FLUCONAZOLE 2 MG / ML SOLUTION FOR INFUSION - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Patient leaflet - FLUCONAZOLE 2 MG / ML SOLUTION FOR INFUSION

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Fluconazole

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine

– Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
– If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
– This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even

if their symptoms are the same as yours.

– 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 phamacist.

The name of your medicine is is Fluconazole 2 mg/ml Solution for Infusion, but will also be referred to as Fluconazole throughout this leaflet.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Fluconazole is and what it is used for
2. Before you use Fluconazole
3. How to use Fluconazole
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Fluconazole
6. Further information

1. what fluconazole is and what it is used for

Fluconazole belongs to a group of medicines called antifungals. Fluconazole is used in the treatment of infections caused by Candida, Cryptococci, and other related yeast, in particular:

Thrush of the mouth and throat, of the swallowing tube that joins the mouth with the stomach (called the oesophagus), of the lining of the lung airways, and Candida infections in the urine in people who have very poor immunity to infections.
Serious Candida infections that have invaded into the body and the organs. Fluconazole is also used to prevent serious Candida infections in people who have very few white blood cells so are unable to fight off infection. For example, people who have had bone marrow transplants and people who have AIDS.
A type of meningitis (inflammation of the layers of the brain) caused by a fungus called the Cryptococcus. Fluconazole is also used to prevent further infections with this fungus and relapses of cryptococcal meningitis in people with poor immunity to infections.

2. before you use fluconazole are allergic (hypersensitive) to fluconazole, similar substances, or any of the other ingredients of fluconazole.

are taking other medicines containing cisapride (commonly used for nausea and vomiting), astemizole (used in seasonal allergies), terfenadine (used in seasonal allergies), pimozide (used in mental disorders) and quinidine (used for malaria treatment and control of heart rhythm). This combination can cause heart problems.

Take special care with Fluconazole

Before you start treatment with Fluconazole, you should tell your doctor if you have:

impaired liver function
impaired kidney function
Heart disease e.g. an irregular heart rhythm or if you are taking any medicines to control your heart rhythm. These medicines may be called amiodarone, sotalol or disopyramide.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If Fluconazole and certain other medicines are taken at the same time, the effect of treatment may be affected. This applies for example to the following:

certain blood-thinning agents e.g. warfarin
certain sleeping pills such as midazolam and triazolam
celecoxib (for inflammation)
ciclosporin, tacrolimus and sirolimus (used in organ transplantation)
phenytoin (for epilepsy)
certain agents that reduce blood lipids such as atorvastatin, simvastatin and fluvastatin
rifabutin and rifampicin (for tuberculosis and other infections)
blood sugar lowering agents such as chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, glipizide, tolbutamide
theophylline (used in the treatment of asthma)
zidovudine (used for treatment of HIV infection)
hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic)
amitriptyline (for depression)
halofantrine (for malaria)
amphotericin B (used to treat fungal infections)
theophylline (for respiratory problems)
drugs used in the control of heart rhythm and blood pressure (nifedipine, isradipine, nicardipine, amlodipine and felodipine)
losartan (for high blood pressure)
trimetrexate (used in certain types of pneumonia)
prednisolone (used in inflammation and organ transplants)
didanosine (treatment used in AIDs)

Using Fluconazole with food and drink

Avoid consuming alcohol until you have discussed this with your doctor

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Before starting treatment, you must inform your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will then decide whether you should take Fluconazole.

Women of child-bearing potential should use reliable contraception during long-term treatment with Fluconazole.

Fluconazole enters breast milk, so women are advised not to breast-feed their babies while they are taking Fluconazole.

Driving and using machines

Occasionally dizziness or fits can occur in people taking Fluconazole, so care should be taken when driving or operating machinery (see section 4 of this leaflet for more information on possible side effects).

Important information about some of the ingredients of Fluconazole

Your medicine contains 3.54mg of sodium per ml. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

3. how to use fluconazole

Fluconazole is administered via intravenous drip by medical personnel.

The dose and the treatment times will be determined by the doctor, who will adjust them especially for you.

Adults:

The usual doses:

For mucosal infections of the mouth: 50–100 mg daily for 7–14 days
For mucosal infections of the throat or elsewhere: 50–100 mg once daily for 14–30 days
For internal fungal infections caused by Candida: 400 mg on the first day then 200–400 mg once

daily.

