rhombus Pharma Private Limited
• Candil – Health Guard (I) Pvt. Ltd.
• Candy – PPL Healthcare
• Cansis – BRD Medilabs
• Canika – Digital Vision Pvt. Ltd.
• Conaz – Agron Remedies Pvt. Ltd.
• Dermazole – Devbhoomi Pharmaceuticals
• Dexocan – Bionova
• Docon – Ceza Formulations Pvt.Ltd
• E Fluke – Ethics Health-Care Pvt. Ltd.
• EF Z – Altar Healthcare Pvt Ltd
• Eflzon – Elegant Drugs Pvt Ltd
• Etozole – Nexus Biotech
• F Zole – Ethix Health Care
• Fabizol – Unichem Laboratories Ltd.
• Fanna – Trugen Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd
• Fantizole – Taj Pharmaceuticals Ltd
• FCN – Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd.
• Flec – Daniel Pasteur
• Flu Z – Iscon Life Sciences
• Fluact – Active Healthcare
• Flucaz – Agio Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Flucozed – Zota Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd
• Flutel – Intel Pharmaceuticals
• Fluzide – CONCEPT PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.
• Fluzole – (Radicura) Radicura Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.
• FOD – Nostrum Pharmaceuticals
• Fungcure – Balsons Pharmaceuticals (Best Cure Pharma)
• Glenflu – Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Milieus)
• Gocan – Hetero Healthcare Ltd. (GenX)
• Kapifung – Godrams Lifeline
• Linican – Sarthi Life Sciences
• Magzol – Magnus Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
• M-Fluk- Madhav Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
• Nifox – N.B. Pharma
• Ocan – G Nine Pharmaceuticals
• Stofun – Sipra Remedies Pvt Ltd
• Triban F – Jenburkt Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Trucand – Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd (AHPL)
• Ultican – Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
• Zecon – Zee Laboratories Ltd.
• Zocol – Hallmark Formulations Pharmaceuticals

Diflucan is a prescription drug, since it comes with a list of contraindications and safety information to observe. Once you have ascertained, with the help of your healthcare provider, that you have a condition calling for the use of the drug and that you can take Diflucan without a risk for your health, you should consider your options as for where to buy Diflucan over the counter.

As a rule, Diflucan is available only with prescription at local pharmacies; its price is higher at brick-and-mortar pharmacy stores, too. In contrast, e-drugstores are prepared to deliver Diflucan to any country of the world after a minimal health check online carried out by a licensed specialist; the price of Diflucan online will also be at least 30% lower compared to any walk-in pharmacy. With antigunal preparations like Diflucan, this is all it takes to provide required patient safety.