Nizoral

Generic name: Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole tablets

What are ketoconazole tablets?

KETOCONAZOLE (Nizoral®) is an antifungal type of antibiotic. It treats fungal infections such as ringworm of the body (tinea corporis), ringworm of the groin (tinea cruris or jock itch), sun fungus (tinea versicolor, pityriasis versicolor), dandruff, and other systemic (throughout the body) fungal infections. Generic ketoconazole oral tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol abuse problem
• low stomach acid production (achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria)
• liver disease
• other chronic illness
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, other foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take ketoconazole tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Ketoconazole works best if you take it with food. If you have a low production of stomach acid you may have to take your tablets dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid. Drink this mixture through a straw to avoid contact with the teeth. Then drink a glass of water, swishing it round your teeth before you swallow. Do not take or use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with ketoconazole?

• alcohol
• antacids
• astemizole
• bosentan
• cisapride
• cyclosporine
• didanosine (ddI)
• dofetilide
• doxercalciferol
• ergotamine, dihydroergotamine or methysergide
• hormones such as prednisone or cortisone
• isoniazid
• certain medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping
• medicines for lowering cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin)
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
• medicines for stomach ulcers and other stomach problems
• other medicines for fungal or yeast infections
• paricalcitol
• pimozide
• pioglitazone
• quinidine
• phenytoin
• rifampin
• terfenadine
• tolbutamide
• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking ketoconazole?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• dark yellow or brown urine
• loss of appetite
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• skin rash, itching
• stomach pain
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• breast swelling and tenderness, or sexual difficulties (impotence) in men
• drowsiness or dizziness
• eyes get more sensitive to light
• nausea, vomiting

What should I watch for while taking ketoconazole?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not begin to improve in 1 to 2 weeks. Some fungal infections can take many weeks or months of treatment to cure. Take your medicine regularly for as long as your prescriber or health care professional tells you to.

You may get dizzy; until you know how ketoconazole affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.

Alcohol may make you more dizzy, feel sick and increase possible damage to your liver. Avoid alcoholic drinks while you are taking ketoconazole and for two days afterwards. Other medicines you get on prescription, or buy at the pharmacy may contain small amounts of alcohol.

Do not take terfenadine (Seldane®) or astemizole (Hismanal®) with ketoconazole. This combination of medicines can produce serious effects on your heart.

Ketoconazole may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Wear dark glasses in bright sun, or under any bright lights.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.