Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking fluconazole

Fluconazole may sometimes be prescribed during pregnancy but only if other treatments have not worked.

If you have thrush, your GP will probably prescribe clotrimazole, or a similar antifungal medicine, first. This may be as a cream or as a soft tablet (a pessary) that you put into your vagina.

If the thrush does not go away, you should discuss the risks and benefits of taking an oral treatment for thrush with your GP.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take fluconazole when you're breastfeeding.

There is not much information about how much fluconazole passes into breast milk, but information shows that the amounts are fairly high compared to most other medicines. However, the amounts are still lower than doses used to treat babies who have a fungal infection themselves.

It's been used for many years without side effects in breastfed babies. Occasionally, mild side effects have been reported, such as being sick or diarrhoea.

Fluconazole is sometimes used to treat a fungal infection of the breast, known as breast candidiasis. However, the amount that passes into breast milk is not enough to treat the baby if they also have a fungal infection. Your baby will need their own treatment.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or has an upset stomach such as being sick or diarrhoea, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your midwife, health visitor, pharmacist or doctor.

There is no evidence to suggest that fluconazole reduces fertility in either men or women.

Tell your doctor if you're:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding