Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Cheryl Mearig, PharmD.
In this article
Sometimes, medications have adverse, even dangerous, side effects when mixed with other substances. This is why it’s important to know how the medications you are taking will react with other substances you might consume.
Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:
Answer a few questions to get started
Fluconazole is an FDA-approved medication that belongs to a class of drugs called azole antifungals.
Doctors prescribe fluconazole to treat various fungal infections of the:
Doctors may also prescribe fluconazole to prevent fungal infections in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation before bone marrow transplants.
Fluconazole is available as a tablet or suspension to be taken orally. You may see fluconazole marketed under the name Diflucan.
Fluconazole stops the enzyme responsible for the growth of the fungal cell membrane.
While it is typically effective in fighting yeasts, such as Candida and Cryptococcus, it is not effective in treating all strains of fungal infections. These infections may require alternate antifungal therapy.
Technically, yes. There are no known interactions between fluconazole and alcohol. However, when taking medication, be mindful of drinking alcohol in moderation, you should be mindful of drinking alcohol in moderation when taking medication.
Although fluconazole may not interact with alcohol, it can negatively interact with certain drugs. Speak to your doctor before taking fluconazole if you’re on antibiotics, blood thinners, sedatives, diuretics, or antiseizure drugs.
Drinking alcohol can change the microorganisms in your intestine. People with chronic alcohol use show a large increase in intestinal Candida.
Alcohol is linked to several illnesses and diseases, such as liver damage. It can also weaken the body’s immune defenses.
While alcohol may not interact directly with fluconazole, it can cause your body to heal slower or exacerbate drug side effects, such as headache, upset stomach, and drowsiness.
Alcohol does not make fluconazole less effective. However, you should not drink alcohol if you feel sick or uncomfortable while fighting a fungal infection. Alcohol can worsen the infection.
Fluconazole is generally well tolerated, but adverse effects have been reported.
Some of the common side effects of fluconazole include:
Seek medical attention immediately if you have difficulty breathing or swelling of the mouth or throat. This may indicate a severe allergic reaction.
They’ll connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol use disorder, seek medical help. Treatment is available.
Some treatment options include:
In this article