For internal fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus: 400mg on the first day then 200–400mg once daily for 6–8 weeks.
To stop you from getting a fungal infection: 50–400 mg once daily while you are at risk of getting an infection.
To prevent a cryptococcal infection from coming back: 100–200 mg once daily indefinitely.

Children:

The usual dose for children ranges between 3 and 12 mg/kg bodyweight per day.

The maximum daily dose for children is 400 mg. For children over 4 weeks, the dose is based on their body weight.

Patients with kidney problems:

Your doctor may need to modify these doses depending on how your kidneys work.

If you use more Fluconazole than you should

It is most unlikely that you will be given too much medicine by your nurse or doctor. Your doctor and nurse will be monitoring your progress, and checking the medicine that you are given. Always ask if you are not sure why you are getting a dose of medicine.

If you forget to use Fluconazole

Your doctor or nurse have instructions when to give you your medicine. It is most unlikely that you will not be given the medicine as it has been prescribed. If you think that you may have missed a dose then talk to your nurse or doctor.

If you stop using Fluconazole

It is important that you keep using Fluconazole until the prescribed course is finished. Do not stop using it just because you feel better. If you stop too soon, the infection may start up again. If you still feel unwell at the end of the course of treatment, tell your doctor.

If you have any questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, Fluconazole can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If any of the following happens, stop using Fluconazole and inform your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department of your nearest hospital.

if you develop severe allergic reactions – rashes, hives, itching, chest constriction, shortness of breath or swelling of face, lips, hands / feet, fainting, high temperature, heart palpitations
if you have an infection with symptoms such as fever and suffer a severe deterioration in general health or fever with local symptoms of infection such as discomfort in the neck/throat/mouth region or trouble urinating. You will have to have a deficiency of white blood cells ruled out (agranulocytosis). It is important that you inform the treating physician of your medication

These are very serious side effects. If you have them you may have had a serious allergic reaction to Fluconazole. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

The following side effects are arranged in order of frequency:

Common:

Uncommon:

Rare:

occurs in more than 1 in 100 users occurs in less than 1 in 100 users occurs in less than 1 in 1000 users

Common:

nausea and vomiting
stomachache
diarrhoea
headache
skin rash
increase in the blood of substances produced by the liver called liver enzymes

Uncommon:

fever and asthenia
flatulence
dizziness and convulsions
itching
muscle pain
dry mouth
increased sweating
insomnia
somnolence
taste perception
reduced and low white blood cell count e.g. agranulocytosis, low platelet count
paresthesia (tingling or numbness)
tremor
vertigo (a feeling of dizziness or ‘spinning’)
constipation
inflammation and damage to the liver, sometimes with jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes)

Rare:

raised blood cholesterol and triglycerides
low blood potassium
disturbances of heart rhythm
hair loss
skin and mucosal changes (including serious ones such as rashes that involve blistering and peeling of the skin that may involve eyes, mouth and genitals)
serious allergic reaction with symptoms such as oedema (swelling) of the face, breathing difficulties, itching and hives.

There may be changes in the results of certain laboratory tests:

Abnormal liver function tests
Abnormal kidney function tests
Decreased values of blood cell counts
Increased cholesterol and triglycerides in blood
Other biochemical abnormalities (such as decreased potassium in serum)

These changes in the laboratory tests may be more marked in patients with HIV infection, cancer and in patients simultaneously taking other drugs which may also affect the results of such tests.

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 website: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.

5. how to store fluconazole

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not freeze.

Do not use Fluconazole after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and label, after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

Do not use Fluconazole if you notice that there are particles present in the solution i.e. the solution is not clear.

Your medicine is for single use only and any remaining solution has to be discarded.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to despose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Further Information

The active substance is Fluconazole. Each 100ml vial of Fluconazole 2 mg/ml Solution for Infusion contains 200 mg of Fluconazole.

The other ingredients are sodium chloride and water for injections.

What Fluconazole looks like and contents of the pack

Fluconazole 2 mg/ml Solution for injection is a clear, transparent solution which is available in packs of one 100ml vial.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Northumbria Pharma Ltd.

NETPark

Thomas Wright Way

Sedgefield

County Durham

TS21 3FD

United Kingdom

Manufacturer

Laboratorio Reig Jofre,

Gran Capitan,

10–08970, Sant Joan Despi,

Barcelona,

Spain.

This leaflet was last revised in January 2019

The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only.

