If you read the indications label on a bottle of antibiotics, it will advise you of the risk of yeast infection, and often some things you can do to mitigate this risk. If you develop a yeast infection during your course of antibiotics, those warnings can make it natural to worry about a drug interaction between your anti-yeast medication and the antibiotics. Consult your doctor.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are most commonly associated with women and their genitals, but people of both genders can get them in any body area that is moist and infrequently exposed to sunlight. In all of these areas, your body normally maintains a balance between yeast and bacteria -- both of which are part of your body's natural process. If the yeast population gets out of control, you develop a yeast infection. Symptoms include irritation, swelling, red coloration and a discharge that resembles cottage cheese.
Antibiotics
A course of antibiotics will cure a bacterial infection. Antibiotics don't kill all kinds of infections, however. They won't work on viruses or yeast, which is a type of fungus. When antibiotics kill the bacteria in your body, it gives the yeast -- which had been living in balance with the bacteria -- an opportunity to spread uncontrolled.
Yeast Medications
Yeast medications are a topical poison that works to kill yeast in much the same way antibiotics kill bacteria. Some stronger over-the-counter medications work over the course of a day to one week, reducing the yeast population in the infected area. doctors also can prescribe anti-yeast medication in pill form.
Yeast Medications and Antibiotics
If you take a yeast medication while you're on antibiotics, it may reduce the yeast population in the infected area and alleviate your symptoms. However, as long as you're on the course of antibiotics, the bacteria level will remain artificially low -- meaning your yeast infection may spring right back up. It's rarely dangerous to take yeast medication while using antibiotics, but it's often pointless.
Drug Interaction Warning
Two safe drugs can interact together in ways that can make you sick or threaten your life. Whenever you're on antibiotics or any other medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other drug -- even over-the-counter products like some yeast medications.
A 42-year-old female asked:
Whe during a ten day course of antibiotics should i take diflucan (fluconazole)?
Dr. James Kufdakisanswered
39 years experience
Not always: You should only take Diflucan (fluconazole) if you have a diagnosed fungal infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Thank
27 thanks
A 48-year-old member asked:
Safe to take diflucan (fluconazole) while taking antibiotics?
Dr. Stuart Kanteranswered
Internal Medicine - Geriatrics 22 years experience
Yes: Diflucan (fluconazole) is an antifungal that is safe to take concurrently with antibiotics.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Thank
60 thanks
A 24-year-old female asked:
Was just prescribed a cephalosporin antibiotic along with diflucan (fluconazole). when is the best time to take the diflucan (fluconazole) tab? day 1 of the antibiotics? thanks!
Dr. Corey Clayanswered
Allergy and Immunology 11 years experience
Not really: Equally effective regardless of time of day. Meals should not effect efficacy. Same for Keflex (or other cephalosporins), although it may be slightl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
1.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Thank
Dr. Justin Greiwe agrees1 doctor agrees
4 thanks
A 21-year-old female asked:
On antibiotics for 10 days and got a yeast infection. they gave me 3 diflucan pills to clear it up. is it normal if it takes 3 pills sometimes?
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 26 years experience
This does not: mean that you need to take all three pills. However, if you have yeast infection that is stubborn - the diflucan may need to be repeated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
520 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Thank
Dr. Jovita Anyanwu and 4 doctors agree5 doctors agree
1 thank
A 20-year-old female asked:
On antibiotics for 15 days. treated for a yeast infection with diflucan (fluconazole). infection may be back, and i have leftover difl. ok to take more difl?
Dr. STEPHEN GIROUXanswered
Pharmacology 41 years experience
Probably ok: Taking broad spectrum antibiotics often results in yeast infection as the normal flora is wiped out. Taking Diflucan (fluconazole) will treat the yeas... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Thank
10 thanks
A 23-year-old female asked:
I had a yeast infection due 2 antibiotics & it mostly cleared on its own. im on antibiotics again 2 weeks later & was prescribed diflucan 1 daily as needed. 150mg. does that mean take 1 daily for 3 days?
Dr. Sue Ferrantianswered
Internal Medicine 30 years experience
If the instructions on the prescription says take one daily and there are 3 pills, then yes, you were given a 3 day course and you will take 1 daily f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
Answered Jul 19, 2021
Thank
A 21-year-old female asked:
2 diflucan (fluconazole) pills for yeast i took them one day apart i'm still taking antibiotics for a uti idk if i was suppose to take the yeast pills a week apart?
Dr. Dennis Higginbothamanswered
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 31 years experience
Varies: One current common regimen for Diflucan (fluconazole) when treating a vaginal yeast infection is to take one pill every other day for 3 days - that wo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Thank
Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree
16 thanks
A 35-year-old member asked:
Taking amoxicillin for yeast infection, can i take diflucan (fluconazole) while i still am taking antibiotics?
Dr. Clarence Lyonsanswered
Family Medicine 21 years experience
Yes: For Amoxicillin and Diflucan (fluconazole) it is safe to take together. Do not take a z-pack and Diflucan (fluconazole) together as they could cause ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Thank
Dr. Pamela Pappas and another doctor agree2 doctors agree
11 thanks
A 39-year-old female asked:
Have possible candida overgrowth from taking low dose antibiotics for years. have taken probiotics as well, but getting skin eruptions from them. i am allergic to diflucan, (fluconazole) what can i take?
Dr. Asha Kamnanianswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 44 years experience
Other medications: There are other medications you can take like oral nystatin. First, please make sure that this is confirmed diagnosis of candida overgrowth. A lot of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Thank
1 thank
View 1 more answer
A 48-year-old member asked:
Could i take diflucan (fluconazole) which is for yeast infections while on the z pack which is the antibiotic?
Dr. Clarence Lyonsanswered
Family Medicine 21 years experience
I would not: Combining these two medications can increase your risk of getting an irregular heart rhythm.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Learn how we can help
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Thank
Dr. Pamela Pappas agrees1 doctor agrees
4 thanks