Pronunciation: IT-ra-KON-a-zole
Generic Name: Itraconazole
Brand Name: Sporanox
Itraconazole Capsules should not be used to treat a fungal infection of the toenail or fingernail (onychomycosis) in patients with heart problems (eg, history of congestive heart failure). Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of congestive heart failure such as swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or abdomen; bloating; shortness of breath; fast or irregular heartbeat; severe or persistent nausea; or confusion.
Use of Itraconazole Capsules along with certain other medicines may increase your risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart problems, including irregular heartbeat. Do not take Itraconazole Capsules if you are also taking cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, dofetilide, or levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl).
Itraconazole Capsules is used for:
Treating fungal infections. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Itraconazole Capsules is an azole antifungal. It kills sensitive fungi by interfering with the formation of the fungal cell membrane.
Do NOT use Itraconazole Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Itraconazole Capsules
- you are being treated for a fungal infection of the toenail or fingernail (onychomycosis) and you also have congestive heart failure, a history of congestive heart failure, you are pregnant, or may become pregnant
- you are taking an aldosterone blocker (eg, eplerenone), alprazolam, astemizole, cisapride, conivaptan, dofetilide, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), oral midazolam, nevirapine, nisoldipine, pimozide, a quinazoline (eg, alfuzosin), quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, terfenadine, triazolam, or certain 5-HT receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Itraconazole Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Itraconazole Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you are allergic to other azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole)
- if you have HIV infection, a weakened immune system, kidney or liver problems, abnormal liver function tests, lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), low stomach acid (eg, hypochlorhydria), nerve problems, or problems with swelling or retaining fluid
- if you have an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart valve problems)
- if you have had serious liver problems caused by Itraconazole Capsules or other medicines
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Itraconazole Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, HIV, seizures, anxiety, sleep, heartburn, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure, allergies, irregular heartbeat, pain, blood thinning, asthma, migraines, mood or mental problems, cancer, prostate problems, immune system suppression, erectile dysfunction, urinary problems, or birth control [eg, birth control pills]), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements may interact with Itraconazole Capsules, increasing the risk of serious side effects
- Nevirapine, rifabutin, or rifampin because they may decrease Itraconazole Capsules's effectiveness
- Astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, or terfenadine because the risk of severe heart effects may be increased
- Alprazolam, midazolam, or triazolam because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Itraconazole Capsules, resulting in increased risk of sedation and breathing difficulties
- Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil), conivaptan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), 5-HT receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan), or quinazolines (eg, alfuzosin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Itraconazole Capsules
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Itraconazole Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Itraconazole Capsules:
Use Itraconazole Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Itraconazole Capsules after a full meal. If you have low stomach acid or you take medicine to reduce stomach acid, take Itraconazole Capsules with a cola beverage.
- Do not take antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking Itraconazole Capsules.
- Take Itraconazole Capsules at least 2 hours before proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole).
- To clear up your infection completely, take Itraconazole Capsules for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
- Itraconazole Capsules works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of Itraconazole Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Itraconazole Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Itraconazole Capsules may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Itraconazole Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Rarely, Itraconazole Capsules has been associated with serious, sometimes fatal liver damage. Contact your doctor right away if you notice dark urine, pale stools, a swollen or tender stomach, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Itraconazole Capsules only works against fungi; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- Be sure to use Itraconazole Capsules for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The fungus could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
- Do not switch between the capsule and oral solution forms of Itraconazole Capsules without checking with your doctor. Effectiveness and side effects of these forms of Itraconazole Capsules may be different even at the same dose.
- Diabetes patients - Itraconazole Capsules may increase the risk of low blood sugar from your diabetes medicine. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Itraconazole Capsules. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
- If you are using Itraconazole Capsules to treat a certain type of fungal infection (onychomycosis), you should use an effective form of birth control while you are taking Itraconazole Capsules and for 2 months after you have stopped treatment. Talk with your doctor about effective forms of birth control.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Itraconazole Capsules before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including liver function, may be performed while you use Itraconazole Capsules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Itraconazole Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially loss of hearing.
- Itraconazole Capsules should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Itraconazole Capsules can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Itraconazole Capsules while you are pregnant. Itraconazole Capsules is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Itraconazole Capsules, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Itraconazole Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; nausea; runny nose; stomach pain or upset; unpleasant taste; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloating; chest pain; confusion; coughing up white or pink mucus; dark urine; decreased sexual ability; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hair loss; increased or uncontrolled urination; joint pain; loss of appetite; loss of hearing; muscle pain, weakness, or cramping; numbness, burning, or tingling of the hands, arms, legs, or feet; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; sensitivity to sunlight; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; severe stomach or back pain; shortness of breath; sudden weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen or tender stomach; trouble sleeping; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or fatigue; vision problems (eg, blurred vision, double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Itraconazole side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Itraconazole Capsules:
Store Itraconazole Capsules at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Itraconazole Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Itraconazole Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Itraconazole Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Itraconazole Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Itraconazole resources
- Itraconazole Side Effects (in more detail)
- Itraconazole Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Itraconazole Drug Interactions
- Itraconazole Support Group
- 11 Reviews for Itraconazole - Add your own review/rating
Compare Itraconazole with other medications
- Aspergillosis, Aspergilloma
- Blastomycosis
- Candida Infections, Systemic
- Candida Urinary Tract Infection
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Dermatophytosis
- Esophageal Candidiasis
- Febrile Neutropenia
- Histoplasmosis
- Onychomycosis, Fingernail
- Onychomycosis, Toenail
- Oral Thrush
- Paracoccidioidomycosis
- Sporotrichosis
- Tinea Capitis
- Tinea Versicolor
- Vaginal Yeast Infection
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