Itraconazole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug itraconazole?

What is Itraconazole for?

Itraconazole is a drug used to treat a variety of yeast infections, including yeast infections in the lungs, vagina, mouth, throat, and fingers and toes.

This drug belongs to the class of azole antifungal drugs that work against and inhibit the growth of fungi in the body.

Itraconazole can also be used to prevent certain yeast infections in patients with HIV.

Some conditions that can be treated with itraconazole include:

• Pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor)
• Tinea corporis (ringworm) and tinea cruris (groin)
• Tinea manuum and pedis (fungus on the soles of the feet and hands)
• Onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nails)
• Histoplasmosis
• Blastomycosis (Gilchrist's disease)
• Aspergillosis (yeast infection in the lungs)
• Oesophageal candidiasis (yeast infection of the throat)
• Oral candidiasis (yeast infection of the mouth)
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis (yeast infection of the mouth and throat)
• Vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection of the vagina)

This drug is not available over-the-counter in pharmacies because it is only available by prescription.

How do I use Itraconazole?

This drug should not be used carelessly. In order for the drug to work optimally, some of the rules for using the itraconazole drug that you need to pay close attention to are:

• If the doctor prescribes the drug in tablet form, take it after food.
• Meanwhile, if the doctor prescribes medicine in the form of a solution (liquid), drink it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Use a measuring spoon that is usually included in the medicine package, not a regular table spoon. Swish the medicine in your mouth for a few seconds before you swallow it.
• Do not use liquid medicinal preparations if the medicinal liquid looks cloudy, has changed color, or has particles in it. Only use when the liquid looks clear.
• Shake the medicinal liquid first before using it.
• The drug in tablet form must be taken whole. So, avoid grinding, crushing, or grinding the medicine without the doctor's knowledge.
• Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. The dosage of the drug is adjusted according to the patient's health condition as well as their response to treatment.
• This medicine will work well if consumed regularly. So as not to forget, take this medicine at the same time every day.
• Do not attempt to reduce or increase the dose of medication without your doctor's permission. You should continue to use this medication as directed by your doctor, even if the symptoms have disappeared. Because, stopping treatment too early can result in a return of infection.
• If you are also taking antacid drugs, you should use this medicine 2 hours after that. This is because antacids may affect the absorption of this drug.
• Do not give this medicine to other people even if they have symptoms that are very similar to yours.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is itraconazole stored?

Itraconazole is a drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Rules of Use Itraconazole

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of itraconazole for adults?

The dosage of the drug itraconazole for adults is:

• Systemic yeast infection: 100-200 mg orally once daily. The dose can also be increased to 200 mg orally twice a day if the infection is widespread.
• Tinea corporis and tinea cruris. 100 mg per day orally for 15 days, or 200 mg per day for 7 days.
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis: 100 mg per day orally for 15 days. In patients with AIDS or neutropenia the dose is increased to 200 mg orally for 15 days.
• Vulvonaginal Candidiasis: 200 mg orally twice daily. The drug is given for only 1 day.
• Fungal nail infection: 200 mg per day by mouth for 3 months.
• Oral candidiasis and oesophageal candidiasis: 200 mg taken orally 1-2 times daily for 1-2 weeks. For severe fungal infections that are resistant to the drug fluconazole, the dosage ranges from 100-200 mg orally 2 times a day for 2-4 weeks.
• Tinea manuum and tinea pedis: 100 mg per day taken for a full month, or 200 mg taken twice daily for 7 days.
• Ptyriasis versicolor: 200 mg per day orally for 7 days.
• Blastomycosis: 200 mg orally 3 times a day for the first 3 days. Then 200 mg taken 1-2 times a day for 6-12 months.
• Histoplasmosis: 200 mg orally 3 times a day given only the first 3 days. A further dose of 200 mg is taken 1-2 times a day for at least 3 months.

In principle, the dosage of the drug from one person to another will be different. This depends on age, overall health condition, to the patient's response to the treatment that is being carried out. Therefore, to find out the exact dose of the drug Itraconazole, it is better to ask directly with a doctor or pharmacist.

What is the dosage of Itraconazole for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is Itraconazole available?

The form and dosage of the drug Itraconazole are:

• Capsules, orally 100 mg
• Solution, orally 10 mg / mL

Dosage of Itraconazole

What side effects can be experienced due to itraconazole?

