Fluconazole

Fluconazole: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes, resulting in increased cell wall permeability and cellular content leakage.

Uses of Fluconazole

• Effective against Blastomyces, Candida, Cryptococcus, Coccidioides, Histoplasma and Microsporum canis infections and variably effective against Aspergillus and Penicillium
  infections.

Dose of Fluconazole in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:
• Fungal infections: 2.5–5 mg/kg p.o. q12h.

Cats:

• Ocular/CNS cryptococcosis: 50 mg/cat i.v. infusion, p.o. q24h.
• Systemic infections: give double the calculated dose on day 1. Doses up to 100 mg/cat q12h are sometimes used for systemic/ CNS Cryptococcus infection.
• Dermatophytosis, nasal cryptococcosis: 5 mg/kg p.o. q24h.
• For dermatophytosis, administer for 3 periods of 7 days, with 7 days without treatment in between.

Dogs, Cats:

• Urinary candidiasis: 5–10 mg/kg q24h.

Side Effects of Fluconazole in Dogs and Cats

• Adverse effects may include nausea and diarrhoea.
• May be hepatotoxic.

Contraindications of Fluconazole in Dogs and Cats

• Do not use in pregnant/lactating animals

Some Notes:

• Therapeutic concentrations are reached in the CNS and respiratory tract.
• The kidney excretes it, resulting in elevated concentrations in urine.
• Reduce dosage for animals with impaired renal function and hepatic disease.
• This medication should be taken until clinical symptoms have resolved and the organism is no longer present; in some cases, this may take up to two months.
• Fluconazole (due to inhibition of cytochrome P450-dependent liver enzymes) may increase plasma theophylline concentrations.
• Fluconazole increases ciclosporin blood levels.