Template:Candidiasis Treatment

Uncomplicated

There is little resistance to azole medications; treatment often dictated by patient preference.

  • Fluconazole 150mg PO once (preferred)[1]
    • A second dose at 72hrs may be given if patient is still symptomatic
  • Intravaginal therapy
    • Clotrimazole 1 % cream applied vaginally for 7 days OR
    • Clotrimazole 2% applied vaginally for 3 days
    • Miconazole 2% cream applied vaginally for 7 days OR 4% cream x 3 days
    • Butoconazole 2% applied vaginally x 3 days
    • Tioconazole 6.5% applied vaginally x 1

Complicated

Severe or immunosuppressed

Non-albicans species

  • For example, C. glabrata, C. krusei and other atypical Candida spp.
  • Boric acid vaginal suppository intravaginal qday x ≥14 days
    • Can be fatal if taken orally
  • If empirically treated and later is found to have non-albicans Candida spp., no change in therapy is needed if patient is improving (otherwise switch to boric acid.

Recurrent (≥ 4 infections in a year)

  • Treat as for uncomplicated (see above)
  • Once therapy completed, prescribe long-term treatment
    • Fluconazole 150mg PO qweek x 6 months, OR
    • Intravaginal medication, such as clotrimazole 500mg PV qweek or 200mg PV twice a week

Pregnant Patients

  • Intravaginal clotrimazole or miconazole are the only recommended treatments
  • Duration is 7 days
  • PO fluconazole associated with congenital malformations and spontaneous abortions[2]
  1. Pappas PG, Kauffman CA, Andes DR, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Candidiasis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 2016; 62:e1.
  2. Molgaard-Nielsen D et al. Association Between Use of Oral Fluconazole During Pregnancy and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion and Stillbirth. JAMA. 2016;315(1):58-67.