Basically all drugs have the potential to cause side effects, including this drug.

The most common side effects that are often complained of after using the drug itraconazole are:

• Stomach ache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Blood pressure increases
• Sleepy
• Body feels weak
• Headache
• Dizzy
• Hard to breathe
• A reddish rash appears on the skin
• The frequency of urination decreases
• Pruritus, itching all over or in part of the body
• Angioedema, swelling under the skin due to allergies
• Fever
• Unusual taste in mouth
• Hair loss
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Changes in menstrual periods
• Often feel thirsty all the time
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• Decreased appetite
• Irregular heartbeat

While itraconazole side effects are less common and need to be aware of are:

• Kliyengan seemed to want to pass out
• Blurred vision
• Ears buzzing
• Heart palpitations
• The body is limp
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Gastrointestinal disorders are unusual
• Hypokalemia, low potassium levels
• Edema aka swelling all over or part of the body
• The color of the stool is pale like clay
• Jaundice
• Cold sweat often appears
• Darker urine
• Drastic mood swings
• It's hard to breath
• The chest feels very tight
• Breath is fast and shallow
• Vomiting blood
• There is blood in the urine and feces
• Pale facial skin
• The lips and tips of the toes and hands are bluish purple in color
• Yellowish eyes and skin
• Seizures

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Itraconazole side effects

What should be known before using itraconazole?

Things you need to know before using the drug itraconazole to treat yeast infections are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have an allergy to itraconazole or other antifungal drugs such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend) and other drugs.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have recently been regularly taking certain medications. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not use itraconazole to treat nail fungus if you are pregnant or about to become pregnant. You can use Itraconazole to treat nail fungus only on the second or third day of your period.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancer.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of digestive disorders, especially those related to acid reflux disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver or kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of cystic fibrosis or other lung problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of a weak immune system due to certain diseases, such as HIV / AIDS.
• This medicine may cause dizziness and blurred vision. Therefore, avoid driving a car or operating machinery until the effect of the drug is completely gone.
• Stop using this drug if you experience an allergic reaction. If left untreated, this drug can cause dangerous reactions that are fatal.

Is itraconazole safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Itraconazole is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Itraconazole is a drug that may react negatively to your baby's development and growth. Therefore, do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Itraconazole Drug Warnings and Cautions

What other medicines may interact with itraconazole?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Some of the drugs that have the potential to cause interactions with the drug itraconazole are:

• Sedative drugs such as midazolam or triazolam.
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin.
• Antipsychotic drugs such as lurasidone or pimozid.
• HIV / AIDS drugs such as efavirenz, isoniazid, nevirapine, rifabutin, and others.
• Medicines to treat heart rhythm disorders such as disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, or quinidine.
• Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin.
• Ergot drugs such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, or methylergonovine.
• Blood thinners such as rivaroxaban, warfarin, Coumadin, and Jantoven.
• Cancer drugs include dasatinib, nilotinib, and others.
• Medicines to treat urinary problems. For example Detrol, Flomax, and Vesicare.
• Heart drugs or blood pressure medications such as aliskiren, digoxin, diltiazem, and verapamil.
• Immunosuppressants include dexamethasone, everolimus, and others.
• Medicines to prevent transplant organ rejection. These include cyclosporine and sirolimus.
• Migraine drugs such as eletriptan and so on.
• Opioid pain relievers include fentanyl, oxycodone, and many more.
• Seizure medications such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.

Many other medicines can also interact with itraconazole, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the drugs you use. Even those that don't appear on the aforementioned list.

Can food or alcohol interact with Itraconazole?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with itraconazole?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Some of the health problems that can interact with the drug itraconazole are:

• Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
• Edema (body swelling or fluid retention).
• History of heart attack.
• Heart disease (eg, ischemic disease, valve problems).
• Heart rate problems. Use with caution because it increases the risk of more serious side effects.
• History of congenital heart failure.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Hypochlorhydria (acid in the stomach that is too low).
• Having problems with liver enzymes.
• Kidney illness.
• Liver disease.
• Weak immune system.

There may be other diseases that have not been mentioned above. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all your medical history during the examination. That way, the doctor can determine other types of drugs that suit your condition.

Itraconazole Drug Interactions

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency medical services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.