Fluconazole
También conocido como: Diflucan
- **Patience is Key:** Fungal infections take a long time to clear. Treatment often lasts for several weeks to months. Do not stop the medication early even if your pet looks better, as the infection can relapse. - **Administration:** Fluconazole is very well absorbed whether given with food or on an empty stomach. - **Watch for Side Effects:** While generally very safe, watch for loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your veterinarian if these occur. - **Cost:** Because treatment is prolonged, the cost can add up, though generic options have made it more affordable.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Nasal or dermal cryptococcosis
- CNS, intraocular, or multisystemic cryptococcosis
- CNS, intraocular or multisystemic mycoses
- Cryptococcosis
- Cryptococcosis
- C. immitis infection or Candida bacteremia
- Fungal keratitis
- Candidiasis (cockatoos, parrots)
- Candidiasis (cockatiels)
- Alternate treatment of aspergillosis
- General (Rabbits)
- Cryptococcosis, candidiasis, systemic mycoses, nasal aspergillosis
- Fungal meningitis
- Urinary candidiasis
- Urinary Candida glabrata infection
- Cryptococcosis
- Blastomycosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Treatment of Malassezia (may be safer than itraconazole or ketoconazole in dogs with hepatic disease)
- Systemic treatment of Malassezia dermatitis
- Recurrent Malassezia dermatitis
- Systemic treatment of Malassezia dermatitis
- Nasal aspergillosis (alternative to itraconazole or terbinafine)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Inappetence
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hepatotoxicity (rare)
- Headache (humans)
- Increased liver enzymes (humans)
- Exfoliative skin disorders (humans)
- Thrombocytopenia (humans)
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Hepatotoxicity
Cautions & contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to fluconazole or other azole antifungals
- Budgerigars (reportedly toxic)
- Pregnant animals
- Lactating animals
- Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Because fluconazole is eliminated primarily by the kidneys, doses or dosing intervals may need to be adjusted in patients with renal impairment. Safety during pregnancy has not been established (FDA Category C); use with caution in nursing dams as it is excreted in milk. Reportedly toxic to budgerigars.
Drug interactions
- Amphotericin B: May be antagonistic against Aspergillus or Candida; clinical importance unclear
- Buspirone: Plasma concentrations of buspirone may be elevated
- Cisapride: May increase cisapride levels and the possibility for toxicity
- Corticosteroids: May inhibit the metabolism of corticosteroids; potential for increased adverse effects
- Cyclophosphamide: May inhibit the metabolism of cyclophosphamide and its metabolites; potential for increased toxicity
- Cyclosporine: Increases cyclosporine levels; dosage of cyclosporine may need to be decreased by 29%-51%
- Diuretics, Thiazides: Increased fluconazole concentrations
- Fentanyl/Alfentanil: May increase fentanyl levels
- Midazolam: Increased midazolam levels and effects
- NSAIDs: May increase NSAID plasma levels; increased risk for adverse effects
- Quinidine: Increased risk for cardiotoxicity
- Rifampin: May decrease fluconazole efficacy; fluconazole may increase rifampin levels
- Theophylline/Aminophylline: Increased theophylline concentrations
- Tricyclic Antidepressants: May exacerbate the effects of tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., clomipramine, amitriptyline)
- Sulfonylurea Antidiabetic Agents: May increase levels of agents like glipizide or glyburide; hypoglycemia possible
- Vincristine/Vinblastine: May inhibit vinca alkaloid metabolism
- Warfarin: May cause increased prothrombin times
- Theophylline: Fluconazole inhibits cytochrome P450-dependent liver enzymes, which may increase plasma theophylline concentrations.
- Terfenadine: Co-administration has led to terfenadine toxicity in humans.
- Ciclosporin: Fluconazole increases ciclosporin blood levels.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is Fluconazole used for in pets?
- Patience is Key: Fungal infections take a long time to clear. Treatment often lasts for several weeks to months. Do not stop the medication early even if your pet looks better, as the infection can relapse. - Administration: Fluconazole is very well absorbed whether given with food or on an empty stomach. - Watch for Side Effects: While generally very safe, watch for loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your veterinarian if these occur. - Cost: Because treatment is prolonged, the cost can add up, though generic options have made it more affordable.
Is Fluconazole safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Este artículo es educación general y no sustituye el consejo veterinario profesional. Si tu mascota está mal, consulta a un veterinario.
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