Important Note

The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

ITRACONAZOLE - ORAL

(eye-truh-CON-uh-zole)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Sporanox

WARNING: Itraconazole must not be used with certain medications (e.g., astemizole, cisapride, terfenadine, quinidine, pimozide, dofetilide) that are broken down by the liver (cytochrome P450 3A4). Medications using this system may build up in the body causing serious, even fatal, heart problems such as irregular heartbeats (e.g., torsades de pointes), or increased side effects. Notify your doctor immediately if you are using any of the above medications or medications similar to these. Do not use this drug to treat nail fungal infections if you have heart disease (congestive heart failure); consult your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop trouble breathing, ankle or foot swelling, or sudden weight gain.

Uses

This medication is used to treat certain fungal infections.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth with food exactly as directed on your prescription label. The capsule and liquid forms of this drug are not interchangeable. Consult your pharmacist. This medication is usually taken once or twice a day. For best results, take each dose at evenly spaced intervals around the clock. This will ensure a constant level of medication in your blood. Because antacids may interfere with absorption of itraconazole into your bloodstream, take antacids one hour before or two hours after this medication. Another dosing method involves taking this medication for one week each month until therapy is completed. Take this medication for the full time prescribed. Stopping therapy too soon may result in reinfection.

Side Effects

Stomach upset, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Other side effects reported include ringing in the ears, fever, sexual performance problems, depression, drowsiness, or trouble sleeping. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: severe nausea, yellowing eyes/skin, unusual weakness, dark urine, pale stools, numbness or tingling of the hands/feet. In the unlikely event you have a severe allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. Symptoms such as trouble breathing or ankle/foot swelling could also be due to a rare side effect-congestive heart failure; seek immediate medical attention nevertheless. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before using this medication tell your doctor your medical history especially: liver disease (including abnormal liver function tests, or disease caused by other medicines), heart disease (e.g., arrhythmias or congestive heart failure), severe lung disease (e.g., COPD), kidney disease, any allergies. Use caution engaging activities requiring alertness if this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy. This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Itraconazole passes into breast milk. The manufacturer does not recommended breast-feeding while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

If you are currently using repaglinide and gemfibrozil, you should not use itraconazole. If you are currently using these three medications in combination, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Serious reactions (very low blood sugar) could occur. Tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medication you may use especially of: cyclosporine, digoxin, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), oral diabetic drugs, ulcer drugs, isoniazid, phenytoin, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs (certain "statins" such as lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin), indinavir, pimozide, quinidine, dofetilide, vincristine, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin), oral midazolam, triazolam, calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, dihydropyridines such as nifedipine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

In serious situations, therapy with this medication may be continued for at least 3 months to ensure the infection is gone. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function) may be performed to monitor your progress.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom.