What is Itraconazole?
Itraconazole is an anti-fungal medicine that is used in adults to treat infections caused by fungus. It includes infections in any body part like lungs, mouth, throat, and fingernails. It helps prevent various types of fungi by preventing them from producing membranes surrounding the fungal cells.
Itraconazole Uses
- It helps in treating fungal infections of toenails.
- Used for treating various yeast infections of the mouth, throat or esophagus.
- It helps in slowing down the growth of fungi, which can cause infection.
Itraconazole Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Itraconazole are:
Some of the major side effects of Itraconazole are:
- High blood pressure
- Increased blood triglycerides
- Hepatitis
- Congestive heart failure
- Unusual fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Dark Urine
- Pale Stool
If you have serious symptoms, immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. If you get any reactions in your body due to Itraconazole, try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines after seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine, which are greater than the side effects. Most people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Itraconazole side effects.
Precautions Before Using Itraconazole
- Before taking Itraconazole, talk to a doctor if you’re allergic to anti-fungal medications. The product may contain some improper ingredients, leading to serious side effects.
- Share with the doctor if you’re taking prescription or non-prescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements and other herbal products.
- If you take antacid medications, take them 1 hour before and 2 hours after taking Itraconazole.
- Stop taking Itraconazole if you are facing any signs of congestive heart failure, feeling tired, breathlessness, cough with mucus, irregular heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain and sleep disorders.
How to Take Itraconazole?
Itraconazole comes in capsules, tablets and solution (liquid). If you’re taking Itraconazole to treat fungal infections in the lungs, the capsules are taken at night or after a full meal 1 to 2 times a day for at least three months.
If you’re taking Itraconazole to treat a serious fungal infection in the lungs, then the dosage should be taken after the meal three times a day for the first three days of treatment and then two times a day for at least three months.
Take Itraconazole solution for fungal infections of the mouth or throat; wish 10 millimetres (i.e. about two teaspoons) of the solution in your mouth.
Itraconazole capsules and oral solution are observed in the body in different ways, and it works as a treatment for various conditions.
Itraconazole (Oral Capsule) Dosage
Treatment of Blastomycosis and Histoplasmosis:
- 200 mg once daily. If there is no improvement, then increase your drugs to 100 mg to a maximum of 400 mg daily.
- Dosage above 200 mg should be divided into two doses per day.
Treatment of Aspergillosis:
- The daily dose of 200-400 mg
Treatment of Onychomycosis
- Take 200 mg of Itraconazole once daily to treat toenails for 12 consecutive weeks.
- For the treatments of fingernails, take 400 mg per day for one week.
Advantages of Itraconazole
- It helps in reducing side effects and toxicity.
- It works as an anti-fungal against onychomycosis and candidiasis affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
Itraconazole is the most effective drug, followed by Ketoconazole, Terbinafine and Fluconazole.
Advantages of Itraconazole
- Helps in reducing side effects and toxicity
- Works as anti-fungal against onychomycosis, candidiasis affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
Itraconazole is found to be the most effective drug, followed by Ketoconazole, Terbinafine and Fluconazole.
Missed Dose
Missing one or two doses of Itraconazole won’t affect your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. However, some medications won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose, some sudden chemical change may affect your body. Sometimes, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Itraconazole tablets, there is a chance of harming your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Itraconazole Usage Warnings for Serious Health Conditions
Pregnancy
There is no adequate study on pregnant women. Pregnant women should avoid Itraconazole for the treatment of nail fungal infections.
Breastfeeding
Itraconazole is excreted in breast milk. So, this drug should be avoided during breastfeeding.
Itraconazole Capsule Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept safe and out of children’s reach.
Mainly, the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Itraconazole:
- Consult your doctor. If you face problems or side effects after taking Itraconazole, immediately rush to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment.
- Always carry your medications in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies.
- Follow your prescription and follow your doctor’s advice whenever you take Itraconazole.
Itraconazole vs. Fluconazole
| Itraconazole | Fluconazole |
|---|---|
| Itraconazole is an anti-fungal medicine that is used in adults to treat infections caused by fungus. It includes infections in any body part like the lungs, mouth, throat, toenails and fingernails. | Fluconazole is used to prevent and treat candidiasis (fungal infection). It is used for treating diseases of the brain and spinal cord. |
| Itraconazole treats various yeast infections in the mouth, throat, or esophagus. | Fluconazole is used for treating candidiasis. It can cause infections in other body parts, including the throat, esophagus, lungs and blood. |
