Details

Itraconazole is an antifungal medication that fights infections caused by fungus. Itraconazole is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the lungs, mouth or throat, toenails, or fingernails. You should not take itraconazole to treat a toenail or fingernail infection if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment. To make sure itraconazole is safe for you tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, circulation problems, or a history of stroke chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing disorder kidney disease cirrhosis or other liver disease cystic fibrosis or a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome. You should not breastfeed while using itraconazole.

Typical Uses

Itraconazole is an azole antifungal medication used to treat a variety of fungal infections. This drug may also be used to prevent certain fungal infections in patients with HIV.

Side Effects

Stop taking itraconazole and inform your doctor immediately if you have a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out confusion, ringing in your ears, problems with hearing fast heartbeats numbness or tingly feeling, blurred vision, double vision, loss of bladder control severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting little or no urinating, pain or burning when you urinate signs of congestive heart failure-shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), cough with mucus, fast heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain, sleep problems or liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Itraconazole+alfentanil- Itraconazole may significantly increase the blood levels of alfentanil. This can increase the risk or severity of side effects such as excessive sedation, respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythm. You may need a dose adjustment to safely use both medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Itraconazole+axitinib- Itraconazole may significantly increase the blood levels of axitinib. This may increase side effects such as high blood pressure, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, decreased appetite, weight loss, and rash, itching or peeling of skin on the hands and feet.
• Itraconazole+bepridil- Talk to your doctor before using itraconazole together with bepridil. Combining these medications can significantly increase the blood levels and effects of bepridil. You may be more likely to experience serious side effects such as irregular heart rhythm, fluid retention, swelling, heart failure, and excessively low blood pressure. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Itraconazole+ceritinib- Itraconazole may significantly increase the blood levels of ceritinib. This can increase the risk or severity of side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), and irregular heart rhythm. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Mechanism of action

Itraconazole acts mainly by preventing the growth of fungi. It prevents the synthesis of an essential component of fungal cell membrane (ergosterol) this results in increased cellular permeability causing leakage of cellular contents from fungal cell, ultimately preventing fungal growth.

Pregnancy Category : C