Question

A 28-year-old man has been taking fluconazole 150 mg once weekly for the treatment of onychomycosis on his fingernail for the past 12 months. He has now come to the pharmacy with complaints of oral issues.

Please provide an assessment of his situation, including potential causes and recommendations for addressing his oral concerns in the context of long-term fluconazole use.

Answer 1

Long-term use of fluconazole may lead to oral issues such as oral thrush, which can be treated with topical or systemic antifungal medications depending on the severity of the case.

Step-by-step explanation:

Long-term use of fluconazole may lead to oral issues such as oral thrush. Oral thrush is characterized by the appearance of white patches and pseudomembranes in the mouth and can be associated with bleeding. The infection may be treated topically with nystatin or clotrimazole oral suspensions, although systemic treatment with fluconazole or itraconazole may be used for serious cases or if the Candida species is resistant to fluconazole. It is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper assessment and recommendation based on the individual's specific situation.