Ketoconazole is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the
body including the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, or skin.
Ketoconazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ketoconazole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ketoconazole, or if you are also
taking triazolam (Halcion).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take ketoconazole:
decreased stomach acid (achlorhydria);
liver disease;
kidney disease;
a heart rhythm disorder; or
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ketoconazole is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan
to become pregnant during treatment.
Ketoconazole may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take ketoconazole?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Ketoconazole works best if you take it with food.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ketoconazole will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be
checked with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store ketoconazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of ketoconazole?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ketoconazole?
Your pharmacist has information about ketoconazole written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ketoconazole?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
numbness or tingly feeling;
severe depression, confusion, or thoughts of hurting
yourself; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, weakness,
dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
mild itching or skin rash;
headache;
dizziness;
breast swelling; or
impotence or loss of interest in sex.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ketoconazole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ketoconazole, or if you are also
taking triazolam (Halcion).
Before taking ketoconazole, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a heart
rhythm disorder, decreased stomach acid (achlorhydria), or a history of "Long QT syndrome."
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ketoconazole will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu.
Avoid taking antacids or stomach acid reducers (Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, and others)
for at least 2 hours after you have taken your dose of ketoconazole. These medications can make it
harder for the ketoconazole tablet to dissolve in your stomach.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may cause unpleasant side effects while you are taking
ketoconazole.
What should I avoid while taking ketoconazole?
Avoid taking antacids or stomach acid reducers (Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, and others)
for at least 2 hours after you have taken your dose of ketoconazole. These medications can make it
harder for the ketoconazole tablet to dissolve in your stomach.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may cause unpleasant side effects while you are taking
ketoconazole.
What other drugs will affect ketoconazole?
Many drugs can interact with ketoconazole. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you
are using:
acetaminophen (Tylenol);
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral);
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
tacrolimus ((Prograf);
loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, Tavist ND);
methylprednisolone (Medrol);
phenytoin (Dilantin);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
diabetes medication you take by mouth;
a sedative such as midazolam (Versed);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
cancer medications;
birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
cholesterol medications such as niacin (Advicor),
atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), and others; or
medications to treat HIV or AIDS.
This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that
can interact with ketoconazole.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ketoconazole?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009