Technical Leaflet

Name of the Medicinal Product

Fluconazole 2 mg/mL Solution for Infusion

Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Each mL of solution for infusion contains 2 mg Fluconazole.

Each 100 mL vial contains 200 mg Fluconazole.

For Excipients, see ’List of excipients’.

Pharmaceutical Form

Solution for infusion.

Transparent solution.

Clinical Particulars

Treatment of mycoses caused by Candida, Cryptococci, and other related yeasts, in particular:

Mucosal candida infections including oropharyngeal, eosophageal, mucocutaneous and noninvasive bronchopulmonial candidiasis and candiduria in patients with decreased immunological defence.
Systemic candida infections, including candidemia in non-neutropenic patients.
Prophylaxis against deep candida-infections (especially Candida albicans) in connection with bone marrow transplantation.
Acute cryptococcal meningitis in adults, including patients with AIDS, transplanted patients or patients with other causes of immunosuppresion.
Maintenance treatment to prevent recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS.
Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antifungal
agents.

Posology and method of administration

The dose is dependent on the type and severity of infection. Treatment of infections requiring multiple dose treatment should be continued until clinical or laboratory parameters show that the infection has subsided. An inadequate period of treatment may lead to recurrence of the infection.

Oral pharmaceutical forms and solutions for infusion are available for therapy. Patients should be switched from intravenous to oral administration as soon as possible. The daily dose need not be altered when changing from intravenous to oral administration or vice versa..

Dosage in adults

Mucosal Candidia:

Oropharyngeal candidiasis –

The normal dose is 50mg daily, also in patients with impaired immune function. Administered for 7–14 days. The dose may be increased to 100mg if necessary. In patients with severely impaired immune response, the treatment may be continued for a longer period..

Oesophageal mucotaneous, non-invasive bronchopulmonial candidiasis and candiduria -The normal dose is 50mg daily for 14–30 days. In severe cases, the dose may be increased to 100mg.

Systemic Candida infections:

The dose in candidaemia and other invasive candida infections is 400–800 mg on the first day and 200

400 mg daily thereafter. The dose depends on the type and severity of the infection.

In most cases a loading dose of 800 mg on the first day followed by 400 mg daily thereafter may be preferable. The duration of treatment, often up to several weeks, is determined by the clinical response.

Prophylaxis against deep Candida infections in patients with neutropenia due to bone marrow transplantation:

400 mg once daily. Prophylaxis with fluconazole should be initiated several days before anticipated neutropenia and should continue for 7 days after neutrophilic values have increased to>1×109/1.

Cryptococcal meningitis:

The normal dose is 400 mg on the first day then 200 mg-400 mg daily thereafter. The duration of treatment for cryptococcal infections depends on the clinical response, but is usually at least 6–8 weeks for cryptoccal meningitis.

A daily dose of 100–200 mg is recommended in maintenance treatment to prevent relapse of cryptococcal meningitis in AIDS patients.

The duration of the maintenance treatment of AIDS-patients should be considered with regard to increased risk of resistance to fluconazole.

Dosage in children and adolescents:

As with similar infections in adults, the duration of treatment is based on the clinical response. The maximum daily dose of 400mg should not be exceeded in children.

Mucosal Candida infections:

3 mg/kg once daily. 6 mg/kg may be given on day 1 in order to reach steady-state concentration more rapidly.

Prophylaxis against deep Candida infections in patients with neutropenia due to bone marrow transplantation:

The recommended dose is 3–12 mg/kg once daily. The dosage is dependent on the extent and duration of the neutropenia.

Prevention of relapse of cryptococcal meningitis:

The recommended dose is 3–12 mg/kg daily, depending on the degree of severity of the infection.

Systemic Candida infections:

The recommended dose is 6–12 mg/kg daily, depending on the degree of severity of the infection.

Children four weeks of age and younger:

Fluconazole is excreted more slowly in neonates than in older children. The same dose in mg/kg should be used, but the dose interval extended. For premature newborn infants and neonates up to 2 weeks of age, the dose should be administered every 3rd day (72 hour interval), for children 2–4 weeks old, on alternate days (48 hour interval).

Use in the elderly

The normal adult dose should be given if there is no evidence of renal impairment.

