Fluconazole is an antifungal medication used for a number of fungal infections.^[2] This includes candidiasis, blastomycosis, coccidiodomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, dermatophytosis, and pityriasis versicolor.^[2] It is also used to prevent candidiasis in those who are at high risk such as following organ transplantation, low birth weight babies, and those with low blood neutrophil counts.^[2] It is given either by mouth or by injection into a vein.^[2]

Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and increased liver enzymes.^[2] Serious side effects may include liver problems, QT prolongation, and seizures.^[2] During pregnancy it may increase the risk of miscarriage while large doses may cause birth defects.^[3][2] Fluconazole is in the azole antifungal family of medication.^[2] It is believed to work by affecting the fungal cellular membrane.^[2]

Fluconazole was patented in 1981 and came into commercial use in 1988.^[4] It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.^[5] Fluconazole is available as a generic medication.^[2] The wholesale cost in the developing world is about US$0.05–0.10 per day.^[6] In the United States the wholesale price is about US$1.14–1.75 per day as of 2016.^[7] In 2016 it was the 173rd most prescribed medication in the United States with more than 3 million prescriptions