Forcan Tablets (Generic Diflucan) - Active Ingredient And Chemical structure
The active ingredient contained in Forcan Tablets (Generic Diflucan) is Fluconazole. Fluconazole is a white crystalline solid which is slightly soluble in water and saline. The structure is shown below
Generic Forms and Brand names of Diflucan
Forcan manufactured by Cipla Ltd., India is an effective treatment for Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections due to Candida), Oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis and Cryptococcal meningitis. Generic Diflucan which has the active ingredient Fluconazole is also sold as Trican, Alfumet or Candivast and under various other brand names.
Forcan Tablets - Uses
Fluconazole in the form of Forcan Tablets is used to treat
1. Genital candidiasis
(i)Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections due to Candida)
(ii)Candida balanitis
2. Mucosal candidiasis
(i)Oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis
(ii)Brochopulmonary infections
(iii)Candiduria
(iv)Mucocutaneous candidiasis
(v)chronic oral atrophic candidiasis (denture sore mouth)
3. Tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea versicolor and dermal Candida infections. Forcan tablets are not indicated for nail infections and tinea capitis.
4. Systemic candidiasis
(i)Candidaemia
(ii)Disseminated candidiasis
(iii)Peritonitis
(iv)Candidal infections of Endocardium, pulmonary and urinary tracts
(v)Candidal infections in patients with malignancy, in intensive care units or those receiving cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy may be treated
5. Cryptococcosis
(i)Cryptococcal meningitis and infections of other sites (e.g. pulmonary, cutaneous)
Forcan is also indicated to decrease the incidence of candidiasis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation who receive cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Forcan Tablets - Preparations
Forcan is available as tablets of 50 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg .
Forcan Tablets - Storage Requirements
Forcan Tablets are to be stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.
Forcan Tablets - Dosage
The recommended Adult dose to treat various indications is given below:
Vaginal candidiasis / balanitis: The recommended dosage of Forcan Tablets for vaginal candidiasis is 150 mg as a single oral dose.
Oropharyngeal candidiasis: The recommended dosage of Forcan Tablets for oropharyngeal candidiasis is 200 mg on the first day, followed by 100 mg once daily. Usually clinical evidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis resolves within several days, but treatment should be continued for at least 2 weeks to decrease the likelihood of relapse.
Esophageal candidiasis: The recommended dosage of Forcan tablets for esophageal candidiasis is 200 mg on the first day, followed by 100 mg once daily. Doses up to 400 mg/day may be used, based on medical judgment of the patient’s response to therapy. Patients with esophageal candidiasis should be treated for a minimum of three weeks and for at least two weeks following resolution of symptoms.
Brochopulmonary infections, Candiduria, Mucocutaneous candidiasis: The usual dose is 50mg once daily given for 14-30 days.
Tinea pedis, corporis, cruris, versicolor and dermal Candida infections: The recommended dosage is 50mg once daily. Duration of treatment is normally 2 to 4 weeks but tinea pedis may require treatment for up to 6 weeks. Duration of treatment should not exceed 6 weeks.
Systemic Candida infections: For systemic Candida infections including candidemia, disseminated candidiasis, and pneumonia, optimal therapeutic dosage and duration of therapy have not been established. In studies involving a small number of patients, doses of up to 400 mg daily have been used.
Urinary tract infections and peritonitis: For the treatment of Candida urinary tract infections and peritonitis, daily doses of 50-200 mg have been used in open, noncomparative studies of small numbers of patients.
Cryptococcal meningitis: The recommended dosage for treatment of acute cryptococcal meningitis is 400 mg on the first day, followed by 200 mg once daily. A dosage of 400 mg once daily may be used based on medical judgment of the patient’s response to therapy. The recommended duration of treatment for initial therapy of cryptococcal meningitis is 10-12 weeks after the cerebrospinal fluid becomes culture negative. The recommended dosage of Forcan for suppression of relapse of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS is 200 mg once daily.
Prophylaxis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation: The recommended FORCAN daily dosage for the prevention of candidiasis of patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation is 400 mg, once daily. Patients who are anticipated to have severe granulocytopenia (less than 500 neutrophils per cu mm) should start FORCAN prophylaxis several days before the anticipated onset of neutropenia, and continue for 7 days after the neutrophil count rises above 1000 cells per cu mm.
Forcan Tablets (Generic Diflucan) - Contraindications
Forcan is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to fluconazole or to any of its non active ingredients.
Side Effects Of Forcan Tablets (Fluconazole)
Fluconazole is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects of Forcan Tablets are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, skin rash and diarrhoea. Mild transient, reversible increase in liver enzymes like ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase and serum bilirubin, etc. may be seen. Serious hepatotoxicity is rarely seen. Rare side effects reported include anaphylaxis and angioedema.
Further Information
Additional Info: Prescribing Information
