Pronunciation: IT-ra-KON-a-zole
Generic Name: Itraconazole
Brand Name: Sporanox
Itraconazole Solution has been shown to cause decreased heart function. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of congestive heart failure such as swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or abdomen; bloating; shortness of breath; fast or irregular heartbeat; severe or persistent nausea; or confusion.
Use of Itraconazole Solution along with certain other medicines may increase your risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart problems, including irregular heartbeat. Do not take Itraconazole Solution if you are also taking cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, dofetilide, or levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl).
Itraconazole Solution is used for:
Treating fungal infections. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Itraconazole Solution is an azole antifungal. It kills sensitive fungi by interfering with the formation of the fungal cell membrane.
Do NOT use Itraconazole Solution if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Itraconazole Solution
- you are taking an aldosterone blocker (eg, eplerenone), alprazolam, astemizole, cisapride, conivaptan, dofetilide, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), oral midazolam, nevirapine, nisoldipine, pimozide, a quinazoline (eg, alfuzosin), quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, terfenadine, triazolam, or certain 5-HT receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Itraconazole Solution:
Some medical conditions may interact with Itraconazole Solution. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you are allergic to other azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole)
- if you have HIV infection, a weakened immune system, low white blood cell levels, cystic fibrosis, kidney or liver problems, abnormal liver function tests, lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), low stomach acid (eg, hypochlorhydria), nerve problems, or problems with swelling or retaining fluid
- if you have an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart valve problems)
- if you have had serious liver problems caused by Itraconazole Solution or other medicines
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Itraconazole Solution. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, HIV, seizures, anxiety, sleep, heartburn, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure, allergies, irregular heartbeat, pain, blood thinning, asthma, migraines, mood or mental problems, cancer, prostate problems, immune system suppression, erectile dysfunction, urinary problems, or birth control [eg, birth control pills]), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements may interact with Itraconazole Solution, increasing the risk of serious side effects
- Nevirapine, rifabutin, or rifampin because they may decrease Itraconazole Solution's effectiveness
- Astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, or terfenadine because the risk of severe heart effects may be increased
- Alprazolam, midazolam, or triazolam because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Itraconazole Solution, resulting in increased risk of sedation and breathing difficulties
- Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil), conivaptan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), 5-HT receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan), or quinazolines (eg, alfuzosin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Itraconazole Solution
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Itraconazole Solution may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Itraconazole Solution:
Use Itraconazole Solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Itraconazole Solution on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
- Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
- If you are using Itraconazole Solution to treat a mouth or throat infection, swish Itraconazole Solution in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
- Do not take antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking Itraconazole Solution.
- Take Itraconazole Solution at least 2 hours before proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole).
- To clear up your infection completely, take Itraconazole Solution for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
- Itraconazole Solution works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of Itraconazole Solution, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Itraconazole Solution.
Important safety information:
- Itraconazole Solution may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Itraconazole Solution with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Rarely, Itraconazole Solution has been associated with serious, sometimes fatal liver damage. Contact your doctor right away if you notice dark urine, pale stools, a swollen or tender stomach, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Itraconazole Solution only works against fungi; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- Be sure to use Itraconazole Solution for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The fungus could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
- Do not switch between the capsule and oral solution forms of Itraconazole Solution without checking with your doctor. Effectiveness and side effects of these forms of Itraconazole Solution may be different even at the same dose.
- Diabetes patients - Itraconazole Solution may increase the risk of low blood sugar from your diabetes medicine. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Itraconazole Solution. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
- If you are using Itraconazole Solution to treat a certain type of fungal infection (onychomycosis), you should use an effective form of birth control while you are taking Itraconazole Solution and for 2 months after you have stopped treatment. Talk with your doctor about effective forms of birth control.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Itraconazole Solution before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including liver function, may be performed while you use Itraconazole Solution. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Itraconazole Solution with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially loss of hearing.
- Itraconazole Solution should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Itraconazole Solution can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Itraconazole Solution while you are pregnant. Itraconazole Solution is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Itraconazole Solution, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Itraconazole Solution:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; nausea; runny nose; stomach pain or upset; unpleasant taste; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloating; chest pain; confusion; coughing up white or pink mucus; dark urine; decreased sexual ability; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hair loss; increased or uncontrolled urination; joint pain; loss of appetite; loss of hearing; muscle pain, weakness, or cramping; numbness, burning, or tingling of the hands, arms, legs, or feet; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; sensitivity to sunlight; severe or persistent nausea; severe or persistent vomiting; severe stomach or back pain; shortness of breath; sudden weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen or tender stomach abdomen; trouble sleeping; unusual tiredness or fatigue; vision problems (eg, blurred vision, double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Itraconazole side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Itraconazole Solution:
Store Itraconazole Solution below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Itraconazole Solution out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Itraconazole Solution, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Itraconazole Solution is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Itraconazole Solution. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Itraconazole resources
- Itraconazole Side Effects (in more detail)
- Itraconazole Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Itraconazole Drug Interactions
- Itraconazole Support Group
- 11 Reviews for Itraconazole - Add your own review/rating
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