Renal impairment in adults and children

With repeated dosing, the normal dose is given on day 1; thereafter the dose interval or the daily dose is adjusted in relation to creatine clearance as follows:

Creatinine clearance (mL/min)	Daily dose
>50	Normal dose regime (100 %)
11–50	Half normal daily dose (50%)
Patients receiving dialysis	One dose after every dialysis session

Patients with liver insuffiency:

Fluconazole should only be administered with special care and under careful monitoring in patients with liver insufficiency (see ‘Special warnings and precautions for use’).

Administration:

For intravenous use as infusion only.

Fluconazole is dissolved in isotonic saline solution, with an electrolyte content of Na+ 150 mmol and Cl- 150 mmol per 1000ml, and may be administered directly as an infusion.

The infusion rate should not exceed 20mg (10ml)/minute for adults. For children, it is recommended that the infusion rate not exceed 10mg (5ml)/min. For premature infants, the infusion time should be no less than 15 minutes. In patients requiring sodium or fluid restriction, the rate of administration should be taken into consideration as Fluconazole consists of a salt solution. In such cases the infusion should be given over a longer period.

Contraindications

Fluconazole should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to fluconazole or to related azole compounds or any other ingredient in the formulation.

Fluconazole should not be co-administered with drugs both known to prolong QT-interval and metabolised by CYP3A4 such as cisapride, astemizole, terfenadine, pimozide and quinidine (see ‘Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction’).

Special warnings and precautions for use

Severe liver toxicity, including death, has been reported in rare cases, most often in patients with serious underlying illnesses. No obvious connection, however, has been found between daily dose, duration of treatment, gender or age. Patients that develop abnormal liver function tests or significant increases from already abnormal levels during treatment should be carefully monitored.

Treatment should be discontinued if clinical signs of liver disease, with possible connection to fluconazole, develop. The liver toxicity has most often been reversible following withdrawal of the treatment. The benefits of the treatment should be evaluated against the risks of developing serious liver damage if therapy is continued in patients whose liver enzyme values rise during fluconazole treatment.

Certain azoles, including fluconazole, have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval. Rare cases of torsade de pointes have been reported during treatment with fluconazole. Although the association of fluconazole and QT-prolongation has not been fully established, fluconazole should be used with caution in patients with potentially proarrythmic conditions such as:

Congenital or documented acquired QT prolongation
Cardiomyopathy, in particular when heart failure is present
Sinus bradycardia
Existing symptomatic arrythmias
Concomitant medication known to prolong QT interval (see ‘Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction’)

Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalaemia should be corrected prior to initiation of fluconazole treatment.

In rare cases patients have developed exfoliative skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in treatment with fluconazole. AIDS-patients have a higher tendency for the development of serious skin reactions from various drugs. Where patients with minor fungal infections that are being treated with fluconazole develop a skin rash, considered to be connected to treatment with fluconazole, the treatment should be stopped.

If patients who are being treated for invasive fungal infections or systemic infections develop a skin rash, they should be closely monitored and the treatment discontinued if bullous skin reactions or erythema multiforme develop.

Fluconazole is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme 2C9 and a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4. Patients who receive concomitant treatment with fluconazole and drugs which have a narrow therapeutic interval (e.g. warfarin and phenytoin) and which are metabolised via CYP2C9 and/or CYP3A4 should be closely monitored (see ‘Contraindications’ and ‘Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction’).

Fluconazole may lengthen the prothrombin time following administration of warfarin. Close monitoring of the prothrombin time is recommended.

Rare instances of anaphylactic reactions have been reported (see ‘Undesirable effects’).

For dosage in renal impairment, see ‘Posology and method of administration’.

Fertile women undergoing long-term treatment with fluconazole should use adequate methods of contraception (see ‘Pregnancy and lactation’).

Data regarding efficacy and safety of fluconazole in children and adolescents less than 16 years of age are still limited. Therefore the benefits of the treatment with fluconazole should be carefully evaluated against the risks.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Fluconazole

Your medicine contains 3.54mg of sodium per ml. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The following combinations are contraindicated

