Uses
Ketoconazole is used to treat fungal infections when other medications are not available or cannot be tolerated. Ketoconazole should not be used to treat fungal meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord caused by a fungus) or fungal nail infections. Ketoconazole is in a class of antifungals called imidazoles. It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.
Side Effects Of Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- constipation
- heartburn
- gas
- change in the ability to taste food
- dry mouth
- change in tongue color
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- nervousness
- numbness, burning, or tingling of the hands or feet
- muscle pain
- hair loss
- flushing
- chills
- sensitivity to light
- nosebleeds
- breast enlargement in males
- the decrease in sexual ability
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- tiredness or weakness
- Ketoconazole may cause a decrease in the number of sperm (male reproductive cells) produced, especially if it is taken at high doses. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication if you are a man and would like to have children.
Ketoconazole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking ketoconazole:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ketoconazole or any other medications or any of the ingredients in ketoconazole tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax);eplerenone (Inspra); ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine (Ergomar, in Cafergot, in Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E 45, Migranal), and methylergonovine (Methergine); felodipine (Plendil); irinotecan (Camptosar); lovastatin (Mevacor); lurasidone (Latuda); midazolam (Versed); nisoldipine (Sular); simvastatin (Zocor); tolvaptan (Samsca); and triazolam (Halcion). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take ketoconazole if you are taking one or more of these medications or any of the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: aliskiren (Tekturna, in Valturna, in Amturnide); anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and warfarin (Coumadin); aprepitant (Emend); aripiprazole (Abilify); atorvastatin (Lipitor); bosentan (Tracleer); budesonide (Uceris); buspirone (BuSpar); carbamazepine (Tegretol); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); cancer medications such as bortezomib (Velcade); busulfan (Myleran); dasatinib (Sprycel); docetaxel (Taxotere), erlotinib (Tarceva); ixabepilone (Ixempra); lapatinib (Tykerb); nilotinib (Tasigna);paclitaxel (Taxol), trimetrexate (Neutrexin), vincristine (Vincasar), vinblastine, and vinorelbine (Navelbine); ciclesonide (Alvesco); cilostazol (Pletal); cinacalcet (Sensipar); colchicine (Colcrys, in Col-Probenecid); dexamethasone; digoxin (Lanoxin); eletriptan (Relpax); fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Lazanda, Onsolis); fesoterodine (Toviaz); fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent); haloperidol (Haldol); HIV medications such as darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), fosamprenavir (Lexiva),indinavir (Crixivan), maraviroc (Selzentry), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase); immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), everolimus (Afinitor, Zortress),sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf); imatinib (Gleevec); medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra); medications for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and ranitidine (Zantac); medications to treat tuberculosis such as isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); methylprednisolone (Medrol); nadolol (Corgard); oxycodone (Oxecta, Oxy Contin, in Percocet, others); phenytoin (Dilantin); praziquantel (Biltricide); quetiapine (Seroquel); ramelteon (Rozerem); repaglinide (Prandin, in PrandiMet); risperidone (Risperdal); salmeterol (Serevent, in Advair);saxagliptin (Onglyza); solifenacin (Vesicare); immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf); tamsulosin (Flomax, in Jalyn); telithromycin (Ketek); and tolterodine (Detrol) . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with ketoconazole, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- if you are taking an antacid containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others), take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take ketoconazole.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or adrenal insufficiency (a condition in which the adrenal glands do not make enough steroid hormones).
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking ketoconazole, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ketoconazole.
- you should know that drinking alcoholic beverages (including wine, beer, and medications that contain alcohol such as cough syrup) while taking ketoconazole increases the risk that you will develop liver damage and may cause unpleasant symptoms such as flushing, rash, nausea, headache, and swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs if you drink alcohol while you are taking ketoconazole.
Ketoconazole Dosage
Ketoconazole comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day Take ketoconazole at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ketoconazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may increase your dose if your condition does not improve.
You may need to take ketoconazole for 6 months or longer to cure your infection completely. Continue to take ketoconazole until your doctor tells you that you should stop, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking ketoconazole without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking ketoconazole too soon, your infection may come back after a short time.
Other
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking ketoconazole.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about refilling your prescription. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the ketoconazole, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
