Diflucan during pregnancy poses risk to infants

A drug used to treat yeast infections may be linked to certain birth defects in infants whose mothers took the drug during their pregnancies.

Taking frequent, high does of the drug Diflucan (generic name fluconazole) while pregnant has been shown to increase health risks in newborn babies. The risk appears especially great when mothers take Diflucan during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Diflucan is normally prescribed to patients suffering from yeast infections in various parts of the body, including the vagina, throat, mouth, and esophagus. It is occasionally used for the prevention of yeast infections in certain patients or for the treatment of some cases of meningitis.

Prolonged use of Diflucan in high doses received a higher level of warning than the single, low doses that are often used to treat vaginal yeast infections.

Women who are pregnant should talk to their doctors about whether the risks of taking Diflucan outweigh the possible benefits. Women who become pregnant while taking Diflucan should contact their doctors to minimize risk to their babies’ health.