Diflucan vs. Monistat

• Are Diflucan and Monistat the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Diflucan?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Monistat?
• What Is Diflucan?
• What Is Monistat?
• What Drugs Interact with Diflucan?
• What Drugs Interact with Monistat?
• How Should Diflucan Be Taken?
• How Should Monistat Be Taken?

Diflucan (fluconazole) and Monistat (miconazole) are antifungal medications used to treat Candida fungal infections.

Diflucan is also used to treat fungal meningitis and may be prescribed to ward off fungal infections in patients being treated with chemotherapy or radiation before a bone marrow transplant.

Monistat is available over-the-counter (OTC) and in generic form.

Diflucan is an oral medication and Monistat is a topical cream

Common side effects of Diflucan include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• stomach or abdominal pain,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• heartburn,
• loss of appetite, and
• allergic reactions including skin inflammation, itching, rash, and unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Common side effects of Monistat include:

• burning,
• stinging,
• swelling,
• irritation,
• redness,
• pimple-like bumps,
• tenderness,
• itching,
• pain, or flaking of the treated skin;
• headache,
• burning/itching/pain in the vagina or urinary opening;
• an increased need to urinate, or
• lower abdominal cramps.

Diflucan (fluconazole) is an antifungal medication prescribed to treat Candida fungal infections of the mouth, vagina, esophagus, lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, and other organs. Diflucan is also used to treat fungal meningitis and may be prescribed to ward off fungal infections in patients being treated with chemotherapy or radiation before a bone marrow transplant.

Monistat Vaginal Cream (miconazole nitrate vaginal cream) is an azole antifungal medication used to treat vaginal candida (yeast) infections. Some formulations of this medication are available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC).

Diflucan may interact with blood thinners or seizure medications.

Diflucan may also interact with alfentanil, fentanyl, clopidogrel, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, methadone, pimozide, prednisone, saquinavir, zidovudine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, theophylline, voriconazole, antidepressants, cancer medicines, cholesterol lowering medicines, heart or blood pressure medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oral diabetes medications, rifabutin, rifampin, or sedatives.

Monistat Vaginal Cream may adversely interact with warfarin, oral antibiotics, or drugs that suppress the immune system. Discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor. This medication should be used only when advised by your doctor during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Diflucan is available in several strengths and comes as a tablet (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg strength), liquid (350 or 1400 mg strength), or injection (2 mg per ml). Diflucan is taken once a day and may be taken for several weeks depending on the condition being treated.

Monistat Vaginal Cream is usually used once/daily at bedtime, and applied directly into the vagina. Read the instructions for application information.