Patient leaflet - FLUCONAZOLE 150 MG CAPSULES, AZOCAN 150
1. what azocan is and what it is used for
Fluconazole, the active ingredient, belongs to a group of medicines called anti-fungal agents and it is used to treat infections caused by fungi and may also be used to stop you from getting a candidal infection. The most common cause of fungal infections is yeast called Candida.
Adults
You might be given this medicine by your doctor to treat the following types of fungal infections:
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– Cryptococcal meningitis – a fungal infection in the brain
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– Coccidioidomycosis – a disease of the bronchopulmonary system
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– Infections caused by Candida and found in the blood stream, body organs (e.g. heart, lungs) or urinary tract
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– Mucosal thrush – infection affecting the lining of the mouth, throat and denture sore mouth
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– Genital thrush – infection of the vagina or penis
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– Skin infections – e.g. athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, nail infection
You might also be given Azocan to:
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– stop cryptococcal meningitis from coming back
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– stop mucosal thrush from coming back
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– reduce recurrence of vaginal thrush
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– stop you from getting an infection caused by Candida (if your immune system is weak and not working properly)
Children and adolescents (0 to 17 years old)
You might be given this medicine by your doctor to treat the following types of fungal infections:
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– Mucosal thrush – infection affecting the lining of the mouth, throat
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– Infections caused by Candida and found in the blood stream, body organs (e.g. heart, lungs) or urinary tract
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– Cryptococcal meningitis – a fungal infection in the brain
You might also be given Azocan to:
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– stop you from getting an infection caused by Candida (if your immune system is weak and not working properly).
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– stop cryptococcal meningitis from coming back
2. what you need to know before you take azocan
Do not take Azocan if:
l You have ever had an allergic reaction to fluconazole, to other medicines you have taken to treat fungal infections or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). The symptoms may include itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing.
l You are taking terfenadine or astemizole (antihistamine medicines for allergies), cisapride (used for stomach upsets), pimozide (used for treating mental illness), quinidine (used for treating heart arrhythmia), erythromycin (an antibiotic for treating infections).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Azocan
l if you have any disease or illness affecting your liver or kidneys
l if you suffer from heart disease, including heart rhythm problems
l if you have abnormal levels of potassium, calcium or magnesium in your blood
l if you develop severe skin reactions (itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing)
l if you develop signs of ‚adrenal insufficiency‘ where the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of certain steroid hormones such as cortisol (chronic, or long lasting fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain)
Other medicines and Azocan 150
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Tell your doctor immediately if you are taking astemizole, terfenadine (an antihistamine for treating allergies) or cisapride (used for stomach upsets) or pimozide (used for treating mental illness) or quinidine (used for treating heart arrhythmia) or erythromycin (an antibiotic for treating infections) as these should not be taken with Azocan (see section: “Do not take Azocan if you”).
There are some medicines that may interact with Azocan. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any of the following medicines:
l nifedipine, isradipine, amlodipine, felodipine and losartan (for hypertension-high blood pressure)
l rifampicin, rifabutine (antibiotics for infections)
l medicines that thin the blood to prevent blood clots (Warfarin or similar medicines)
l benzodiazepines (midazolam, triazolam or similar medicines) used to help you sleep or for anxiety
l olaparib (used for treating ovarian cancer)
l chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, glipizide or tolbutamide (used to control diabetes)
l phenytoin, carbamazepine (used for treating fits)
l ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus or tacrolimus (to prevent transplant rejection)
l theophylline (used to control asthma)
l tofacitinib (used for treating rheumatoid arthritis)
l zidovudine, also known as AZT, or saquinavir (used in HIV-infected patients)
l prednisone (steroid)
l oral contraceptives
l alfentanil, fentanyl (used as anaesthesia)
l celecoxib, flurbiprofen, naproxen, ibuprofen, lornoxicam, meloxicam, diclofenac (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID))
l amitriptyline and nortriptyline (used as anti-depressant)
l amphotericin B, voriconazole (anti-fungal)
l cyclophosphamide and vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine or similar medicines) used for treating cancer
l halofantrine (used for treating malaria)
l statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin and fluvastatin or similar medicines) used for reducing high cholesterol levels
l vitamin A (nutritional supplement)
l methadone (used for pain)
l ivacaftor (used for treating cystic fibrosis)
l amiodarone (used for treating uneven heartbeats ‚arrhythmias‘)
l hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic)
Azocan with food and drink
You may take the capsule with or without a meal.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
You should not take Azocan while you are pregnant unless your doctor has told you to.
You can continue breast-feeding after taking a single dose of Azocan up to 150 mg.
You should not breast-feed if you are taking a repeated dose of Azocan.
Driving and using machines
When driving vehicles or using machines, it should be taken into account that occasionally dizziness or fits may occur.
Azocan contains lactose (milk sugar) and sodium (salt)
This medicine contains a small amount of lactose (milk sugar). If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, such as lactose, please contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Azocan capsules contain less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free’
3. how to take azocan
Always take Azocan exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. It is best to take your capsules at the same time each day.
