How long does the fluconazole stays in your body?

Question

I'm taking fluconazole (diflucan) to treat a yeast infection and my doctor told me that fluconazole can lower the efficiency of birth control pills. How long after I took the fluconazole will the birth control have the same effect?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Short answer: use backup birth control at least until you have your next period.

Long answer:
According to Diflucan prescribing information, the effect on oral contraceptives is variable, in some patients the birth control may actually increase in concentration, but in some other patients, the birth control levels may actually decrease. It is also important to note that fluconazole has a very long half-life, so it may remain effective in the body for over a week. So here's the issue, it is possible that the fluconazole would decrease the birth control effectiveness long enough for you to ovulate at any point for about a week after taking the Diflucan. Add to this the time that you may remain fertile afterwards, and you end up with an extremely variable window that you could become pregnant.

I hope this helps!

Source(s):

Diflucan package insert:
http://www.pfizer.com/pfizer/download/us…

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thank you. That was very helpful.

Answer 2

I have not found here any information about birth control
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugi…
http://www.medicinenet.com/fluconazole/a…
http://www.drugs.com/diflucan.html
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdru…

I have read all of it lol and no mention of the birth control pills, maybe you could ask in any of the sites or the manufacture res themselves (on the user instruction there is always a phone number)