Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication that is used to treat certain infections caused by fungus. It should be used only when you cannot use other antifungal medications. It can cause serious harm to your liver that may result in liver transplant or cause death.

Introduction

Generic name: Ketoconazole

Dosage form: oral tablet (200 mg)

Drug class: Azole antifungals

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Directions for use

  • Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using ketoconazole.

  • Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

  • You may need to use this medicine for up to 6 months.

  • Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Ketoconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

  • While using ketoconazole, you may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

Side effects

Ketoconazole may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • Fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out)

  • Unusual weakness or tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting

  • Liver problems–upper stomach pain, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of ketoconazole may include:

  • Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain

  • Breast swelling

  • Headache, dizziness

  • Abnormal liver function tests.

What drugs will affect ketoconazole?

  • Some medicines can make it harder for your body to absorb ketoconazole. If you take an antacid, take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take ketoconazole.

  • Tell your doctor if you also take a stomach acid reducer, such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Zantac, and others.

  • Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

  • Ketoconazole can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Warnings

  • This medicine should be used only when you cannot use other antifungal medications. Ketoconazole can cause serious harm to your liver that may result in liver transplant or cause death.

  • Call your doctor at once if you have any signs of liver damage, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

  • Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

  • Ketoconazole can also cause a serious heart problem. Call your doctor right away if you have fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness.

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