Astemizole (CYP3A4-substrate): Astemizole overdoses have led to prolonged QT interval a severe ventricular arrhythmia, torsade de pointes and cardiac arrest. Concomitant administration of astemizole and fluconazole is contraindicated due to the potential for serious, potentially fatal, cardiac effects.
Cisapride (CYP3A4-substrate): Cardiovascular effects, including torsade de pointes, have been reported in patients having received concomitant treatment with fluconazole and cisapride. In one controlled study, where 200 mg fluconazole was administered once daily concomitantly with cisapride 20 mg four times daily, a significant increase in plasma levels of cisapride and prolongation of the QTc-interval where achieved. Concurrent treatment with cisapride and fluconazole is contraindicated (see ‘Contraindications’).
Terfenadine (400 mg fluconazole and higher; CYP3A4-substrate): Serious cardiac arrhythmias, secondary to prolonged QTc-interval, have occurred in patients treated with anti-fungal medications such as triazolic compounds and terfenadine. Concomitant treatment with 200 mg fluconazole daily showed no prolongation of the QTc-interval. With doses of 400 mg and 800 mg fluconazole daily, the plasma concentration of terfenadine increased significantly. Concomitant treatment with fluconazole 400 mg per day or higher dose is contraindicated. With concomitant treatment with doses below 400 mg per day, the treatment should be closely monitored.

The effects of fluconazole on other drugs:

Amphotericin B: In-vitro and in-vivo animal studies have found antagonism between amphotericin B and azole derivatives. The mechanism of action of imidazoles is to inhibit ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes. Amphotericin B acts by binding to sterols in the cell membrane and changing membrane permeability. Clinical effects of this antagonism are to date unknown. A similar effect may occur with amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex.
Fluconazole is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme 2C9 and a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4. In addition to the interactions given below, there is a risk that elevated serum concentrations of other drugs metabolised via CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 will not be secreted with concomitant administration of fluconazole. Caution should therefore always be observed during combination therapy with medications such as these and the patient closely monitored. The effects may persist for several days due to the long half life of fluconazole.
Alfentanil (CYP3A4-substrate): In concomitant treatment with fluconazole (400 mg) and intravenous alfentanil (20 _g/kg) in healthy volunteers, AUC10 – increased twofold and clearance decreased by 55 % for alfentanil, probably through inhibition of CYP3A4. The combination may require dose adjustment.
Amitriptyline (CYP2D6-substrate): Several case histories have described the development of elevated amitriptylline concentrations and signs of tricyclic toxicity when amitriptylline is used in combination with fluconazole. Concomitant infusion of fluconazole and nortriptylline, the active metabolite of amitriptylline, have been reported to lead to increased nortriptylline levels. Due to the risk of amitriptylline toxicity, monitoring of amitriptylline levels should be considered with dose adjustment where indicated.
Anticoagulants (CYP2C9-substrate): In concomitant treatment with fluconazole and warfarin, the prothrombin time increased up to twofold. This is probably due to an inhibition of the metabolism of warfarin via CYP2C9. The prothrombin time should be monitored closely in patients treated concomitantly with fluconazole and coumarintype anticoagulants.
Benzodiazepines (CYP3A4-substrate): Fluconazole may inhibit the metabolism of benzodiazepines metabolised via CYP3A4, e.g. midazolam and triazolam. In concomitant oral single dose treatment with fluconazole (400 mg) and midazolam (7.5 mg) AUC increased 3.7 times and the half life of midazolam 2.2 times. The combination should be avoided. Where concomitant treatment is considered necessary, a reduction in the dose of midazolam should be considered and the patient monitored closely In concomitant treatment with fluconazole (100 mg daily for 4 days) and triazolam (0.25 mg) the AUC and half-life of triazolam increased respectively 2.5 and 1.8 times. Prolonged and enhanced effects from triazolam have been observed. The combination may require reduction in the dose of triazolam.
Calcium channel antagonists (CYP3A4-substrates): Some dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists, including nifedipine, isradipine, nicardipine, amlodipine, and felodipine, are metabolised via CYP3A4. Literature reports have documented substantial peripheral oedema and/or elevated calcium antagonist serum concentrations during concurrent use of itraconazole and felodipine, isradipine, or nifedipine. An interaction might occur also with fluconazole.
Celecoxib (CYP2C9-substrate): In concomitant treatment with fluconazole (200 mg daily) and celecoxib (200 mg), Cmax and AUC for celecoxib increased by 68 % and 134 % respectively. Halving the dose of celecoxib is recommended in combination therapy with fluconazole.
Cyclosporin (CYP3A4-substrate): Clinically significant interactions between cyclosporin and fluconazole have been observed at doses of fluconazole of 200 mg and higher. In concomitant treatment with 200 mg fluconazole daily and cyclosporine (2.7 mg/kg/day), AUC for cyclosporin increased approximately 1.8 times and clearance was reduced by approximately 55 %. The plasma concentration of cyclosporin should be monitored in concomitant treatment with fluconazole.
Didanosine: Coadministration of didanosine and fluconazole appears to be safe and has little effect on didanosine pharmacokinetics or efficacy. However, it is important to monitor fluconazole response. It may be advantageous to stagger fluconazole dosing to a time prior to didanosine administration.
Halofantrin (CYP3A4-substrate): Drugs which inhibit CYP3A4 lead to an inhibition of halofantrin metabolism.
HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibitors (CYP2C9-or CYP3A4-substrate): The risk of myopathy increases when fluconazole is administered concomitantly with HMG-CoAreductase inhibitors that are metabolised via CYP3A4, e.g. atorvastatin and simvastatin, or via CYP2C9, such as fluvastatin. Caution should be observed where concomitant treatment with fluconazole and HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibitors is considered necessary.

