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(floo koe' na zole)
[Posted 11/17/2009] FDA notified healthcare professionals of new safety information concerning an interaction between clopidogrel (Plavix), an anti-clotting medication, and omeprazole (Prilosec/Prilosec OTC), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to reduce stomach acid. New data show that when clopidogrel and omeprazole are taken together, the effectiveness of clopidogrel is reduced. Patients at risk for heart attacks or strokes who use clopidogrel to prevent blood clots will not get the full effect of this medicine if they are also taking omeprazole. Separating the dose of clopidogrel and omeprazole in time will not reduce this drug interaction.
Other drugs that are expected to have a similar effect and should be avoided in combination with clopidogrel include: cimetidine, fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, etravirine, felbamate, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and ticlopidine.
Recommendations for healthcare professionals are provided in the Information for Healthcare Professionals sheet. For more information visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation and http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety.
Fluconazole is used to treat many kinds of fungal infections, including blood, lung, and skin infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.
Before administering fluconazole,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluconazole or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), antiviral agents such as zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir), astemizole (Hismanal), asthma medications, cisapride (Propulsid), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), didanosine (DDI), hydrochlorothiazide, medications for stomach problems such as cimetidine (Tagamet), oral contraceptives, oral medicine for diabetes, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin), tacrolimus (Prograf), terfenadine (Seldane), and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease or a history of alcohol abuse.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluconazole, call your doctor.
tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Before you administer fluconazole, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Gently squeeze the bag or observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.
It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your infection could worsen and result in hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.
Fluconazole may cause side effects. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
upset stomach
loss of appetite
altered sense of taste
diarrhea or loose stools
headache
dizziness
fatigue
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:
rash
itching
vomiting
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark urine
pale stools
unusual bleeding or bruising
Your health care provider will probably give you a 1-or 2-day supply of fluconazole at a time and tell you to store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator and avoid direct light.
If you store it in the refrigerator, take your next dose from the refrigerator 1 hour before using it; place it in a clean, dry area to allow it to warm to room temperature.
Do not allow fluconazole to freeze.
Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.
Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
If you are receiving fluconazole in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:
tenderness
warmth
irritation
drainage
redness
swelling
pain
Diflucan®
Diflucan® in Iso-osmotic Dextrose Injection
Diflucan® in Iso-osmotic Sodium Chloride Injection
