MHRA alert: Diflucan oral suspension leaflet typo (August 2024)
A small typo can create big questions. In August 2024 the MHRA told pharmacists about a mistake in the patient leaflet for two batches of Diflucan Oral Suspension. The leaflet showed the wrong fluconazole concentration, but the regulator confirmed the medicine itself is fine.
If you work in a pharmacy, this was the main message: stay alert, check your stock, and keep patients informed. The MHRA did not ask for a recall because product quality and strength are not affected. Still, the wrong number in the leaflet could confuse carers or parents who rely on concentration to dose a child.
What pharmacists should do right now
First, identify if you have the affected batches. Compare batch numbers and packaging details from the MHRA notice with what’s in your dispensary. If you find those batches, pull the leaflets and replace them with a correct copy or add a clear sticker explaining the typo.
Second, brief your team. Make sure every member who hands out medicines or answers patient queries knows about the issue and how to explain it. Tell them to confirm the correct dose by weight or age—not by trusting the misprinted number on the leaflet.
Third, talk to patients. When giving Diflucan Oral Suspension, point out the leaflet typo and read or show the correct concentration. If a patient or carer is unsure about dosing, don’t guess—recalculate using the actual fluconazole strength on the bottle and guide them through it.
Fourth, document and report. Note any queries or incidents related to the typo. If you see unexpected side effects or dosing mistakes, report them via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme so regulators and manufacturers can track any real-world impact.
What patients and carers need to know
If you’ve been given Diflucan Oral Suspension, check the leaflet and the bottle. If the leaflet shows a different concentration than the bottle, trust the bottle and the pharmacy for dosing guidance. Don’t stop a prescribed antifungal without speaking to the pharmacist or prescriber.
If you’re unsure, call your pharmacy and ask them to confirm the right dose by weight or age. If anyone notices side effects they don’t expect, contact a healthcare professional and consider reporting it to the MHRA via Yellow Card.
This August 2024 post on our site flags a practical, fixable problem: a leaflet typo that could confuse dosing. The medicine itself is okay, but clear communication matters. Pharmacies that act quickly can prevent dosing mistakes and keep patients confident in their treatment.