The recommended doses of this medicine for treatment of the different infections are below:
Adults
| Condition | Dose |
| To treat cryptococcal meningitis | 400 mg on the first day then 200 mg to 400 mg once daily for 6 to 8 weeks or longer if needed. Sometimes doses are increased up to 800 mg |
| To stop cryptococcal meningitis from coming back | 200 mg once daily until you are told to stop |
| To treat coccidioidomycosis | 200 mg to 400 mg once daily from 11 months for up to 24 months or longer if needed. Sometimes doses are increased up to 800 mg |
| To treat internal fungal infections caused by Candida | 800 mg on the first day then 400 mg once daily until you are told to stop |
| To treat mucosal infections affecting the lining of mouth, throat and denture sore mouth | 200 mg to 400 mg on the first day then 100 mg to 200 mg until you are told to stop |
| To treat mucosal thrush – dose depends on where the infection is located | 50 mg to 400 mg once daily for 7 to 30 days until you are told to stop |
| To stop mucosal infections affecting the lining of mouth, throat from coming back | 100 mg to 200 mg once daily, or 200 mg 3 times a week, while you are at risk of getting an infection | |
| To treat genital thrush | 150 mg as a single dose | |
| To reduce recurrence of vaginal thrush | 150 mg every third day for a total of 3 doses (day 1, 4 and 7) and then once a week for 6 months while you are at risk of getting an infection | |
| o treat fungal skin and nail infections | Depending on the site of the infection 50 mg once daily, 150 mg once weekly, 300 to 400 mg once weekly for 1 to 4 weeks (Athlete's foot may be up to 6 weeks, for nail infection treatment until infected nail is replaced) | |
| To stop you from getting an infection caused by Candida (if your immune system is weak and not working properly) | 200 mg to 400 mg once daily while you are at risk of getting an infection | |
| Adolescents from 12 to 17 years old Follow the dose prescribed by your doctor (either adults or children posology). Children to 11 years old The maximum dose for children is 400 mg daily. The dose will be based on the child's weight in kilograms. | ||
| Condition | Daily dose | |
| Mucosal thrush and throat infections caused by Candida – dose and duration depends on the severity of the infection and on where the infection is located | 3 mg per kg of body weight (6 mg per kg of body weight might be given on the first day) | |
| Cryptococcal meningitis or internal fungal infections caused by Candida | 6 mg to 12 mg per kg of body weight | |
| To stop cryptococcal meningitis from coming back | 6 mg per kg of body weight once daily | |
| To stop children from getting an infection caused by Candida (if their immune system is not working properly) | 3 mg to 12 mg per kg of body weight once daily | |
Use In children 0 to 4 weeks of age
Use in children of 3 to 4 weeks of age:
The same dose as above but given once every 2 days. The maximum dose is 12 mg per kg of body weight every 48 hours. Use in children less than 2 weeks old:
The same dose as above but given once every 3 days. The maximum dose is 12 mg per kg of body weight every 72 hours.
Elderly
The usual adult dose should be given unless you have kidney problems.
Patients with kidney problems
Your doctor may modify your dose, depending on your kidney function. If you take more Azocan than you should
Taking too many capsules at once may make you unwell. Contact your doctor or your nearest hospital casualty department at once. The symptoms of a possible overdose may include hearing, seeing, feeling and thinking things that are not real (hallucination and paranoid behaviour). Symptomatic treatment (with supportive measures and gastric lavage if necessary) may be adequate.
If you forget to take Azocan
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forgot to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the dose that you missed.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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4. POSSIBLE SIDE-EFFECTS
Like all medicines Azocan may sometimes cause side-effects, although not everybody gets them.
A few people develop allergic reactions although serious allergic reactions are rare. If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. If you get any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.
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1 sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing or tightness in the chest l swelling of the eyelids, face or lips
l itching all over the body, reddening of the skin or itchy red spots
l hypersensitivity reaction with skin rash, fever, swollen glands, increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia) and inflammation of internal organs (liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and large intestine) (Drug Reaction or rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS).
l severe skin reactions such as a rash that causes blistering (this can affect the mouth and tongue) Azocan may affect your liver. The signs of liver problems include: l tiredness l loss of appetite l vomiting l yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
If any of these happen, stop taking Azocan and tell your doctor immediately. Other side effects:
Additionally, if any of the following side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are: l headache l stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting l increases in blood tests of liver function l rash
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) are:
l reduction in red blood cells which can make skin pale and cause weakness or breathlessness l decreased appetite
l inability to sleep, feeling drowsy l fit, dizziness, sensation of spinning, tingling, pricking or numbness, changes in sense of taste l constipation, difficult digestion, wind, dry mouth
l muscle pain
l liver damage and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) l wheals, blistering (hives), itching, increased sweating l tiredness, general feeling of being unwell, fever Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) are: l lower than normal white blood cells that help defend against infections and blood cells that help to stop bleeding l red or purple discoloration of the skin which may be caused by low platelet count, other blood cell changes l blood chemistry changes (high blood levels of cholesterol, fats) l low blood potassium l shaking
l abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG), change in heart rate or rhythm l liver failure
l allergic reactions (sometimes severe), including widespread blistering rash and skin peeling, severe skin reactions, swelling of the lips or face
l hair loss
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
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5. HOWTO STORE AZOCAN
6. contents of the pack and other information
What AZOCAN 150 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, sodium laurilsulfate, water and the colours brilliant blue (E133) and titanium dioxide (E171).
What AZOCAN 150 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, Unit 6, Fulcrum 1, Solent Way, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7FE
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This leaflet was last revised in February 2020.
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