Medications & Complications

Antifungal Drugs

The reduced ability of the immune system to fight infection puts a recovering patient at higher risk of getting a serious fungus infection. This may take the form of thrush or, in women, vaginal yeast infections.

Purpose:
Various drugs are used to treat or prevent fungus infections.

How to take:

  • Liquid - swish and swallow.

  • Troche or Lozenge - dissolve in the mouth.

  • The liquid or the lozenge should be taken after meals and other medications to allow liquids and lozenges to work in the mouth.

  • Vaginal suppository or cream - use as directed.

  • The transplant team will determine the proper dosage and length of time to take antifungal medications.
Precautions:
The benefits of taking these medications if a patient is pregnant or breast feeding must be weighed against the potential hazards to her, her fetus, or her infant. A woman should consult the transplant team immediately if she thinks she is pregnant.

Principal side effects:
These include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a metallic taste, and unpleasant mouth sensations.



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University of Southern California USC Liver Transplant Program and Center for Liver Disease
1510 San Pablo Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles CA 90033-4612
Phone: (323) 442-5908     Fax: (323) 442-5721
E-mail: uscliver@surgery.hsc.usc.edu