Drug Title

Nizoral (Ketoconazole)

Application

Nizoral is a synthetic antifungal drug given to treat several fungal skin infections like athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis which are hard to treat with other medications. It may also be prescribed for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Application method

Use Nizoral as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on the label.

Take Nizoral inside while eating or after the meal.

Do not take antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after Nizoral. If you are also taking anticholinergic drugs (for example, hyoscyamine), H2 antagonist (for example, famotidine) or proton pump inhibitors (for example, omeprazole), take Nizoral at least 2 hours before the H2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors or anticholinergics.

To cure your infection completely, take Nizoral full course. Keep taking it even if you feel better within a few days.

Nizoral works better when taken at the scheduled time each day.

The mechanism of action

Nizoral is antifungal azoles. It kills sensitive fungi by inhibiting the formation of fungal cell membranes.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Nizoral, you should take it as soon as possible. If this occurred while taking your next dose, skip the missed one and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose at once.

Keeping

Nizoral tablets: keep at 59-86 degrees F, protect from moisture. Nizoral shampoo: store at temperatures above 77 degrees F in a dark place.

Precautionary measures

DO NOT use Nizoral in case:

• you are allergic to any Nizoral ingredient
• you have a fungal infection of the meninges (meningitis fungal)
• you are taking aldosterone blocker (for example, eplerenone), astemizole, cisapride, conivaptan, dofetilide, ergot alkaloids (for example, ergotamine), erythromycin, midazolam, nevirapine, pimozide, quinazoline (for example, alfuzosin), quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, terfenadine, triazolam or 5-HT receptors (for example, Eletriptan)

Contact your doctor immediately if any of these items concern you.

• Some medicines may interact with Nizoral. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical diseases, especially if any of the following ones concern you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feed
• 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 (for example, itraconazole)
• if you have low stomach acid (for example, hypochlorhydria)
• if you have a history of liver disease, regular alcohol use, alcohol abuse or dependence or problems with blood (for example, porphyria)

Some medicines may interact with Nizoral. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Many drugs go with or without prescription (for example, the ones, which are used to treat infections, HIV, seizures, anxiety, sleep, heartburn, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure, allergies, irregular heartbeat, pain, blood thinning, asthma, migraines, mental problemh, cancer, prostate problems, immune system suppression, erectile dysfunction, urinary problems or contraception), multivitamin products and herbal or dietary supplements may interact with Nizoral, increasing the risk of serious side effects
• Nevirapine, rifabutin, or rifampin, as they may decrease the effectiveness of Nizoral
• astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, erythromycin, pimozide, quinidine, terfenadine because of the risk of serious heart effects
• Midazolam or triazolam, as their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased for patients, receiving Nizoral that leads to an increased risk of sedation and heavy breathing
• Aldosterone blockers (for example, eplerenone), conivaptan, ergot alkaloids (for example, ergotamine), quinazolines (for example, alfuzosin) or 5-HT receptor agonists (for example, eletriptan), as the risk of their side effects may be increased due to the Nizoral intake

Side effects

Some of the common side effects of are fever and chills, skin rash, itching, dark or amber urine, fever and sore throat, loss of appetite, pale stools, reddening.

Additional information

If you have any questions about Nizoral, please consult your doctor.
Nizoral should be used only on prescription.
If symptoms do not improve or become worse, consult your doctor.