KEY POINTS
- Fluconazole (Diflucan) is an Azole derivative antifungal drug that works by interfering with ergosterol synthesis, which is the principal sterol in the fungal cell membrane
- Exhibits fungistatic activity versus mosts yeasts, but has fungicidal activity versus many moulds
- Is a corner-stone in the management of Candida infections
- Beware resistance in Candida glabrata, which may be sensitive, dose-dependent sensitive (DDS), or resistant
- Candida krusei is inherently resistant to fluconazole
- Other Candida species can have fluconazole resistance. Beware this in particular with patients who have a prolonged history of fluconazole exposure or who are being treated at institutions with a history of fluconazole-resistant Candida.
- Available oral or injectable – a good drug to watch for IV to PO transition
- Due to excellent bioavailability, fluconazole oral has been used to treat candidemia (i.e., a Candida bloodstream infection) – most oral drugs are not suitable for oral use with a bloodstream infection
- Doses vary greatly depending on indication, from 150mg once to 800mg or more daily
- Adjust doses for renal dysfunction
- Beware drug-drug interactions via inhibition of CYP: 1A2, 2C19, 2C9 and 3A4
- Beware hepatotoxicity and increases in AST/ALT
RESOURCES
- Fluconazole Package Insert (oral and injectable)
- IDSA Candidemia Guideline (2016)
- Guidelines For Opportunistic Infections From AIDSinfo
- 2015 CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases Guideline (2015)
- Pharmacology Of Systemic Antifungal Agents (2006)
- Current Concepts In Antifungal Pharmacology (2011)
- Core Recommendations for Antifungal Stewardship: A Statement of the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium (2020)