Fluconazole and pregnancy
You can take fluconazole in pregnancy if other treatments have not worked.
If you have thrush, ask your GP for advice about treatment. Your doctor will probably prescribe clotrimazole or a similar antifungal medicine. This may be as a cream or as a soft tablet (a pessary) that you put into your vagina.
If the thrush does not go away, they may prescribe a single dose (150mg) of fluconazole. They'll discuss the risks and benefits to you and your baby.
If the fungal infection is more serious, your doctor may recommend a higher dose of fluconazole.
Fluconazole and breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take fluconazole when you're breastfeeding.
There is not much information about how much fluconazole passes into breast milk, but information shows that the amounts are fairly high compared to most other medicines. However, the amounts are still lower than doses used to treat babies who have a fungal infection themselves.
It's been used for many years without side effects in breastfed babies. Occasionally, mild side effects have been reported, such as being sick or diarrhoea.
Fluconazole is sometimes used to treat a fungal infection of the breast, known as breast candidiasis. However, the amount that passes into breast milk is not enough to treat the baby if they also have a fungal infection. Your baby will need their own treatment.
If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or has an upset stomach such as being sick or diarrhoea, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your midwife, health visitor, pharmacist or doctor.
Fluconazole and fertility
There is no evidence to suggest that fluconazole reduces fertility in either men or women.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:
- trying to get pregnant
- pregnant
- breastfeeding
Find out more about how fluconazole for thrush can affect you and your baby on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.