What is the dose of Diflucan (fluconazole) for candida cystitis (fungal bladder infection)?

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From the Guidelines

For candida bladder infections, the recommended dose of Diflucan (fluconazole) is 200 mg daily for 2 weeks, as stated in the clinical practice guidelines for the management of candidiasis by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1. This dose is recommended for symptomatic cystitis due to fluconazole-susceptible Candida species. The treatment duration may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's response to treatment. Key points to consider include:

  • Completing the full course of treatment even if symptoms improve before it's finished
  • Increasing fluid intake during treatment to help flush the bladder
  • Monitoring for side effects, including headache, nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhea
  • Considering dose adjustment for patients with liver disease and checking for potential drug interactions, particularly with warfarin, oral hypoglycemics, and certain statins 1. It's essential to note that for fluconazole-resistant organisms, alternative therapies such as AmB-d or flucytosine may be recommended 1. In cases of pyelonephritis, the dose of fluconazole may be increased to 200-400 mg daily for 2 weeks 1. Overall, the treatment of candida bladder infections should be guided by the most recent clinical practice guidelines and tailored to the individual patient's needs and response to treatment.

From the FDA Drug Label

Urinary tract infections and peritonitis: For the treatment of Candida urinary tract infections and peritonitis, daily doses of 50 to 200 mg have been used in open, noncomparative studies of small numbers of patients. The recommended dose of Diflucan (fluconazole) for Candida bladder infection is 50 to 200 mg daily 2.

  • The dose may vary based on the patient's response to therapy and medical judgment.
  • The optimal therapeutic dosage and duration of therapy have not been established, but doses within this range have been used in small studies.

From the Research

Diflucan Dose in Candida Bladder Infection

  • The recommended dose of fluconazole for the treatment of symptomatic candidal urinary tract infection (UTI) is a 200-mg loading dose followed by 100 mg/d for at least four days 3.
  • Fluconazole is the antifungal agent of choice for Candida urinary tract infections, achieving high urine concentrations with the oral formulation 4, 5.
  • The choice of antifungal agent will depend upon the clinical status of the patient, the site of infection, and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the agent 5.
  • For patients with symptomatic Candida urinary tract infections, fluconazole is preferred due to its safety, achievement of high concentrations in the urine, and availability in both an oral and intravenous formulation 5.
  • The optimal dosing of fluconazole, including the most appropriate dose in non-albicans species of candida as well as the optimal duration of therapy, is still a topic of debate and requires further studies 3.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Fluconazole dose recommendation in urinary tract infection.

The Annals of pharmacotherapy, 2001

Research

Candida urinary tract infections: treatment options.

Expert review of anti-infective therapy, 2007

Research

Candida urinary tract infections--treatment.

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2011

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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