Prescription Drugs Used to Treat Yeast Infections
There are several over the counter treatments used to treat yeast infections, some women are more comfortable going to the doctors office and getting a prescription to treat the uncomfortable condition. Doctors especially like to prescribe this drug for women who are breastfeeding an infant.
One of the medications a doctor might prescribe is a drug called Fluconazole. Fluconazole is a synthetic anti-fungal medication that has been very successful at treating yeast infections in women and men. Fluconazole is taken orally, but in some situations it can be administered intravenously. Fluconazole works by preventing the fungus from reproducing, but it does not kill the fungus, the down side is that it takes a little while to work but it doesn't kill the fungus that the body needs to function.
Most people are able to take Fluconazole without being bothered by side affects, that doesn't mean that there aren't any side affects. Common side affects to Fluconazole include headaches, food tasteinf differently, dizziness, heartburn, diarrhea, and stomach pains. Severe side affects are extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, unusual bruising and bleeding, itching, appetite loss, hives, pain, rash, flu symptoms, dark urine, and seizures. There has been no indication that a nursing infant will be dosed with Fluconazole through breast milk. A two week prescriptions of Fluconazole can cost as much as three hundred and fifty dollars.
Another drug that can be dosed either orally or intravenously is Itraconazole. Itraconazole is typically taken orally for three months. When taken orally it is administered in the form of a small blue capsule that measures 22mm, each capsule equals 100mgs. A moderate dose of Itraconazole is two hundred mg's a day, but for severe infections doctors will recommend taking as much as four hundred mg's. Itraconazole's brand name is Sporanox, there is not a generic form of Itraconazole available on the market. People with severe infections can spend as much as one thousand dollars on their Itraconazole prescription. If you are taking Itraconazole you should store the drug in an air tight container at room temperature. Mothers who are breast feeding should avoid using Itraconazole. Side affects that are commonly experienced by people who are taking Itraconazole include fatigue, rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, and edema. More severe side affects include hepatitis, elevated blood pressure, and liver enzyme elevation.
Another anti-fungal drug the requires a doctors prescription is Keroconazole. Keroconazole should not be taken by women who are breastfeeding or by women who are pregnant. Children should not take Keronconazole. The medication that uses the drug Keroconazole as its active ingredient is Nizoral. Patients can take Keroconazole with or without eating first. Keronconazole is available in caplets, shampoo, and a cream. If you are taking anti-acids at the same time you are on Keronconazole make sure you don't mix the two, take your anti-acid at least two hours after taking the Keronconazole. Side affects of Ketoconazole can include abdominal pain, headaches, rash, itching, nausea/vomiting, abnormal blood count, severe depression, shock, low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue, and impotence.
Before your doctor prescribes a prescription drug to treat your yeast infection tell them about any medications you are already taking. If you start taking a medication and experince severe side effects contact your doctor immediatly.