The combination may require dose reduction of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The patient should be observed with regard to signs of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. Where myopathy or rhabdomyolysis are suspected, the treatment with HMG-CoAreductase-inhibitors must be discontinued.

Losartan (CYP2C9-substrate): Fluconazole inhibits the conversion of losartan to its active metabolite (E-3174), which is responsible for the most of the angiotensin II receptor antagonism that occurs with losartan therapy. Concomitant treatment with fluconazole might lead to increased concentrations of losartan and decreased concentrations of the active metabolite. It is recommended that patients receiving the combination be monitored for continued control of their hypertension.
Oral contraceptive agents (CYP3A4-substrate): In a kinetic study with combined oral contraceptives and 50 mg fluconazole daily, hormonal levels were not affected. With 200 mg fluconazole daily, AUC for ethynylestradiol increased by 40 % and levonorgestrel by 24 %. Fluconazole at these dosages probably has no effect on combined oral contraceptives.
Phenytoin (CYP2C9-substrate): Concomitant, repeated treatment with 200 mg fluconazole and 250 mg phenytoin intravenously increased AUC24 for phenytoin by 75 % and Cmin by 128 %. In combination treatment, plasma phenytoin concentrations should be monitored and the dose adjusted.
Prednisone (CYP3A4-substrate): A liver transplant recipient receiving prednisone experienced an Addisonian crisis when a three-month course of fluconazole was discontinued. The withdrawal of fluconazole likely caused an increase in CYP3A4 activity, leading to an increase in the degradation of prednisone. Patients receiving long-term therapy with fluconazole and prednisone should be closely monitored for signs of adrenal insufficiency when fluconazole is withdrawn.
Rifabutin (CYP3A4-substrate): In concomitant treatment with fluconazole and rifabutin, the serum concentrations of rifabutin increased. Uveitis has been reported. Patients undergoing concomitant treatment should be monitored closely.
Sirolimus and tacrolimus (3A4-substrate): In concomitant oral treatment with fluconazole and tacrolimus (0.15 mg/kg twice daily) the plasma concentration trough level of tacrolimus increased 1.4 and 3.1 times with a daily fluconazole dose of 100 mg and 200 mg respectively. Nephrotoxicity has been reported. Even though no interaction studies have been performed with fluconazole and sirolimus, a similar interaction can be anticipated. In concomitant treatment with fluconazole and tacrolimus or sirolimus, patients should be closely monitored and an adjustment in dose considered.
Sulphonylureas (CYP2C9-substrate): Fluconazole has displayed prolonged half-life in serum for concomitantly administered sulphonylureas (glibencamide, glipizide, chlorpropamide and tolbutamide) in healthy volunteers. Fluconazole may be administered to diabetics together with sulphonylureas, but the risk of hypoglycemia should be considered.
Theophylline: Fluconazole 200 mg reduces theophylline clearance by 18 %. In patients receiving high doses of theophylline and concomitant treatment with fluconazole, theophylline toxicity should be taken into consideration, and the dose must be adjusted as necessary.
Trimetrexate: Fluconazole may inhibit the metabolism of trimetrexate, leading to increased trimetrexate plasma concentrations. If the combination cannot be avoided, trimetrexate serum levels and toxicity (bone marrow suppression, renal and hepatic dysfunction, and gastrointestinal ulceration) must be closely monitored.
Zidovudine: In interaction studies, AUC of zidovudine increased significantly by approximately 20 % and 70 % in concomitant treatment with fluconazole 200 mg and 400 mg per day respectively, probably due to inhibited glucuronidation. Patients receiving the combination should be monitored closely with regard to zidovudine related adverse reactions.

