Fluconazole (hydrate) is a triazole antifungal agent used for the oral treatment and prevention of both superficial and systemic fungal infections, including but not limited to balanitis, various Candida infections, Cryptococcus infections, dermatomycosis, and fungal infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts. As the hydrate salt form of fluconazole, it exhibits antifungal activity by inhibiting the growth and development of pathogenic fungi, such as Candida species, at minimal inhibitory concentrations often exceeding 100 mg/l. Notably, it disrupts the branching and hyphal formation in C. albicans at concentrations as low as 0.3 mg/l, indicating its potency in comparison to other antifungals like miconazole and ketoconazole which require 100-fold lower concentrations to be effective. Clinical studies have not linked oral fluconazole with a significant increase in the risk of most birth defects, although there may be an associated risk of tetralogy of Fallot. Its efficacy against Cryptococcus gattii in koalas suggests it may be ineffective as a sole therapeutic agent at a dosage of 10 mg/kg orally every 12 h. Toxicity symptoms from overdose can include hallucinations and paranoid behavior.