Azoles
Opportunisitic yeasts: Candida albicans, Candida tropcialis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata (variable activity)
Dermatophytes: variable activity
Dimorphic moulds: Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Parracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenkii, Penicillium marneffei (variable activity)
Inhibits fungal cytochrome P450 3A dependent enzyme, decreases ergosterol synthesis and inhibits cell membrane formation.
AUC:MIC of the pathogen strongly correlates with efficacy in Candida species. This may vary in differing species.
Tmax: 1-2 hours; Cmax:10mcg/ml; Vd: 0.7 – 0.8 L/Kg; Total Clearance: 0.23 ml/min/Kg; Table 2
Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Cardiovascular System: pallor, angioedema
Central Nervous System: headache, dizziness
Endocrine: hypertriglyceridemia, hypokalemia
Hepatic: hepatic failure, hepatitis, abnormal LFTs
Respiratory: dyspnea
Hematologic: thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
Dermatologic: skin rashes, alopecia
Infusion: 2 mg/mL (100 mL, 200 mL)
Powder for oral suspension: 10 mg/mL (35 mL), 40 mg/mL (35 mL)
Tablet: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
Invasive infections:
Adults: prophylaxis - 100 to 400 mg once daily;
Treatment - 400 to 800 mg once daily
Pediatric patients: prophylaxis: 3 to 6 mg/kg once daily
treatment: 6 to 12 mg/kg once daily
Premature neonates: prophylaxis - 72 hour dosing interval at the same dosage as older children for first two weeks of life, followed by a dosing interval of 48 hours during week 3 and 4
Disease state based dosing:
Renal failure: 50% dosage reduction in patients with CrCl 50-21 ml/min
75% dosage reduction in patients with CrCl < 21 ml/min
Initial loading dose does not need to be adjusted.
Hepatic failure: Unnecessary, however, thoughtful use of fluconazole with close monitoring of toxicity is warranted under these circumstances due to hepatic metabolism.
Dosing during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
CVVH (Continuous venovenous hemofiltration): 200-400mg q24h
CVVHD (Continuous venovenous hemodialysis): 400-800mg q24h
CVVHDF (Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration) 400-800mg q24h
Note: CVVH is mainly for fluid removal alone. Many institutions will employ more CVVHD or CVVHDF which combine dialysis with fluid removal.
Note: A dose of 800mg is appropriate if the dialysate flow rate is and/or if treating fungal species with relative azole resistance such as C. glabrata
Contraindications/Warnings/Precautions:
Contraindications: Concurrent administration with astemizole or cisapride
Precautions: Should be used in caution in patients with renal and hepatic dysfunction or previous hepatotoxicity from other azole derivatives.
Fluconazole is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme system. Caution should be exercised and monitoring is suggested when concomitantly administering fluconazole with drugs that have narrow therapeutic windows and are substrates of the CYP3A4 substrates.
Category D: Risk established, but benefits may outweigh risk.
Monitoring Requirements:
Periodic liver function tests and renal function tests