The effects of other drugs on fluconazole:

Hydrochlorthiazide: The plasma concentration of fluconazole increased by 40 % with concomitant administration of hydrochlorthiazide in healthy volunteers. An increase of this dimension does not necessitate adjustment in the dose of fluconazole capsules in patients undergoing treatment with diuretics, but the prescribing doctor should be aware of the fact.
Rifampicin (CYP450-inducers): Concomitant treatment with fluconazole (200 mg) and rifampicin (600 mg daily) reduced AUC for fluconazole by 23 % in healthy volunteers. An increase in the dose of fluconazole should be considered in combination treatment.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Data from several hundred pregnant women treated with standard doses of fluconazole (less than 200 mg/day) as a single repeated dose during the first trimester of pregnancy, does not indicate undesirable effects on the foetus.

There are reports on multiple congenital abnormalities (including brachycephalia, ears dysplasia, giant anterior fontanelle, femoral bowing and radio-humeral synostosis) in children whose mothers were being treated for 3 or more months with high dose (400–800 mg/day) fluconazole therapy for coccidioidomycosis. The relationship between fluconazole and these events is unclear.

Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3 Preclinical safety data), but the potential risk in humans is unknown.

Fluconazole in standard doses and short-term treatment should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Fluconazole in high doses or in prolonged regimens should not be used during pregnancy except for life threatening infections.

Breast-feeding

Fluconazole passes into breast milk in concentrations lower than those in plasma. Breast-feeding may be maintained after a single dose of fluconazole of 200mg or less. Breast-feeding is not recommended after repeated use of high-dose fluconazole.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Fluconazole has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However when driving vehicles or operating machines it should be taken into account that occasionally dizziness or seizures may occur.

Undesirable effects

In clinical trials, up to 10% have experienced adverse reactions.

Approximately 1% discontinued the treatment due to adverse reactions.

The following treatment-related undesirable effects were reported in 4,048 patients receiving fluconazole for 7 or more days in clinical trials:

Very common > 1/10

Common > 1/100, < 1/10

Uncommon > 1/1,000, < 1/100

Rare > 1/10,000, < 1/1,000

Blood and lymphatic system:

Uncommon: Anaemia

Immune system:

Rare: Anaphylaxis

Psychiatric:

Uncommon: Insomnia, somnolence

Central and peripheral nervous system:

Common: Headache

Uncommon: Convulsion, dizziness, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo

Autonomic nervous system:

Uncommon: Dry mouth, increased sweating

Special senses:

Uncommon: Taste perversion

Gastrointestinal:

Common: Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea

Uncommon: Anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence

Hepato-biliary:

Common: Clinically significant increase of AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatise

Uncommon: Cholestasis, hepatocellular damage, jaundice, clinically significant

Rare: Hepatic necrosis

Skin and appendages:

Common: Skin rash

Uncommon: Pruritis

Rare: Exfoliative skin disorder

Musculoskeletal:

Uncommon: Myalgia

General:

Uncommon: Fatigue, malaise, asthenia, fever

Adverse clinical events were reported more frequently in HIV infected patients (21%) than in nonHIV infected patients (13%). However, the patterns of adverse events in HIV infected and non-HIV infected patients were similar.

The following additional adverse events possibly causally related to the use of fluconazole have been observed after the receipt of the marketing authorisation:

Blood and lymphatic system

Leucopenia, including neutropenia and agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia

Immune system

Angiooedema, face oedema, itching, urticaria

Metabolism and nutrition

Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypokalemia

Nervous system

Seizures

Cardiac

Prolonged-QT, torsades de points

Hepatobilary

Hepatic failure, hepatitis

Skin and appendages

Alopecia, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website:or by or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Overdose

Toxicity:

Experience of overdose is limited for fluconazole. 1000mg administered to an adult did not result in symptoms. 8200mg administered to an adult, caused hallucinations and paranoid reaction. The patient was hospitalised and within 48 hours the patient’s condition was normal.

Symptoms

Increased adverse reactions (headache, gastrointestinal symptoms), possibly hallucinations.

