Antifungal resistance has become a growing concern globally with over 25 million at serious risk of fatality or irreparable disability. Whether it's a yeast infection like vaginal candidiasis, yeast growth, or various fungal infections, fluconazole and alcohol abuse—or combining alcohol and other antifungal medications—seem to add to the equation.
Transcend Recovery Community is here to look deeper into how this combination may escalate into a full-blown abuse and what you should know if you suffer from it. Read on to find out more.
Is It Safe to Take Fluconazole with Alcohol?
Although medical experts note that there are no known interactions between fluconazole and alcohol, combining alcohol with fluconazole is still not a good idea. A vital reason for this is that drinking alcohol may influence the environment in your gut and change the levels of organisms found in your large intestine.
People who have abused alcohol for longer periods are said to have a significant increase in intestinal Candida. Exposure to particular types of foods may also interact with the yeast levels in your system which could worsen Candida infections too.
Taking alcohol while on medication isn't a good idea because it alters your state of mind. When you are inebriated with alcohol, you lose control of your senses and your mental faculties which can lead to injuries and accidents.
Alcohol use may also bring forth adverse effects to your body that could not only lead to intense stomach pain but bring untreatable liver disease and even a severe allergic reaction in rare cases for some people.
It's better to finish your treatment course before taking alcohol or let your body rid itself of alcohol before deciding to take medicine for fungal infections, as chronic alcohol abuse may have a long half-life.
You should also check the drug information of any medication your read, especially if it's going to be a part of your treatment options to ensure medical and drug safety at all times.
What is Fluconazole (Diflucan)?
Fluconazole is the generic name of an FDA-approved medication that is known under the brand name "Diflucan." It can help in the following infections:
- Yeast infections such as:
- vaginal yeast infections
- Candida infections
- vaginal candidiasis
- yeast overgrowth
- urinary tract infections
- cryptococcal meningitis
- esophageal infections
- oral infections
Fluconazole works by stopping the development of the fungal cell membrane. It's commonly prescribed for the treatment of various fungal infections as well and to avoid fungal infections for people receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy pre-bone marrow transplants.
Side Effects of Fluconazole
There are common, uncommon, and serious side effects linked to Fluconazole use. Some of the common side effects include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain/upset stomach
- Changes in taste perception
- Rashes
- Dizziness
- Feeling sick
Serious side effects include:
- liver toxicity
- Severe skin rash especially in individuals with a compromised immune system
- Torsades de pointes (a life-threatening heart rhythm condition that causes palpitations, fainting, seizures, and a fast irregular heartbeat)
People suffering from severe side effects must consult with their doctor immediately to ensure the safety of the drug, especially if it interacts negatively with their system and multiple substance use issues are noted. Additionally, alcohol may worsen this and could bring more damage than the supposed treatment.
What Are the Risks of Drinking while on Diflucan?
Like the effect you would get from consuming Keppra & alcohol, taking fluconazole while drinking alcohol poses serious risks that could affect your health in many ways imaginable. Here are the risks you'll get from drinking while on Diflucan:
- Liver failure problems - As with many drugs, you might incur serious liver problems or liver damage long-term if you continuously use this, especially with alcohol, as your liver will be burdened even more in metabolizing substances and getting rid of liver toxicity caused by the dangerous combination of alcohol and fluconazole (Diflucan).
- Cardiovascular problems - When you drink alcohol, your blood pressure may increase. If taken at unhealthy and excessive levels, you may risk developing high blood pressure that may progress into cardiovascular issues in the future. Alcohol use raises the stakes of also developing irregular heart rhythms that could be life-threatening, if untreated.
- Overdose potential - Drinking alcohol while taking Diflucan has a huge potential of developing into an overdose, more so as the drug can cause a person to lose inhibitions and control, which may lead to taking drugs and other drugs excessively.
When any of these risks develop when an individual encounters major issues with drinking alcohol while taking fluconazole, they must seek medical attention immediately and inform their attending physician about this.
Is There Fluconazole (Diflucan) Abuse?
Drug addiction or Diflucan abuse happens in many forms and situations. It may not always involve intentional drug addiction, especially by engaging in fluconazole misuse on top of pre-existing substance abuse problems.
A person may suffer from drug abuse just by simply not following fluconazole according to its proper treatment prescription. People who also take it excessively and unintentionally engage in antifungal medication misuse may also be considered for such abusive behavior.
As antibiotic/antiviral misuse is prevalent and is the main cause of resistance to known viruses and fungal infections, it can lead to people having worsening conditions. Individuals must first understand how antifungal drugs like fluconazole work to avoid these problems.
When Diflucan abuse happens, you are also targeting your overall health by developing a weakened immune system susceptible to a fungal infection or even multiple fungal infections. To avoid this, a person must first understand that they have a problem.
Mixing alcohol on top of drug misuse also makes things even more complicated. In some cases, interventions may be needed to help an individual out of their situation. To successfully achieve this, the concerned family members and close friends must work closely with a health care professional in helping an individual.
An inpatient or outpatient drug rehab program is just one of the treatment options a person can get better and recover from their drug abuse problems.
Can Transcend Recovery Help with Fluconazole and Alcohol Abuse
People receiving treatment for alcohol and drug addiction from a treatment center can find supplemental mental health support from Transcend Recovery Community. We know how crucial undergoing a treatment program is for a patient, and how challenging it is to stay committed and focused while undergoing recovery.
Our sober living and halfway house residences provide a silent refuge and a place of hope for these people. Through our dedicated and trained staff and fellow residents, they can learn how to cope with their challenges and adapt to a newer and more sober way of living. They can also have an enriched life through the various life skills training and development we instill in them under our guidance.
You can learn more about what we can do for you today. Simply contact us and our Recovery Specialist will get in touch with you right away. Together, let's work on achieving life-long sobriety.
