KETOCONAZOLE

Brand & Generic Names

Nizoral

Basic Information

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

Uses

Treatment of fungus infections susceptible to ketoconazole.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or oral suspension--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At same time once a day.

If you forget a dose:
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:
8 to 10 months or longer.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

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:

Nausea or vomiting.

Infrequent:

• Rash or itchy skin, increased sensitivity to light.
• Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, insomnia, diarrhea.

Rare:

• Pale stools, abdominal pain, dark or amber urine, jaundice.
• Diminished sex drive in males, swollen breasts in males, tiredness, weakness, appetite loss.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to ketoconazole.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have absence of stomach acid (achlorhydria).
• If you have liver disease.

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

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

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:
Use only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Request liver-function studies.

Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

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

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Anticoagulants*	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Anticholinergics*	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Atropine	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Belladonna	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Cimetidine	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Clidinium	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Cyclosporine	Increased risk of toxicity to
	kidney.
Didanosine	Reduced absorption of both drugs.
	Increased risk of pancreatitis.
Famotidine	Reduced absorption of ketoconazole.
	Take famatodine at least 2 hours
	after any dose of ketoconazole.
Glycopyrrolate	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Hepatotoxic	Increased risk of toxicity to kidney.
Histamine H2 receptor	Decreased absorption of ketoconazole.
Hyoscyamine	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Hypoglycemics*, oral	Increased effect of oral
	hypoglycemics.
Isoniazid	Decreased effect of ketoconazole.
Methscopolamine	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Methylprednisolone	Increased effect of
	methylprednisolone.
Nizatidine	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Omeprazole	Decreased absorption of ketoconazole.
Phenytoin	May alter effect of both drugs.
Propantheline	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Ranitidine	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Rifampin	Decreased effect of ketoconazole.
Scopolamine	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Sodium bicarbonate	Decreased absorption of ketoconazole.
Terfenadine	Life-threatening heartbeat irregularity.
	Avoid.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased chance of liver damage
	and disulfiram reaction*.
Beverages:	No problems expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased ketoconazole effect.
	Avoid.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	Decreased ketoconazole effect.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	Decreased ketoconazole effect.
	Avoid.