Ketoconazole Description

Generic Name : KETOCONAZOLE

Pronunciation : (kee toe koe' na zole)

Trade Name(s) : Fungicide-200, Kenazol, Ketovate, Ketozole, Nizral, Phytoral

Why it is prescribed: Ketoconazole, an antifungal drug, is used to treat jock itch, athlete's foot, and infections of the skin e.g., ringworm, fingernails, toenails, mouth, lungs, vagina, and bloodstream.

When it is to be taken: Ketoconazole is used once a day. Follow the instructiions on your prescription label carefully. Ketoconazole must be used regularly to be effective. Take ketoconazole tablets at least two hours after you take antacids, belladonna, cimetidine, glycopyrrolate, isopropamide, propantheline, and ranitidine.

How it should be taken: Ketoconazole comes in the form of tables to be taken by mouth and in skin cream. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Rub a sufficient amount of the cream gently into the affected area and surrounding skin. Keep it away from your eyes.

Special Instruction :
1. Take ketoconazole for as long as directed, even if your symptoms improve, contact your doctor if you have used all of the medication prescribed and still have symptoms.
2. If you have a fungal skin infection, good health habits can help cure it and prevent reinfection.
3. Wash all towels, sheets, and clothing each day after they have touched the infected area.
4. If you have athlete's foot, wear clean white cotton socks rather than colored socks.
5. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. If you take ketoconazole tablets for a long time, you may have blood tests occasionally.
6. Take or apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you take tables and remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next dose, take the missed dose and the scheduled dose 12 hours apart. Then return to your regular schedule.

Side Effects :
1.Nausea and vomiting from tablets. Take the medication with food. If these problems persist, contact your doctor.
2. Skin rash and itching from tablets. Contact your doctor immediately.
3. Skin irritation, itching and stinging from cream. Contact your doctor.
4. Increased breast size, breast tenderness and pain in men taking tablets. Contact your doctor.
5. Liver problems from tablets: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor at once.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you use ketoconazole, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
2. Certain medications can affect the action of ketoconazole, and ketoconazole can increase or decrease the effects of other drugs.
3. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially anticoagulants, cyclosporine, phenytoin, and rifampin.
4. Do not allow anyone else to use your medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.
3. Keep ketoconazole cream away from excess heat.