subject: Yeast Infection Medications: A Buyer's Guide [print this page] Yeast infection may be a nuisance, but the fungal growth can be stopped and treated - either naturally or through medications. Over-the-counter treatments can help some sufferers, but for others, it is the prescribed medication that can do the trick.
Doctors usually prescribe medications to breastfeeding women and infants. But if you don't fall in any of these categories, you may still ask a doctor if there are good medicines for you.
The first medication in our list is Fluconazole, which is a synthetic anti-fungal medication that has cured thousands of patients and is therefore proven successful and effective in stopping fungus from growing at a rapid rate, both in men and women. It is taken orally and administered intravenously. It does not kill the fungus needed by the body to function; it only prevents the harmful ones from spreading to other areas. A downside is the time it takes for the drug to take effect.
Mild side effects include headaches, difficulty in tasting their food, dizziness, heartburn, diarrhea, and stomach pains. In severe cases, you may suffer from or exhibit extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, unusual bruising and bleeding, itching, appetite loss, hives, pain, rash, flu symptoms, dark urine, and seizures.
Itraconazole is another drug that is helpful among yeast infection patients. It is typically taken orally for three months. It is available in blue capsules, which should not be taken more than 200 mg a day, for light yeast infections. In severe cases, you should take 400 mg a day. Its brand name is called Sporanox. Side effects are atigue, rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, and edema. This drug is not recommended for breastfeeding women.
The last in our list is called Keroconazole, which has Nizoral as its active ingredient. It is available in capsule, shampoo and cream form. Patients who are taking anti-acids are suggested to take them two hours before taking this medicine. Its side effects include abdominal pain, headaches, rash, itching, nausea/vomiting, abnormal blood count, severe depression, shock, low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue, and impotence. This is not for breastfeeding women, pregnant ladies and children.
You can take over-the-counter yeast infection medications if you are sure you have this health condition. However, it is highly advisable that you treat yourself without the help or advice of a medical professional because a lot of patients who take over-the-counter medications have another condition which they have mistaken for vaginal yeast infection. This only causes more health mishaps as they cure themselves with the wrong treatment - which only makes their life a lot worse, of course.
Also, you must follow the directions and take the medication during the recommended time frame. Ask a doctor if you can take a certain treatment if you happen to be taking other medications already as they might not work well.
However, if your condition keeps coming back despite your treatment, you are advised to seek medical advice because recurrent yeast infection requires a more serious treatment or you might be having another condition, like HIV.
Yeast infection medications are only a few of the recommended treatments if you want to make yeasts go away or under control. You have other treatment options for this, however.
