itraconazole
What is the most important information I should know about itraconazole?You should not take this medicine if you have ever had congestive heart failure. Many drugs can interact with itraconazole, and some drugs should not be used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with itraconazole. Life-threatening side effects may occur if you take itraconazole with cisapride, dihydroergotamine, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, eplerenone, ergonovine, ergotamine, felodipine, irinotecan, ivabradine, lurasidone, lovastatin, methadone, methylergonovine, oral midazolam, nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, ranolazine, simvastatin, ticagrelor, or triazolam. If you have liver or kidney disease, you should not take itraconazole with colchicine, fesoterodine, solifenacin, or telithromycin. You should not take itraconazole to treat a toenail or fingernail infection if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment. What is itraconazole?Itraconazole is an antifungal medication that fights infections caused by fungus. Itraconazole is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the lungs, mouth or throat, toenails, or fingernails. Itraconazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking itraconazole?You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to itraconazole or similar medicines such as fluconazole or ketoconazole, or if you have ever had congestive heart failure. You should not take itraconazole to treat a toenail or fingernail infection if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment. Life-threatening side effects may occur if you take itraconazole with: - cisapride;
- irinotecan;
- methadone;
- ranolazine;
- ticagrelor;
- lurasidone or pimozide (anti-psychotic medications);
- lovastatin or simvastatin (cholesterol-lowering medicines);
- dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, or methylergonovine (ergot medicines);
- eplerenone, felodipine, ivabradine, or nisoldipine (heart or blood pressure medicines);
- disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, or quinidine (medicines for heart rhythm disorders); or
- oral midazolam, or triazolam (Valium-like sedatives).
If you have liver or kidney disease, you should not take itraconazole with colchicine, fesoterodine, solifenacin, or telithromycin. To make sure itraconazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: - heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, circulation problems, or a history of stroke;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing disorder;
- kidney disease;
- cirrhosis or other liver disease;
- cystic fibrosis; or
- a personal or family history of long QT syndrome.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 2 months after your last dose. Itraconazole can pass into breast milk and may affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. How should I take itraconazole?Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have. The itraconazole capsule should be taken after a full meal. Take itraconazole oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Swish the liquid in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing it. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. The Sporanox PulsePak has a special dosing schedule that includes not taking the medicine for several days in a row. Follow all dosing instructions carefully. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an itraconazole capsule. Swallow it whole. Itraconazole capsules should not be used in place of itraconazole oral solution (liquid) if that is what your doctor has prescribed. Make sure you have received the correct type of this medicine at the pharmacy and ask the pharmacist if you have any questions. If you also take a stomach acid reducer (Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, and others), take itraconazole with an acidic drink such as non-diet cola. Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antifungal medicine. Itraconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. While using itraconazole, you may need frequent blood tests. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. What happens if I miss a dose?Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose?Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. What should I avoid while taking itraconazole?This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Avoid taking antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take itraconazole. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb itraconazole. What are the possible side effects of itraconazole?Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, severe skin rash, tingling in your arms or legs; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking itraconazole and call your doctor at once if you have: - confusion, a light-headed feeling (like you might pass out);
- blurred vision, double vision, ringing in your ears, problems with hearing;
- fast heartbeats;
- numbness or tingly feeling, loss of bladder control;
- severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;
- little or no urinating, pain or burning when you urinate;
- signs of congestive heart failure --shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), cough with mucus, fast heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain, sleep problems; or
- liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include: - headache, dizziness;
- nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation;
- fever, muscle aches;
- impotence, erection problems; or
- changes in your menstrual periods.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. What other drugs will affect itraconazole?Many drugs can interact with itraconazole, and some drugs should not be used together. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: - an antibiotic;
- antipsychotic medicine or a sedative;
- an antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS;
- medicine to prevent blood clots;
- cancer medicine;
- drugs to treat urinary problems;
- heart or blood pressure medication;
- immunosuppressants, or medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection;
- medicine to treat high cholesterol;
- migraine headache medication;
- narcotic (opioid) pain medicine;
- seizure medicine; or
- steroid medication.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with itraconazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you. Where can I get more information?Your pharmacist can provide more information about itraconazole.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.01. Revision date: 3/27/2017.
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Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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