Itraconazole

What is itraconazole?

Itraconazole capsules (Sporanox®, Tolsura®) are used to treat fungal infections in the lungs that can spread throughout the body. Itraconazole capsules (Sporanox®) are also used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails. Itraconazole oral solution (liquid) is used to treat yeast infections of the mouth and throat or of the esophagus (tube that connects the throat to the stomach). Itraconazole is in a class of antifungals called triazoles. It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.

How should this medicine be used?

Itraconazole comes as a capsule and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. If you are taking itraconazole capsules (Sporanox®, Tolsura®) to treat fungal infections in the lungs, the capsules are usually taken during or right after a full meal one or two times a day for at least 3 months. However, if you are taking itraconazole to treat a serious fungal infection in the lungs, the capsules may be taken with a meal three times a day for the first 3 days of treatment and then taken once or twice a day with a meal for at least 3 months. If you are taking itraconazole capsules (Sporanox®) to treat fungal infections of the toenails (including or without fingernail infections), the capsules are usually taken once a day with a full meal for 12 weeks. If you are taking itraconazole capsules (Sporanox®) to treat fungal infections of the fingernails only, the capsules are usually taken twice a day with a full meal for 1 week, skipped for 3 weeks, and then taken twice a day with a meal for a week. Itraconazole oral solution is usually taken on an empty stomach once or twice a day for 1 to 4 weeks or sometimes longer. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take itraconazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow itraconazole capsules whole; do not open, chew, or crush them.

Your doctor may tell you to take itraconazole capsules with a cola soft drink if you have certain medical conditions or are taking any of the following medications: cimetidine; dexlansoprazole (Dexilant®), esomeprazole (Nexium®, in Vimovo®), famotidine (Pepcid®, in Duexis®); lansoprazole (Prevacid®), nizatidine (Axid AR®); omeprazole (Prilosec®, Zegerid®), pantoprazole (Protonix®), rabeprazole (AcipHex®), or ranitidine. Follow these directions carefully.

To take itraconazole oral solution for fungal infections of the mouth or throat, swish 10 milliliters (about 2 teaspoons) of the solution in your mouth for several seconds and swallow.

Itraconazole capsules and oral solution are absorbed into the body in different ways and work to treat different conditions. Do not substitute the capsules for the liquid or the liquid for the capsules. Be sure that your pharmacist gives you the itraconazole product that your doctor prescribed.

If you are taking itraconazole to treat a nail infection, your fungus may not be completely cured until several months after you finish taking itraconazole. This is because it takes time for a healthy nail to grow in. Continue to take itraconazole even if you do not see any improvement.

Continue to take itraconazole until your doctor tells you to stop even if you feel well. Do not stop taking itraconazole without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking itraconazole too soon, your infection may come back after a short time.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking itraconazole,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to itraconazole; other antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan®), isavuconazonium (Cresemba®), ketoconazole (Extina®, Recorlev®, Nizoral®), posaconazole (Noxafil®), or voriconazole (Vfend®); any other medications; or any of the ingredients in itraconazole capsules or oral solution. If you are taking itraconazole oral solution, tell your doctor if you are allergic to saccharin. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Also, tell your doctor what prescription or nonprescription medications you have taken in the last 2 weeks before starting treatment with itraconazole.
• if you are taking an antacid, take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take itraconazole.
• The following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with itraconazole: cimetidine (Tagamet HB®), fluticasone nasal spray (Flonase®, Xhance®, in Dymista®), esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR®), famotidine (Pepcid AC®); lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR®), nizatidine (Axid AR®), omeprazole (Prilosec OTC®, Zegerid OTC®), or ranitidine. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know that you are taking these medications before you start taking itraconazole. Do not start any of these medications while taking itraconazole without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, cystic fibrosis (an inborn disease that causes problems with breathing, digestion, and reproduction), any condition that decreases the amount of acid in your stomach, an organ transplant (surgery to replace an organ in the body), low white blood cells, any condition that affects your immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or kidney or liver problems.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not take itraconazole to treat nail fungus if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. You may start to take itraconazole to treat nail fungus only on the second or third day of your menstrual period when you are sure you are not pregnant. You must use effective birth control during your treatment and for 2 months afterward. If you become pregnant while taking itraconazole to treat any condition, call your doctor.
• you should know that itraconazole may make you dizzy or cause blurred or double vision. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Itraconazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas or bloating
• heartburn
• stomach pain
• unpleasant taste
• headache
• sweating
• muscle pain or weakness
• joint pain
• decreased sexual desire
• inability to get or keep an erection
• missed or irregular menstrual periods
• nervousness
• depression
• runny nose and other cold symptoms
• fever
• hair loss

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

• ringing in the ears
• inability to control urination or urinating more than usual
• feelings of numbness, tingling, pricking, burning, or creeping on the skin
• ongoing pain that begins in the stomach area, but may spread to the back

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, stop taking itraconazole and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• excessive tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools
• hearing loss
• blistering or peeling skin
• rash; hives; itching; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, ankles, or lower legs; hoarseness; difficulty breathing or swallowing
• headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, dizziness, anxiety; muscle weakness, spasms, or cramping, palpitations or feeling like heart is skipping beats, constipation, tingling or numbness

One of the ingredients in itraconazole oral solution caused cancer in some types of laboratory animals. It is not known whether people who take itraconazole solution have an increased risk of developing cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking itraconazole solution.

Itraconazole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of emergency/overdose

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

🔗 Reference: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692049.html