What is flucytosine?
Flucytosine is an antifungal prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of serious infections caused by certain types of two different fungi: Candida and Cryptococcus.
Cryptococcosis, which is an infection caused by the Cryptococcus fungus, is an opportunistic infection. An opportunistic infection is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as those infected with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems.
The Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents, prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include recommendations on the HIV-related use of flucytosine to treat cryptococcosis, and specifically cryptococcal meningitis, which is an infection and inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord.
What should I tell my health care provider before taking flucytosine?
Before taking flucytosine, tell your health care provider:
- If you are allergic to flucytosine or any other medicines.
- About any medical conditions you have or have had, for example, diabetes or liver problems.
- About anything that could affect your ability to take medicines, such as difficulty swallowing or remembering to take pills.
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Flucytosine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to your unborn baby.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV.
- About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between flucytosine and the other medicines you take.
Ask your health care provider about possible side effects from flucytosine. Your health care provider will tell you what to do if you have side effects.
How should I take flucytosine?
Take flucytosine according to your health care provider’s instructions. Your health care provider will tell you how much flucytosine to take and when to take it. Before you start flucytosine and each time you get a refill, read any printed information that comes with your medicine.
How should flucytosine be stored?
- Store flucytosine capsules at 77°F (25°C). Flucytosine may be stored temporarily at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
- Safely throw away flucytosine that is no longer needed or expired (out of date).
- Keep flucytosine and all medicines out of reach of children.
Where can I find more information about flucytosine?
More information about flucytosine is available:
Last Reviewed: November 14, 2012
Last Updated: November 14, 2012