Ketoconazole-oral

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking ketoconazole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. This medication may be taken with or without food, but taking it with food helps to reduce stomach upset.If you are taking an antacid, take ketoconazole at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking the antacid, otherwise ketoconazole may not be absorbed into the body. See also Drug Interactions for more information.The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also based on weight. It may take from several days to several months to complete treatment.This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

See also Side Effects section.Before taking ketoconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungal drugs (such as fluconazole, itraconazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, alcohol use, low testosterone levels, decreased adrenal gland function problems (such as low cortisol levels, Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency), little or no stomach acid production (achlorhydria).Ketoconazole may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using ketoconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using ketoconazole safely.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication because alcohol increases the risk of serious liver problems. Avoiding alcoholic beverages will also decrease the risk of a rare reaction with ketoconazole that may result in flushing, headache, and nausea.Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may cause harm to an unborn baby if taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

From

Infectious Disease Resources

• 8 Serious HIV Symptoms to Watch For
• Is It a Cold, Strep, or Tonsillitis?
• Tips to Prevent Cold Sores

Featured Centers

• 13 Best Quit-Smoking Tips Ever
• What Stress Does to Your Mouth
• Healthy Home: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic?

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

• Frequent Constipation?
• Greater Food Accessibility

Reviewed on 4/16/2014 References

See also Warning section.

Ketoconazole is used to treat certain serious fungal infections in the body. Ketoconazole belongs to the class of drugs called azole antifungals. It works by stopping the growth of the fungus.

Ketoconazole should not be used to treat fungal infections on the skin and nails due to the risk of serious side effects and drug interactions. Talk to your doctor about other medications you can use to treat these types of infection.

How to use Ketoconazole

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking ketoconazole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. This medication may be taken with or without food, but taking it with food helps to reduce stomach upset.

If you are taking an antacid, take ketoconazole at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking the antacid, otherwise ketoconazole may not be absorbed into the body. See also Drug Interactions for more information.

The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). In children, the dosage is also based on weight. It may take from several days to several months to complete treatment.

This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

See also Side Effects section.

Before taking ketoconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungal drugs (such as fluconazole, itraconazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, alcohol use, low testosterone levels, decreased adrenal gland function problems (such as low cortisol levels, Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency), little or no stomach acid production (achlorhydria).

Ketoconazole may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using ketoconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using ketoconazole safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication because alcohol increases the risk of serious liver problems. Avoiding alcoholic beverages will also decrease the risk of a rare reaction with ketoconazole that may result in flushing, headache, and nausea.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may cause harm to an unborn baby if taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.