What Azocan-P (Fluconazole) Is And What It Is Used For
Fluconazole, the active ingredient, belongs to a group of medicines called anti-fungal agents and is used to treat infections caused by fungi and yeasts. The most common cause of fungal infections is yeast called Candida.
Azocan-P is used to treat a fungal infection called vaginal thrush (in women) and associated candidal balanitis (in men).
What is vaginal thrush?
Vaginal thrush is caused by tiny yeast called Candida. Many women have the yeast living quite happily and problem-free within their bodies. However, the natural balance that keeps Candida under control can be upset by other factors, e.g. antibiotics, diabetes, poor general health, the Pill, or damage to vaginal tissues. Then the levels of yeast become too high and thrush develops. The most common symptoms are:
- Itching around the outside of the vagina.
- Soreness which becomes worse with rubbing and scratching. Also the salt in urine can sting the sore tissue.
- A white, non-smelling discharge from the vagina.
Not every woman who has thrush will have all of these symptoms.
Some general advice to help stop thrush coming back:
- Wash regularly, but do not wash and dry yourself too harshly.
- Avoid tight clothing.
- Wear cotton underwear and stockings rather than tights.
- Avoid perfumed soaps, bath additives and vaginal deodorants.
- Change your tampon frequently as a blood-soaked tampon can provide ideal conditions for yeast growth.
Sexual intercourse can damage delicate tissue and aggravate thrush. Vaginal thrush is not “VD”, but may be passed on to your partner through intercourse. If your attack of thrush was successfully treated, but keeps coming back, your partner may need to take Azocan-P (Fluconazole) himself. If you are unsure why your thrush keeps coming back, or are unsure if your partner has thrush, you or your partner should see a doctor.
What is candidal balanitis?
Candidal balanitis (penile thrush) is caused by yeast called Candida. Balanitis is the medical term used to describe inflammation of the end of the penis. The foreskin may also be inflamed.
Thrush can be passed on from your partner through sexual intercourse.
(Thrush is not “VD” – see “What is vaginal thrush?”). The most common symptoms are:
- Soreness, redness and irritation of the penis.
- Tightness of the foreskin.
- A white, non-smelling discharge from the penis.
- Not every man who has candidal balanitis will have all of these symptoms.
Before You Take Azocan-P
Do not take Azocan-P without first consulting your doctor if:
- You are allergic to fluconazole or to any of the other ingredients (See Section 6), or to a similar medicine you have taken to treat a fungal infection or thrush e.g. Ketoconazole or to related azoles such as astemizole.
- You are taking any medicine other than the contraceptive pill.
- You are taking terfenadine or astemizole (antihistamines), cisapride (used for stomach upsets), pimozide (a psychiatric medicine) or quinidine (for heart disease).
Take special care and check with your doctor before taking if you:
- have had thrush more than twice in the last six months
- have any disease or illness affecting your liver or kidneys or have unexplained jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- suffer from any other chronic (long term) disease or illness
- are susceptible to heart rhythm disturbances
- or your partner have had exposure to a sexually transmitted disease
- are unsure about the cause of your symptoms
Women only:
- You have any abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding or a blood stained discharge.
- You have vulval or vaginal sores, ulcers or blisters.
- You are experiencing lower abdominal pain or burning on passing urine.
Men only:
- Your sexual partner does not have vaginal thrush.
- You have penile sores, ulcers or blisters.
- You have an abnormal penile discharge (leakage).
- Your penis has started to smell.
- You have pain on passing urine.
Taking other medicines
Check with your doctor before taking if you are taking any other medicines. The following if taken with fluconazole may interfere with the action of your medicine:
- Cisapride (for stomach upsets)
- Terfenadine or astemizole (antihistamines)
- Pimozide (a psychiatric medicine)
- Quinidine or calcium channel blockers (for heart disease).
- Rifampicin, rifabutine, azithromycin or erythromycin (antibiotics).