Treatment

Where justified, gastric lavage. Symptomatic treatment. Fluconazole is mainly excreted in the urine. Forced volume diuresis will probably increase the elimination rate. A 3-hour hemodialysis session reduced plasma levels by approximately 50 %.

Pharmacological Properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antimycotics for systemic use, triazole derivatives.

ATC-code: J02AC01

Fluconazole is a triaozole derivative with fungistatic effect, which specifically inhibits synthesis of the fungi’s ergosterol, which leads to defects in the cell membrane. Fluconazole has a high degree of specificity for the fungal cytochrome P-450 dependent enzymes. At a dose of 50 mg daily for 28 days, fluconazole has not been shown to influence serum levels of testosterone in men or the steroid concentration in fertile women.

Fluconazole 200–400mg daily has no clinically significant effect on endogenous steroid levels or on ACTH stimulated response in healthy male volunteers. Interaction studies with antipyrine indicate that single or multiple doses of fluconazole 50 mg do not affect its metabolism.

The spectrum activity includes a number of pathogens including Candida albicans and other candidaspecies, Cryptococcus species and dermatophytes. Candida krusei is resistant to fluconazole. Candida glabrata has a naturally reduced sensitivity to fluconazole, approximately 40 % of the isolates are resistant to fluconazole. Infections resulting from aspergillusspecies should not be treated with fluconazole.

Pharmacokinetic properties

The pharmacokinetic properties are similar following oral and intravenous administration. The bioavailability of fluconazole following oral administration is in excess of 90%. The degree of absorption is not affected by concomitant food intake. Maximum serum concentration is generally reached after 0.5 to 1.5 hours.

Distribution

The serum concentration is proportional to the dose. Binding to plasma proteins is approximately 12 %. The volume of distribution approximates total body water 0.7l/kg. Clearance is 0.253 ml/min/kg. The half-life is approximately 30 hours, at which steady state levels are achieved after 4–5 days of repeated dosing.

Where the dose is doubled on the first day of treatment, a steady-state level of approximately 90% is reached on day 2.

Fluconazole has demonstrated good penetration to various body fluids. The concentration in saliva and sputum is equal to that in plasma. The concentration in cerebrospinal fluid is 80 % of the plasma level in patients with meningitis resulting from fungal infection.

High skin concentrations of fluconazole, well above serum concentrations, have been achieved in the stratum corneum, epidermis-dermis and in eccrine sweat. Fluconazole accumulated in the stratum corneum. At a dose of 150 mg once weekly, and after two doses of fluconazole, the concentration was 23.4_9/g and 7.1_g/g a week later.

Metabolism

Fluconazole is metabolised only to a small degree. Only 11% of radioactively labelled dose is excreted in urine in changed form.

Elimination

Fluconazole is primarily excreted via the kidneys. 80 % of the dose appears, unchanged in the urine. In addition to renal excretion, approximately 10 % of the dose is excreted in the form of metabolites.

Fluconazole clearance is proportional to creatinine clearance,

Pharmacokinetics in Children

The plasma elimination half-life of fluconazole is approximately 20 hours in children after the neonatal period, and the distribution volume is approximately 1l/kg.

Prematures have a longer fluconazole plasma elimination half-life (approximately 70 hours) and a larger distribution volume (1.2–2.3 l/kg) compared with children born at calculated date of delivery. During the first weeks after birth, the plasma clearance of fluconazole increased and the plama elimination half-life decreases.

Pre-clinical safety data

Preclinical data from conventional studies on repeat-dose/general toxicity, genotoxicity or carcinogenicity indicate no special hazard for humans not already considered in other sections of the SPC.

In reproduction toxicity studies in rat, an increased incidence of hydronephrosis and extension of renal pelvis was reported and embryonal lethality was increased. An increase in anatomical variations and delayed ossification was noted as well as prolonged delivery and dystocia. In reproduction toxicity studies in rabbits, abortions were recorded.

Pharmaceutical Particulars

Sodium Chloride

Water for Injections

Incompatibilites

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

Shelf-life

4 years

Special precautions for use

Do not freeze

Nature and contents of container

Solution for infusion in 100mL clear Type 1 transparent glass vials, with bromobutyl stopper and aluminium/polypropylene flip-off cap.

Pack Sizes: one 100mL vial per pack

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

The solution should be visually inspected prior to use and only clear solutions without particles, should be used.

The infusion contains no preservatives. For single use only. Any remaining solution should be disposed of, in accordance with local requirements.