ITRACONAZOLE

Brand & Generic Names

Sporanox

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antifungal

Uses

Treatment for fungal infections including blastomycosis, histo- plasmosis and others.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
For once-a-day dosage, take as soon as you remember up to 12 hours late. If more than 12 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
For twice-a-day dosage, take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents fungi from growing and reproducing.

Time lapse before drug works:
May require several weeks or months, possibly years for some fungal infections.

Don't take with:
Histamine H2 receptor antagonists, antacids or didanosine. Take at least 2 hours after any dose of itraconazole.
Any other prescription or non-prescription drug without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None reported.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

• Skin rash.
• Abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhes, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, headache.

Rare:

Yellow skin or eyes, pale stools, dark or amber urine, unusual tiredness or weakness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole or miconazole.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have liver disease.
• If you have reduced stomach acidity (achlorhydria or hypo- chlorhydria).

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Safety not established. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Give only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Request periodic liver function studies.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect the results in some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Decreased itraconazole absorption.
Astemizole	Possible cardiac toxicity and death.
	Avoid combining.
Carbamazepine	Decreased itraconazole effect.
Cyclosporine	Possible toxic levels of cyclosporine.
Didanosine	Decreased itraconazole absorption.
Digoxin	Possible toxic levels of digoxin.
Histamine H2 receptor	Decreased itraconazole absorption.
Rifampin	Decreased itraconazole effect.
Phenytoin	Decreased itraconazole effect.
Terfenadine	Possible cardiac toxicity and death.
	Avoid combining.
Warfarin	Increased warfarin effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.