Follow the advice from your doctor. If you buy fluconazole in a pharmacy, follow the instructions that come with the medicine.
Dosage and strength
Fluconazole capsules are either 50mg, 150mg or 200mg.
The liquid usually comes in 2 different strengths:
- 50mg of fluconazole in a 5ml spoonful (50mg/5ml)
- 200mg of fluconazole in a 5ml spoonful (200mg/5ml)
The usual doses for adults are:
- oral (mouth) thrush – 50mg a day, taken for 7 to 14 days
- vaginal thrush or balanitis – 150mg, taken as a single dose
- vaginal thrush that keeps coming back – 150mg, taken once every 72 hours for the first 3 doses, then 150mg once a week for 6 months
- candida infections (in your blood or elsewhere in your body) – 200mg to 800mg a day for several weeks
- cryptococcal meningitis – 200mg to 800mg a day for several weeks
- to stop cryptococcal meningitis coming back – 200mg a day, taken long term
- to prevent fungal infections if you have a weakened immune system and a low white blood cell count – 50mg to 400mg a day, until your white blood cell count improves
For children, your child's doctor will work out the right dose depending on the infection and your child's age and weight.
How to take it
You can take fluconazole capsules and liquid with or without food.
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. It's best to take your capsules at the same time each day.
If you're taking the liquid, use the plastic spoon that comes with your medicine to measure your dose. If you do not have a plastic spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.
How long to take it for
How long you take fluconazole for depends on why you're taking it and whether your infection is getting better.
It could be a single dose for vaginal thrush or balanitis. Treatment may continue for several weeks, months or even years if you have another type of infection, or you're taking it to prevent infections.
If your doctor prescribes a course of fluconazole, they'll advise you on how long to take it for. Keep taking your medicine until the course is finished, even if you start to feel better. This will help to stop the infection coming back.
Speak to your doctor if you want to stop taking it for any reason.
Important
It's important to complete the course of fluconazole even if you feel better.
If you forget to take it
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicines.
If you take your fluconazole once every 72 hours, or once a week, it may help to use a calendar and mark the days when you need to take it.
If you take too much
Taking 1 or 2 extra doses of fluconazole is unlikely to harm you.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- your child takes more than the recommended dose of fluconazole
- you take more than the recommended dose of fluconazole and have side effects or feel unwell
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years.
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the fluconazole packet, or the leaflet inside it, and any remaining medicine with you.