Generic name: Ketoconazole
Brand names: Nizoral, Ketopine, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric
What is Nizoral?
Nizoral is a popular allylamine antifungal medicament that has been labeled as antibiotic. It prescribed for the treatment of skin infections like certain kinds of dandruff, jock itch, athlete’s foot, pityriasis (tinea versicolor) and ringworm, including a fungal infection that causes a lightening or darkening of the skin of the arms or legs or neck or chest. It works by preventing the growth of fungus.
Nizoral should be used with extreme caution in children because effectiveness and safety in children have not been confirmed. Always advise a health care professional before giving Nizoral to a child.
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Nizoral earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
It is important to report to a doctor if you have or had the following conditions:
- heart disorders (such as heart rhythm problems)
- family history of “Long QT syndrome”
- liver or kidney disease
- allergy to ketoconazole, other dyes, medicines, preservatives, foods
- diabetes
- decreased stomach acid (achlorhydria)
- pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant
How to take Nizoral?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Do not share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s prescription. Do not take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
This drug is administered as tablet to take orally, cream, shampoo, gel and foam.
The usual initial dosage of this drug is 200-400 mg. It is usually taken once or twice a day, at regular intervals. The tablets should be accompanied by some water. It is important to drink few glasses of water each day during treatment with Nizoral to protect your kidneys. You may take it either with or without food. In order to minimize stomach irritation and help your body absorb the drug is possible to combine with food. The tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, crush or break them. The use of cream, shampoo, gel or foam can be carefully read from the label or a physician can be consulted for the same.
The dosage of Nizoral is based on individuals and response to cure. It is obviously to ask your health care professional before to take Nizoral. Follow your doctor instructions carefully.
What should be done if I missed the dose?
In case you forgot to take the dose, take it at your earliest opportunity. Never double your dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Take only one dose at once.
Overdosage:
Any medication taken large doses can have serious consequences. If you are overdosed tell your medic at once.
Overdose of Nizoral may give rise to nausea, ringing in the ears, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness or diarrhea.
Interaction:
- dofetilide
- cisapride
- isoniazid
- quinidine
- antacids
- cyclosporine
- medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson’s disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
- astemizole
- warfarin
- paricalcitol
- ergotamine, dihydroergotamine or methysergide
- bosentan
- medicines for stomach ulcers and other stomach problems
- pioglitazone
- terfenadine
- other medicines for fungal or yeast infections
- hormones (prednisone or cortisone)
- medicines for lowering cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin)
- didanosine (ddI)
- doxercalciferol
- certain medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping
- pimozide
- phenytoin
- tolbutamide
- rifampin
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
Which side effects can I perceive from this remedy?
- Allergic reaction (hives; skin rash or swelling; itching; swelling of your tongue, lips, face, or throat; difficulty breathing)
- Problems with breathing, tightness in the chest
- Difficulty urinating (urinary retention), dark urine
- Fever, chills
- Fatigue, faintness
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Redness, blistering of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headache, dizziness, ringing in your ears or hearing loss
- Indigestion, or upset stomach, bloating, stomach gas, pain or cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Loss of appetite
- Thirst or dry mouth, nose, or throat
If these persist or worsen, notify your medical practitioner immediately. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. If you feel other effects not mentioned above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
How should Nizoral be stored?
Nizoral should be stored at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F), in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Nizoral out of the reach of children and away from animals.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.