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What Is Fluconazole Used For?
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from eMedTV.comFluconazole belongs to a group of drugs known commonly as "azole" antifungals. It works by inhibiting an enzyme that is used by fungal cells to make ergosterol, an important component of the fungal cell membrane. As a result, there is not enough ergosterol and too much of the compounds that are normally used to make it, and fungal growth is inhibited.
This medication is approved for use in children. It has been shown to be safe and effective in children as young as six months old. Talk with your child's healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using fluconazole in children.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend fluconazole for something other than the uses discussed in this article. Using fluconazole for any other infection or any other type of fungus, or to prevent any type of infection in people other than bone marrow transplant recipients, would be considered off-label uses.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD