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Ketoconazole

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Description

Ketoconazole is an imidazole antifungal medicine that is used in the treatment of various fungal infections of the skin and lungs. This medicine damages the cell membranes of the fungi and kills them. This action controls and stops the spread of fungal infections. Ketoconazole is available in shampoo, lotion, dusting powder, tablet, soap, ointment, cream and eye drop dosage forms. Ketoconazole tablet forms may show side effects such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, fever, etc. Topical forms of ketoconazole show redness, itching, peeling on the site of application as side effects. Ketoconazole eye drops show side effects like eye irritation, swelling and blurred vision, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or bother you. Do not use Ketoconazole if you are allergic to it. Ketoconazole should be used as directed by your physician and complete the prescribed course to get the benefit of its therapy. You can take a ketoconazole tablet with food or with an ample amount of water. It may cause dizziness. Hence, avoid driving or operating machines after taking ketoconazole tablets. Ketoconazole should be used by consulting your doctor only, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ketoconazole tablet is also not recommended for use if you have liver or kidney disease as this may worsen those conditions. It may also worsen conditions related to irregularities in heart rhythm. It may also increase the damage caused by alcohol. The topical form and eye drops are safe to be used in such conditions. In case of late or ineffectiveness of the therapy, consult your physician.
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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Ketoconazole

Blurred vision

Chest pain

Dizziness

Fast heartbeat

Headache

Increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

Pale skin

Yellow colored eyes or skin

Joint pain

Skin rash

Diarrhea

Hair loss or thinning of the hair

Skin irritation

Application site redness, itching, and burning

Skin peeling

Skin blistering

Uses of Ketoconazole

What is it prescribed for?

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that can affect the skin, bones, and joints and is caused by inhalation of the fungus Blastomyces dermatitis. This condition is mostly asymptomatic in the early stages but in some cases, it shows symptoms like night sweats, fever, cough, weight loss, chest pain, etc. Ketoconazole is used to reduce this infection.

Chromomycosis

Chromomycosis is a slow-growing severe fungal skin infection caused by fungi. Ketoconazole therapy is widely prescribed to treat this condition.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that can affect the lungs and other parts of the body and is caused by the inhalation of fungal spores. This condition may resolve on its own, but you might need treatment if the condition is severe. Therapy with Ketoconazole can treat this condition.

Paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), also known as South american blastomycosis, is a fungal infection that can occur as a mouth and skin type, lymphangitic type, multi-organ involvement type (particularly lungs), or mixed type. Ketoconazole is used in the treatment of Paracoccidioidomycosis which is a fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Fungal Blepharitis

This medicine may be used in the treatment of blepharitis, which is an inflammation of eyelids caused by a fungal infection.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The onset of action for Ketoconazole tablets is about 1 hour after taking it. The onset of action for other forms of ketoconazole is not known.

  • Duration of effect

    The duration of action for Ketoconazole tablets is about 8 hours after taking it. The duration of action for other forms of ketoconazole is not known.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Taking alcohol during Ketoconazole therapy may result in liver damage. Hence, avoid consuming alcohol if you are on treatment with this medicine particularly ketoconazole tablets.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Ketoconazole

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Ketoconazole is not recommended to be used in pregnancy unless prescribed by your doctor. If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor before using this cream.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Ketoconazole is not recommended to be used in breastfeeding unless prescribed by your doctor. If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before using this cream.

Allergy

Avoid taking Ketoconazole if you are allergic to it, other imidazoles, or any other components present in the formulation. Allergic reactions such as rashes, itching, swelling of the tongue, lips, shortness of breath, etc., can be seen. In case of the severity of these reactions, report to your doctor.

QT Interval prolonging drugs

Ketoconazole may cause a heart rhythm problem called prolonged QT intervals (an electrical heartbeat disturbance) if you are taking heart medications. It may result in fast, rapid, and irregular heartbeats.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Ketoconazole is not recommended to be used in pregnancy unless prescribed by your doctor. If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor before using this cream.

Breast-feeding

Ketoconazole is not recommended to be used in breastfeeding unless prescribed by your doctor. If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before using this cream.

General warnings

Liver injury

Ketoconazole may worsen the condition of cholestatic jaundice (a condition of reduced bile flow from the liver to the small intestine) or impaired liver function. Your doctor may closely monitor your liver function and may adjust the dose of this medicine if required.

QT prolongation

An electrical heartbeat disturbance called prolonged QT intervals can occur with the use of Ketoconazole especially if you are taking heart medications. Your doctor may closely monitor your heart function and may adjust the dose of this medicine if required.

Kidney diseases

Ketoconazole is not recommended if you have any kidney diseases as may worsen your condition and may cause kidney damage. Your doctor may closely monitor your kidney function and may adjust the dose of this medicine if required.

Missed Dose

Tablets: Take the missed dose of Ketoconazole as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one. Topical forms: Apply the missed dose of Ketoconazole as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not apply a double dose to make up for the missed dose. Eye drops: Administer the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

An overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause severe symptoms unless it is used for a prolonged period of time in large volumes. Seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor in case of an overdose of Ketoconazole.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Taking alcohol during Ketoconazole therapy may result in liver damage. Hence, avoid consuming alcohol if you are on treatment with this medicine particularly ketoconazole tablets.

Interaction with Medicine

Alprazolam

Cisapride

Clopidogrel

Erythromycin

Warfarin

Atorvastatin

Disease interactions

Liver disease

Ketoconazole may worsen the condition of cholestatic jaundice (a condition of reduced bile flow from the liver to the small intestine) or impaired liver function. Your doctor may closely monitor your liver function and may adjust the dose of this medicine if required.

QT prolongation

An electrical heartbeat disturbance called prolonged QT intervals can occur with the use of Ketoconazole especially if you are taking heart medications. Your doctor may closely monitor your heart function and may adjust the dose of this medicine if required.

Kidney diseases

Ketoconazole is not recommended if you have any kidney diseases as may worsen your condition and may cause kidney damage. Your doctor may closely monitor your kidney function and may adjust the dose of this medicine if required.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Use Ketoconazole as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Take the medicine at around the same time daily. Any instance of a side effect should be reported to the doctor immediately. Your doctor has prescribed Ketoconazole to cure your infection and improve symptoms. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Do not take indigestion remedies (antacids) within two hours of taking Ketoconazole. Inform your doctor if you experience an allergic reaction like skin rash, swelling of the face and shortness of breath. Keep the medicine away from the reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date. Make sure the unused medicine is disposed of properly.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

Ketoconazole kills and stops the growth of the fungi by destroying its cell membrane. Thus it treats the infection and stops further growth.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Azole antifungals

Schedule

Schedule H

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Ketoconazole HRA 200Mg Tablets - Summary Of Product Characteristics (Smpc) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/30077>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Dailymed - KETOCONAZOLE Cream. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cad7c647-34a9-4e4e-83b3-8d78e58f588f>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/018533s040lbl.pdf>

Drugs, H., 2021. Ketoconazole Topical: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605014.html>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Ketoconazole. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ketoconazole#section=Formulations-Preparations>

Drugs.ncats.io. 2021. NCATS Inxight: Drugs — KETOCONAZOLE. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].

https://drugs.ncats.io/drug/R9400W927I>

Drugs, H., 2021. Ketoconazole: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682816.html>
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Information on this page was last updated on 23 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.