Comprehensive medication guide to Fluconazole including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic fluconazole; typically Tier 1–2 on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans. Prior authorization rarely required for standard indications. Medicare Part D copay often $0–$8.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$4–$25 retail for generic fluconazole tablets depending on dose and quantity; as low as $3.31–$3.49 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for the most common doses (including a single 150 mg tablet for yeast infections).
Medfinder Findability Score
90/100
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Fluconazole is a triazole antifungal medication used to treat and prevent a wide range of fungal infections. It is available as the brand-name drug Diflucan (manufactured by Pfizer) and as widely available generic fluconazole. The drug was first approved by the FDA on January 29, 1990, and has become one of the most prescribed antifungals in the world.
The World Health Organization includes fluconazole on its Model List of Essential Medicines, recognizing its critical importance in treating life-threatening fungal infections, particularly cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients. Fluconazole is FDA-approved to treat vaginal candidiasis, oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, candidemia, and other serious Candida infections. It is also used prophylactically in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
Fluconazole is available in oral tablet form (50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg), oral suspension (10 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL), and intravenous solution for hospitalized patients. The single 150 mg oral dose for uncomplicated vaginal yeast infections makes it one of the most convenient single-dose prescription treatments available.
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Fluconazole works by targeting a key enzyme called lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (ERG11/CYP51) that fungi need to produce ergosterol — the primary sterol in the fungal cell membrane. Ergosterol is analogous to cholesterol in human cells and is essential for maintaining the fungal membrane's structure and function.
By inhibiting this enzyme, fluconazole prevents the fungus from building a stable cell membrane. Without ergosterol, abnormal sterols accumulate, the membrane becomes dysfunctional, and the fungus cannot grow or reproduce. Fluconazole is primarily fungistatic (stops growth) rather than fungicidal (kills directly), relying on the patient's immune system to clear the weakened fungal infection.
The drug's selectivity is its key safety advantage — the human equivalent of the ERG11 enzyme is far less sensitive to fluconazole than the fungal enzyme, allowing fluconazole to target fungal cells while leaving human cells relatively unaffected. Fluconazole also inhibits human CYP enzymes (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4) in the liver, which is the source of its many drug-drug interactions.
50 mg — tablet
Low-dose tablet; used for certain prophylaxis and pediatric dosing
100 mg — tablet
Used for maintenance dosing in oropharyngeal candidiasis and UTIs
150 mg — tablet
Standard single-dose treatment for uncomplicated vaginal yeast infections
200 mg — tablet
Loading dose and high-dose treatment for serious infections
10 mg/mL — oral suspension
Liquid form for patients who cannot swallow tablets; pediatric use
40 mg/mL — oral suspension
Higher concentration liquid form for pediatric and tube-feeding patients
200 mg/100 mL — IV infusion
Intravenous form for hospitalized patients
400 mg/200 mL — IV infusion
High-dose IV form for serious systemic infections
Fluconazole is generally one of the most accessible prescription drugs in the United States. It is not on the FDA's drug shortage list as of 2026, and dozens of generic manufacturers supply the market, keeping availability robust at the national level. Most major chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco) and supermarket pharmacies routinely stock the 150 mg tablet.
Localized stock gaps can still occur — particularly for the oral suspension formulations (10 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL), which are less commonly stocked, and for higher-dose tablets used for complex infections. Independent or rural pharmacies may run out temporarily during periods of high demand.
If your pharmacy is out of stock, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to identify which ones can fill your prescription, texting you the results. This is the fastest way to locate fluconazole in stock without spending time on hold.
Fluconazole is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber can prescribe it without special DEA registration or quantity restrictions. It can be prescribed by:
Telehealth is widely available for uncomplicated infections. Platforms like Wisp, Teladoc, MDLive, and Hims & Hers can prescribe fluconazole for vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush through online consultations, often on the same day, making access faster and more convenient for most patients.
No. Fluconazole is not a controlled substance under the DEA Controlled Substances Act. It is classified as a prescription-only medication, meaning you need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to obtain it, but there are no federal restrictions on quantities, refill limits, or prescribing methods.
Prescriptions for fluconazole can be issued electronically (e-prescribe), called in to the pharmacy, faxed, or written on a paper prescription. Patients can receive refills without restrictions, and the prescription can be easily transferred between pharmacies without additional paperwork. Long-term prophylaxis prescriptions can be written for 90-day supplies through mail-order pharmacies.
Common side effects (occurring in ≥1% of patients):
Serious side effects (seek immediate medical attention):
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Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Broader-spectrum azole covering Aspergillus and some resistant Candida; more GI side effects; boxed warning in heart failure; food/absorption requirements differ.
Voriconazole (Vfend)
Second-generation azole for resistant Candida and Aspergillus; unique side effects including visual disturbances; CYP2C19 genetic variability affects dosing; more expensive.
Clotrimazole (Mycelex, Lotrimin)
Topical/local azole antifungal; OTC available for skin and vaginal candidiasis; not absorbed systemically; first-line alternative for mild uncomplicated yeast infections.
Nystatin
Polyene antifungal for local oral and vaginal candidiasis; not absorbed systemically; excellent safety profile; safe in pregnancy; requires multiple daily doses.
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Warfarin
majorFluconazole strongly inhibits CYP2C9, raising warfarin levels and INR. Monitor INR closely; warfarin dose adjustment likely needed.
Cisapride
majorContraindicated. Fluconazole increases cisapride levels, causing potentially fatal QT prolongation and torsade de pointes.
Pimozide
majorContraindicated. Fluconazole raises pimozide levels markedly, causing dangerous QT prolongation.
Phenytoin
majorFluconazole inhibits phenytoin metabolism via CYP2C9. Monitor phenytoin levels; toxicity risk.
Cyclosporine
majorFluconazole significantly raises cyclosporine levels via CYP3A4 inhibition. Monitor levels; nephrotoxicity risk.
Simvastatin
majorFluconazole raises simvastatin levels via CYP3A4 inhibition; myopathy and rhabdomyolysis risk.
Amiodarone
moderateAdditive QT prolongation risk. Use with caution, especially at high fluconazole doses.
Citalopram
moderateFluconazole inhibits citalopram metabolism; increased QT prolongation and serotonin syndrome risk.
Rifampin
moderateRifampin induces fluconazole metabolism, reducing its effectiveness. Higher fluconazole doses may be needed.
Midazolam
moderateFluconazole increases midazolam levels via CYP3A4 inhibition; prolonged and enhanced sedation.
Fluconazole is one of medicine's most important antifungal agents — a single-dose oral pill that can resolve a yeast infection in days, and a lifesaving treatment for patients with HIV-related cryptococcal meningitis. Its combination of efficacy, safety, oral bioavailability, and remarkably low cost makes it a first-line choice for a broad range of fungal infections.
The main clinical challenges in 2026 are growing antifungal resistance (particularly Candida auris and resistant C. glabrata), the drug's significant interaction profile via CYP enzyme inhibition, and safety concerns in pregnancy. Providers and patients should be aware of these considerations when using fluconazole.
If you're having difficulty finding fluconazole at your local pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to identify which ones have your specific dose in stock — and text you the results. With generic fluconazole available for as little as $3–5 with a coupon, cost should rarely be a barrier to access.
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