Yeast Infection Pill: Which Yeast Infection Medication Is Best? - GoodRx (2024)

A yeast infection is a fungal infection that can cause vagin*l itching and burning, as well as a thick, white, and clumpy discharge. While Candida albicans is a fungus normally found in the vagin*l flora, an overgrowth of it can lead to vagin*l yeast infections. Yeast infection pills, such as Diflucan (fluconazole), are effective in treating vagin*l yeast infections and restoring the balance between natural bacteria and yeast.

Stick with us, as we explore why yeast infection pills are a popular treatment choice for yeast infections. Specifically, we’ll cover what Diflucan is, how it works, its typical dosage, and the potential side effects it can cause. To help you figure out which treatment option is best for you, we’ll also look at how yeast infection pills stack up against topical antifungal medications available over the counter (OTC).

Benefits of yeast infection pills

While there are several options available to help treat yeast infections — including pills and OTC topical creams — many people prefer yeast infection pills. This is because they tend to be less messy and easier to use than creams.

There are several upsides of yeast infection pills, which we’ve outlined below:

• They are extremely effective in eliminating fungal infections.

• A one dose pill is usually all that is necessary to clear an infection.

• Resistance to Diflucan (fluconazole) is not very common.

• The generic fluconazole as a single dose is typically less expensive than OTC yeast infection medications.

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of yeast infection pills overall, let’s take a closer look at Diflucan (fluconazole).

What is Diflucan?

Diflucan is a common yeast infection pill that treats fungal infections. In addition to treating vagin*l yeast infections, Diflucan can be used for fungal infections of the mouth, lungs, and blood. It is also prescribed to prevent fungal infections in individuals who have lower immunity, including people living with cancer or HIV.

Diflucan works by damaging the cell wall of the fungus that causes the infection. This makes it more difficult for fungi like Candida to multiply further.

Diflucan dosage

The most common Diflucan dosage for a vagin*l yeast infection is a single 150 mg oral pill. One dose of Diflucan is usually all it takes to cure a yeast infection. This is because the medication stays in vagin*l secretions for at least 72 hours.

In certain people who have symptoms that persist after 1 dose of Diflucan, a further dose can be taken every 3 days for a total of 3 doses. Sometimes, it may be necessary for them to continue taking it once a week for up to a year, or even longer. If you have a vagin*l yeast infection and don’t notice any improvement in your symptoms despite treatment, speak to a healthcare provider first. They can help you determine whether or not your Diflucan dosage needs to be increased.

If Diflucan isn’t working well for you or if you tend to get yeast infections frequently, the FDA approved a yeast infection pill called Brexafemme (ibrexafungerp), which can be an alternate option. The dosage includes 4 pills taken over 24 hours. Brexafemme is not yet available as a lower-cost generic. This is why Diflucan is still the preferred yeast infection pill.

Diflucan side effects

As with all medications, Diflucan can also cause potential side effects. Luckily, the side effects of Diflucan are usually minor. The most common ones are:

• Headache

• Nausea

• Abdominal discomfort

It is rare to have an allergic reaction to Diflucan. But it’s important to get medical attention right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Fever

• Rash

• Swelling

• Hives

• Blisters of the skin

Yeast infection pills vs. OTC creams: Which is better?

Diflucan and the OTC creams both work more than 90% of the time. So, ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on which yeast infection medication you’re more comfortable using. Other considerations that might impact your decision include:

• Whether or not the medication requires a prescription

• How quickly you need relief

• Cost

Let’s take a look at how yeast infection pills compare to topical creams:

How to save on Diflucan

Diflucan is available as a lower-cost generic (fluconazole), and most insurance plans cover it.

With a free GoodRx coupon, 2 fluconazole 150 mg tablets can cost as little as $8.80 at certain pharmacies. And a 14-day supply of fluconazole 100 mg tablets could cost as low as $11.33. A bottle of fluconazole 40 mg/mL oral liquid can cost a little as $28.90 at certain pharmacies with a GoodRx coupon.