Itraconazole
Introduction To Itraconazole
Itraconazole belongs to a group of medicines called antifungals. It works by stopping the growth of fungi and is used to treat infections of the mouth, throat, vagina, and other parts of the body including fingernails and toenails. It kills fungi by destroying the fungal cell membrane.
Itraconazole should be taken in the dose and duration as prescribed by your doctor. It should be swallowed whole and can be taken with food. To get the most benefit, take this medicine at evenly spaced times and continue using it until your prescription is finished, even if your symptoms disappear after a few days. If you stop the treatment too early, the infection may return and if you miss doses you can increase your risk of infections that are resistant to further treatment. Tell your doctor if the infection does not get better or if it gets worse.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, common cold, cough, blurred vision, and a problem with menstrual periods. You could ask your doctor about ways of preventing or reducing these effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction like severe skin rash, tingling, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Do not take it if you are pregnant or could become pregnant unless your doctor has told you to. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have ever had heart failure, a weak immune system (including HIV/AIDS), kidney problems, or liver problems such as yellow skin (jaundice). This medicine may not be suitable for you. If your course of treatment is for more than a month, your doctor may want to check your liver by testing your blood.
Uses of Itraconazole
- Treatment of Fungal infections
Benefits of Itraconazole
Treatment of Fungal infections
Itraconazole is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat infections in
different parts of the body caused by fungi. It works by killing and stopping
the growth of fungi. This provides relief from various symptoms caused by the
infection and speeds up the healing process. You should keep taking the
medicine until you complete the dose even if you get better. This will prevent
the infection from returning.
Side effects of Itraconazole
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Candizone
- Nausea
- Common cold
- Cough
- Blurred vision
- Menstrual disorder
How to use Itraconazole
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Itraconazole is to be taken with food.
How Itraconazole works
Itraconazole is an antifungal medication. It kills fungi by destroying the fungal cell membrane. This treats your skin infection.
Quick tips
- Itraconazole helps treat fungal infections of mouth, skin, vagina or any other parts of the body.
- Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
- Take it with food, preferably at the same time everyday.
- Use a reliable method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
- Do not take indigestion remedies (antacids) within two hours of taking Itraconazole.
- Your doctor may check your liver function before starting treatment and regularly thereafter. Inform your doctor if you notice yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, or stomach pain.
- Inform your doctor if you develop allergic reactions, nerve pain, or hearing loss.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Itraconazole if I’m pregnant?
Itraconazole may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Itraconazole if I’m breastfeeding?
Itraconazole is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
AlcoholCAUTION
Is drinking alcohol while taking Itraconazole safe?
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Itraconazole. Please consult your doctor.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Itraconazole?
Itraconazole may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Itraconazole can sometimes cause dizziness, blurred/double vision or hearing loss. This may affect your ability to drive.
KidneyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Itraconazole if I have/had kidney diseases?
There is limited information available on the use of Itraconazole in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
LiverCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Itraconazole if I have/had liver diseases?
There is limited information available on the use of Itraconazole in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor. Inform your doctor if you develop signs of jaundice like yellowing of eyes and skin, itching, and clay colored stools while taking this medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Itraconazole used for?
Itraconazole is used to treat fungal infections caused by Trichophyton spp., Microsporum spp., and Epidermophyton floccosum. The infections caused could be ringworm infection, infection of the feet, or infection in the groin and buttocks. This medicine also treats persistent infection of fingernails and toenails, persistent candida (yeast) infections of vagina or candida (yeast) infections of the mouth or throat in patients with lower disease resistance. It is also used in the treatment of cryptococcal infection and infections caused by Histoplasma, aspergillus, and Blastomyces.
Q. For how long do I need to take Itraconazole?
The dose and length of treatment depends on the type and site of infection and your response to the treatment. For example, if you are taking Itraconazole for athlete’s foot (fungal infection of the skin on the feet and between the toes), the dose may need to be taken for 30 days, on the other hand, if you are taking it for candidal infection of the vagina, the dose may span from 1 day to 3 days depending on the dosage advised by the doctor.
Q. What should I do if I skip a dose of Itraconazole?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten dose.
Q. I am taking Itraconazole for nail infection but there does not seem to be any improvement. Can I stop taking it?
No, you should not stop taking Itraconazole without completing the entire course because doing so may not completely cure the fungal infection. It usually takes about 6-9 months for nail lesions to disappear because after the medicine eliminates the fungus, the new nail takes several months to grow. Do not worry if you do not see any improvement during the treatment.
Q. Why has my doctor asked me to get blood tests done?
Your doctor is probably trying to monitor your liver’s functioning. Itraconazole may cause serious liver damage. Therefore, if you develop loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, or abdominal pain while taking Itraconazole, you should tell your doctor immediately.
Q. Can I take antacid and Itraconazole together?
Itraconazole can be utilized by the body if there is sufficient acid in the stomach. Medicines for stomach ulcers, heartburn, or indigestion neutralize the acid produced by the stomach. Therefore, take antacids or any such medicine about 2 hours after taking Itraconazole. If you are taking antacids (medicines that stop the production of stomach acid), take Itraconazole capsules with a drink of cola.
Q. What is drug resistance?
Is it possible to develop resistance to Itraconazole? Sometimes it happens that the fungi get modified in your body and the medicine no longer works. This is called drug resistance. Resistance to Itraconazole has been reported with some candida species (krusei, glabrata, and tropicalis). Itraconazole should not be used for infection caused due to these species. Take the complete course of Itraconazole to avoid drug resistance.
Q. I have been on alprazolam for quite some time. Is it okay if I start Itraconazole now?
Yes, you can take both Alprazolam and Itraconazole together, but keep a watch on the side effects of alprazolam such as lightheadedness or drowsiness. If side effects appear after taking Itraconazole, talk to your doctor who will modify the dose of alprazolam.
Q. My doctor prescribed Itraconazole to me but not to my friend who had a similar fungal infection because she was on dofetilide. Why is it so?
Your doctor did not prescribe Itraconazole to your friend because Itraconazole interferes with the working of dofetilide. This interference can cause disturbed electrical activity of the heart, which can be harmful to the patient.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
MediClap strives to make its website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Should you encounter any difficulty accessing this website, kindly send an email to hello@mediclap.com to enable us to provide the necessary services through alternative means.
MediClap is not affiliated with nor sponsored by any of the third-party brands mentioned. All trademarks, brands, logos, and copyrights mentioned remain the sole property of their respective owners.