- Diuretics eg. hydrochlorothiazide (used to treat fluid retention and high blood pressure).
- Losartan (used to treat high blood pressure)
- Warfarin or coumarin-type anticoagulant medicines (used to prevent blood clots)
- Benzodiazepines eg. midazolam (used as tranquilisers)
- Oral sulphonylureas eg. chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, glipizide or tolbutamide (used to control diabetes).
- Phenytoin or carbamazepine (used to control epilepsy)
- Ciclosporin, sirolimus or tacrolimus (used to affect the immune response)
- Theophylline (used to control asthma)
- Zidovudine, also known as AZT, or saquinavir (used in HIV-infected patients)
- Prednisone (used to treat allergies)
- Oral contraceptives
- Opioids such as alfentanil, fentanyl and methadone (used for pain relief or anaesthesia)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, celecoxib
- The anti-depressants amitriptyline and nortriptyline
- Amphotericin B (used to treat fungal infections)
- Cyclophosphamide and vinca alkaloids (used in chemotherapy)
- Halofantrine (used to treat malaria)
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (used to lower cholesterol)
- Vitamin A
Taking Azocan-P (Fluconazole) with food and drink
You may take the capsule with or without a meal.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
You should not take Azocan-P if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, are trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Azocan-P may cause dizziness or seizures. If affects do not drive or use machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Azocan-P
This medicine contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, such as lactose, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
How To Take Azocan-P
Always take Azocan-P (Fluconazole) exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Adults aged 16-60 years: The dose is one capsule. Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water.
Not recommended for use in children under 16 years or adults over 60 years.
Consult your doctor if symptoms have not been relieved within 1 week of taking this medicine.
If you take more capsules than you should:
Contact your doctor or the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
Possible Side-Effects of Azocan-P
Like all medicines Azocan-P (Fluconazole) may sometimes cause side-effects, although not everybody gets them. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If you experience sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing or tightness in the chest, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, blisters or red itchy spots on the skin, itch all over the body, sores around the mouth, eyes, nose or genitals you should stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately as these may be signs of a serious allergic reaction which can occur rarely (may affect more than 1 in 10,000 but less than 1 in 1,000 patients).
If you experience yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or swelling, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible, as these may be signs of liver disease/failure or a liver disorder.
Common side effects (these may affect more than 1 in 100 but less than 1 in 10 patients):
Headache, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, abnormalities in liver function tests.
Uncommon side effects (these may affect more than 1 in 1,000 but less than 1 in 100 patients)
Fatigue, weakness, fever, convulsions (fits), dizziness, pins and needles, tremor, vertigo, itching, loss of appetite, constipation, indigestion, flatulence, muscle pain, dry mouth, increased sweating, sleeplessness, sleepiness, liver problems, including jaundice (symptoms may include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), altered sense of taste, anaemia (symptoms may include tiredness, dizziness, headache, pale skin).
Rare side effects (frequency more than 1 in 10,000 but less than 1 in 1000 patients)
Seizures, hair loss, more serious liver problems ie. failure, inflammation, damage or disease (symptoms may include abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes); blood disorders which may cause fever, tiredness, bruising and sometimes abnormal bleeding; high levels of fats or low concentration of potassium in the blood, heart rhythm disturbances and very rarely severe skin reactions.
How To Store Azocan-P (Fluconazole)
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not use your medicine after the expiry date shown on the carton.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
What Azocan-P (Fluconazole) contains
The capsule contains 150mg fluconazole as the active ingredient. The capsule also contains lactose, pregelatinised maize starch, sodium laurilsulfate, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, purified talc and the capsule shell also contains gelatin, water and the colours brilliant blue (E133) and titanium dioxide (E171).
What Azocan-P (Fluconazole) looks like and contents of pack
This medicine is supplied as a pack of single blue capsule.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
FDC International Ltd. At: Unit 6, Fulcrum 1, Solent Way, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7FE
In US pharmacies Fluconazole is the most popular under the name: