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Itraconazole

 

Itraconazole (generic Sporanox) Review

brand names: Sporanox PulsePak, Sporanox, Examples included Sporanox
generic name: Itraconazole

Why is Itraconazole prescribed?

Sporanox capsules are used to treat three types of serious fungal infection: blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis. Blastomycosis can affect the lungs, bones, and skin. Histoplasmosis can affect the lungs, heart, and blood. Aspergillosis can affect the lungs, kidneys, and other organs. The drug is also prescribed for onychomycosis, which infects the toenails and fingernails. Additionally, Sporanox is used against fungal infections in people with weak immune systems, such as AIDS patients.

Sporanox oral solution is used to treat candidiasis (fungal infection) of the mouth, throat, and gullet (esophagus), and for other fungal infections in people with weakened immunity and fever.

Why should Sporanox not be prescribed?

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Sporanox or similar antifungal drugs such as Nizoral, you should not take this medication. Make sure that your doctor is aware of any drug reactions that you have experienced.

Sporanox can have a negative effect on the heart. It should not be used for fungal nail infections in people with cardiac problems such as congestive heart failure.

Serious heart problems, such as pimozide, levacetylmethadol, have occurred in people who have taken Sporanox at the same time as cisapride, irregular heartbeats and even death, or cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins,. Never take these drugs with Sporanox, and avoid Halcion, Quinidex, Versed, and Tikosyn as well.

If you have cystic fibrosis or a low white blood cell count, taking Sporanox is not advised.

During pregnancy, Sporanox should not be used for treatment of fungal nail infections.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• This medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used by women who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
  
  
• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless the infection being treated is life-threatening and the potential benefit of treatment outweighs any potential risk to the developing baby. This is because the medicine could potentially be harmful to a developing baby. Women who could get pregnant should use an effective method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking a course of this medicine. A barrier method such as condoms should preferably be used, as this medicine may reduce the effectiveness of the pill. After you have finished the course of this medicine you should keep using contraception until your next menstrual period. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.
  
  

What side effects may I notice from taking Itraconazole capsules?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
•difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
•dark yellow or brown urine
•loss of appetite
•pale stools
•redness, hives
•swelling, itching, itching
•stomach pain
•skin rash, including inside the mouth
•skin rash, peeling or loosening of the skin, blistering, fluid retention
•unusual fatigue
•vomiting
•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•diarrhea
•dizziness
•headache
•nausea

What is Itraconazole (Sporanox)?

Itraconazole (Sporanox) is an antifungal medication. It is like an antibiotic but is used to treat fungal infections.

Itraconazole (Sporanox) may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Itraconazole (Sporanox) is used to treat fungal infections in the lungs, in the central nervous system, in other parts of the body, as well as serious fungal infections of the skin and nails. The Itraconazole oral solution is used to treat yeast infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

Blastomycosis and Histoplasmosis

The usual dose is two 100-milligram capsules, taken after a full meal once a day. If you feel no improvement, or if there is evidence that the fungal disease has spread, your doctor will increase the dose 100 milligrams at a time to a maximum of 400 milligrams a day. Daily dosages above 200 milligrams a day should be divided into 2 smaller doses.

Onychomycosis

The usual dose for a toenail infection, whether or not fingernails are also involved, is 200 milligrams once a day for 12 weeks.

Candidiasis, esophagus

The usual dose is 10 milliliters of oral solution a day for at least 3 weeks. You should continue the treatment for 2 weeks after your symptoms clear up. If necessary, the doctor may increase the dose to 20 milliliters a day.

Aspergillosis

The usual dose is 200 to 400 milligrams a day. Treatment usually continues for a minimum of 3 months, until tests indicate that the fungal infection has subsided.

If only fingernails are infected, treatment is given in two 7-day-long sessions during which you take 200 milligrams of Sporanox twice a day, with a 3-week rest period between sessions.

Candidiasis, mouth and throat

The usual dose is 20 milliliters of oral solution a day for 1 to 2 weeks. If the infection does not go away, your dose will be changed to 10 milliliters twice a day.