The FDA are advising that a drug used to treat yeast infections of the vagina, mouth, throat, esophagus and other organs may cause birth defects.

Treatment with chronic, high doses (400-800mg/day) of Diflucan (fluconazole) during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with a rare and distinct set of birth defects in infants.

This risk does not appear to be associated with a single, low dose of fluconazole 150mg to treat vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis).

Diflucan is also used in patients who are likely to contract yeast infected because they are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy before bone marrow transplant. Diflucan is also used to treat meningitis caused by a certain type of fungus.

Patients should notify their healthcare professionals if they are or become pregnant while taking fluconazole. If a patient uses fluconazole during pregnancy, the patient should be informed of the potential risk to the fetus.