Each capsule of Fluconazole 150 mg contains:

active ingredient: fluconazole – 150 mg;

excipients: lactose monohydrate, ethylcellulose.

Mechanism of action

Fluconazole usually is fungistatic in action. Fluconazole and other triazole-derivative antifungal agents appear to have a mechanism of action similar to that of the imidazole-derivative antifungal agents. Like imidazoles, fluconazole presumably exerts its antifungal activity by altering cellular membranes resulting in increased membrane permeability, leakage of essential elements, and impaired uptake of precursor molecules. Although the exact mechanism of action of fluconazole and other triazoles has not been fully determined, the drugs inhibit cytochrome P-450 14-α-desmethylase in susceptible fungi, which leads to accumulation of C-14 methylated sterols (e.g., lanosterol) and decreased concentrations of ergosterol. It appears that this may occur because a nitrogen atom (N-4) in the triazole molecule binds to the heme iron of cytochrome P-450 14-α-desmethylase in susceptible fungi. Unlike some imidazoles that suppress ATP concentrations in intact cells and spheroplasts of C. albicans, fluconazole does not appear to have an appreciable effect on ATP concentrations in the organism. It is unclear whether this effect is related to the in vivo antifungal effects of the drugs. Fluconazole generally is fungistatic against Candida albicans when the organism is in either the stationary or early logarithmic phase of growth.

Antimicrobial Action

Fluconazole is a triazole antifungal drug which in sensitive fungi inhibits cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes, resulting in impairment of ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes. It is active against Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida spp., Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Epidermophyton spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Microsporum spp., and Trichophyton spp.

Resistance has developed in some Candida spp. following long-term prophylaxis with fluconazole, and cross-resistance with other azoles has been reported.

Microbiological interactions. A synergistic antifungal effect was seen in vitro with terbinafine and fluconazole against strains of Candida albicans.

Fluconazole is well absorbed following oral administration, bioavailability from the oral route being 90% or more of that from the intravenous route. Mean peak plasma concentrations of 6.72 micrograms/mL have been reported in healthy subjects after a 400-mg oral dose. Peak concentrations are reached within 1 to 2 hours of oral administration. Plasma concentrations are proportional to the dose over a range of 50 to 400 mg. Multiple dosing leads to increases in peak plasma concentrations; steady-state concentrations are reached in 5 to 10 days but may be attained on day 2 if a loading dose is given.

Fluconazole is widely distributed and the apparent volume of distribution is close to that of total body water. Concentrations in breast milk, joint fluid, saliva, sputum, vaginal fluids, and peritoneal fluid are similar to those achieved in plasma. Concentrations in the CSF range from 50 to 90% of plasma concentrations, even in the absence of meningeal inflammation. Protein binding is only about 12%. About 80% of a dose is excreted unchanged in the urine and about 11% as metabolites. The elimination half-life of fluconazole is about 30 hours and is increased in patients with renal impairment. Fluconazole is removed by dialysis.

In adult

• Fluconazole 150 mg by mouth as a single dose may be used for vaginal candidiasis or candidal balanitis.

In children

• Despite extensive data supporting the use of Fluconazole in children there are limited data available on the use of Fluconazole for genital candidiasis in children below 16 years. Use at present is not recommended unless antifungal treatment is imperative and no suitable alternative agent exists.

Use in elderly

• The normal adult dose should be used.

Use in renal impairment

• Fluconazole is excreted predominantly in the urine as unchanged drug. No adjustments in single dose therapy are required.

Symptoms: hearing loss, severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Treatment: gastric lavage, general supportive measures.

Although serious adverse hepatic effects have been reported only rarely with fluconazole, the possibility that these effects may occur during fluconazole therapy should be considered. Fluconazole therapy should be discontinued if signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop. If abnormal liver function test results occur during fluconazole therapy, the patient should be monitored for the development of more severe hepatic injury.

Fluconazole should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function. Abnormalities in haematological, hepatic, and renal-function tests have been observed in patients with serious underlying diseases such as AIDS or malignancy. Cases of torsade de pointes and QT prolongation have been reported rarely and caution is advised when giving fluconazole to patients with proarrhythmic conditions.

Use of fluconazole may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible strains of Candida other than C. albicans, including C. krusei. Superinfection caused by nonsusceptible strains of Candida has been reported in some patients receiving fluconazole; these patients may require alternative antifungal therapy.

Pregnancy: Fluconazole should be avoided during pregnancy.

Lactation: Fluconazole is distributed into breast milk, achieving concentrations similar to those found in maternal plasma, and its use in women who are breast feeding is not recommended.

Skin reactions are rare but exfoliative cutaneous reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have occurred, more commonly in patients with AIDS.

Fluconazole is contraindicated in patients with acute porphyria.

The use of fluconazole with astemizole, cisapride, or terfenadine should therefore be avoided because of the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

Use of rifampicin with fluconazole results in reduced plasma concentrations of fluconazole. Use of hydrochlorothiazide and fluconazole has resulted in clinically insignificant increases in plasma-fluconazole concentrations.

Fluconazole may interfere with the metabolism of some drugs if given concomitantly, mainly through inhibition of the cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. This may account for the reported increases in plasma concentrations of bosentan, ciclosporin, midazolam, nortriptyline, phenytoin, rifabutin, sulfonylurea hypoglycaemics and nateglinide, selective cyclo-oxygenase-2-inhibitors such as celecoxib and parecoxib, tacrolimus, triazolam, warfarin, and zidovudine; fluconazole may inhibit the formation of a toxic metabolite of sulfamethoxazole.

Increases in terfenadine concentrations following high doses of fluconazole have been associated with ECG abnormalities. A similar effect may be anticipated with astemizole. Use of fluconazole with cisapride could result in increased cisapride concentrations and associated toxicity. The use of fluconazole with astemizole, cisapride, or terfenadine should therefore be avoided because of the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

Fluconazole may also reduce the clearance of theophylline. The concentration of contraceptive steroids has been reported to be both increased and decreased in patients receiving fluconazole and the efficacy of oral contraceptives may be affected.

Appearance of capsule: the capsules have a white body and a white cap.
Appearance of granules: white or off white with tints of pink granules.

1 blister packet with 10 capsules in the cardboard box.

3 years. Do not use after the expiration date.

To be dispensed with prescription.

Store at a room temperature (15-25⁰C), in a dry place, out of the reach of children. Protect from light.