NIZORAL

Anti Fungal / Nizoral / 6 units of 50 ml. (shampoo) of Brand Nizoral (Ketoconazole) * 2 % Laboratory: Janssen-Cilag 86.59$ Buy Now

GENERIC NAME: ketoconazole

BRAND NAME: Nizoral

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication. Fungi are organisms normally found on the skin and in moist areas of the body. When the skin is injured or chronically moistened, or normal bacteria flora of the body are altered due to prolonged antibiotic treatment, fungus can proliferate to cause inflammation of the skin or moist body areas. Fungus organisms can also infect the lungs and other body tissues especially in patients with weakened immune systems.

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 200 mg; Shampoo: 2%; Cream:2%.

STORAGE: Ketoconazole tablets: store at 59-86degrees F, protect from moisture. Ketaconazole shampoo: store at a temperature not above 77 degrees F, protect from light.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Ketoconazole is used to treat a variety of fungal infections. Examples of these fungal infections include candida infections of the skin or mouth (thrush), blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidiomycosis, and others. Ketoconazole is also used to treat fungal infections that have not responded to griseofulvin, another antifungal medication.

DOSING: Ketoconazole may be taken with or without food. Ketoconazole tablets need the acidity of the stomach to dissolve. Therefore, ketoconazole should be administered at least two hours before taking antacids or acid-inhibiting medications (such as Tagamet or Zantac).
Ketoconazole should be avoided by patients with liver dysfunction. Signs of liver problems include unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), dark urine, and pale stools. Development of these symptoms while taking ketoconazole should be reported to the physician.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Ketoconazole should not be administered together with antihistamines terfenadine (Seldane) and astemizole (Hismanal), or with cisapride (Propulsid), because of increased risk of serious heart side effects. Ketoconazole should not be taken with the sedative triazolam (Halcion), because of risk of excessive sedation. Digoxin (Lanoxin) and phenytoin (Dilantin) levels should be monitored when taking ketoconazole. Tuberculosis medications INH and rifampin lower the blood levels of ketoconazole. Ketoconazole taken with alcohol can cause flushing, rash, swelling, headache, and nausea. Ketoconazole shampoo can irritate the eyes, and should be used with caution. Ketoconazole is avoided in children.

PREGNANCY: Ketoconazole is avoided during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: Ketoconazole is avoided in nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: Ketoconazole is generally well tolerated. Ketoconazole can cause rash, itching, nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, fatigue, impotence, and blood count abnormalities. Rarely, ketoconazole has caused a reaction resulting in serious lowering of the blood pressure and shock (anaphylaxis). Also rarely, ketoconazole has caused severe depression, hair loss, and tingling sensations. Ketoconazole shampoo has been reported to result in loss of curl of permanently waved hair.