Pet Medication 101: Fluconazole
It’s important to understand a medication’s uses and side effects before giving it to your pet. This medication info sheet is meant to give you a good understanding of what fluconazole is used for, how it works, and potential side effects in cats and dogs. Always consult a veterinarian before giving your pet any medication.
1. Drug Name:
fluconazole
2. Brand Names:
Diflucan, Viaflex
3. How Dispensed:
Prescription-only
4. Forms:
Tablets (50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg), powder to reconstitute, injection
5. DrugType/Class:
Antifungal
6. Uses in Cats and Dogs:
Treatment for fungal infections such as cryptococcus, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, candidiasis, Malassezia, and dermatophytes.
7. How it Works:
Fluconazole works by inhibiting the production of the fungal cell wall. This causes the fungus to be structurally deficient, making it unable to reproduce or survive.
8. Side Effects and/or Signs of Overdose:
anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, liver toxicity
9. Drug Interactions:
benzodiazepines, buspirone, cimetidine, cisapride, colchicine, corticosteroids, certain narcotics, NSAIDs, cyclosporine, diuretics. Fluconazole and these medications can affect each other by increasing the concentration of the drug in the bloodstream.
10: Cautionary Statements:
Use with caution in patients with liver disease.
Read more:
Blastomycosis in Dogs and Cats
Histoplasmosis in Dogs and Cats
Medication Info Sheet: Ketoconazole
Low-cost video vet consultations, 24 hours a day
