Description
Itraconazole is an antifungal that functions to inhibit the growth of fungi by destroying the fungal cell membrane. It is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by fungi. Each capsule contains 100 mg of Itraconazole as its active ingredient.
Drug = Itraconazole
Strength = 100 mg
Contains = 7 pill
How to take
Itraconazole is available in 3 forms: tablet, capsule (conventional or pulse-release form), and oral solution.
Both the tablet and capsule (conventional and pulse release) should be taken immediately after a meal. You need to swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, crush or break the capsule or tablet.
It is best taken at the same time each day and until the entire treatment duration. Do not interrupt the prescribed dosage regimen.
Dosage of Itraconazole (Itaspor) 100 mg Capsule
Nail fungal infections:
Adult: As cap: 200 mg once daily for a period of 3 months.
As pulse treatment: 200 mg twice a day for seven days, may repeat another course of treatment for fingernail infection and 2 treatment cycles for toenail infection. There should be a period of 21 days drug free interval.
Pityriasis Versicolor:
Adult: 200 mg once daily for seven days.
Primary or secondary prophylaxis of infections in neutropenic or AIDS patients:
Adult: 200 mg daily, may increase to 200 mg twice a day if necessary.
Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris:
Adult: 100 mg once daily for 15 days or 200 mg once daily for seven days.
Oropharyngeal candidiasis:
Adult: 100 mg once daily for 15 days.
In patients with AIDS or neutropenia: 200 mg once daily for 15 days.
Systemic fungal infections:
Adult: 100-200 mg once daily, may increase to 200 mg twice a day for invasive or disseminated infections.
In life-threatening infections: Loading dose: 200 mg three times a day for three days.
Maintenance dose 2-5mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for 12 months
Tinea manuum, Tinea pedis:
Adult: As cap: 100 mg once daily for 30 days. As pulse treatment: 200 mg twice a day for seven days.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis:
Adult: As cap: 200 mg for 2 doses only
Missed Dose of Itraconazole (Itaspor) 100 mg Capsule
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double a dose under any circumstances.
Overdose of Itraconazole (Itaspor) 100 mg Capsule
If you think you may have used Itraconazole more than the usual dose, please seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications
People with the following medical conditions should not take Itraconazole:
- Hypersensitivity
- History of Congestive Heart Failure
- Pregnancy (non-life-threatening infection)
Side Effects
Itraconazole may have any of the following side effects:
- Worsening of the heart failure
- hearing loss(may be temporary or permanent)
- Allergic reactions
- Low white blood cell and platelet count
- Chest pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Tinnitus (ringing of ears)
- Visual disturbances (blurring or doubling of vision)
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, epigastric discomfort)
- Change in bowel habits(diarrhea or constipation)
- Abnormal collection of fluid either on the legs or on the face
- Yellowish discoloration of the eyes, palms and skin
- Itchiness all over the body
- Laboratory examination abnormalities (liver enzymes and creatine phosphokinase)
- Numbness and tingling of the extremities
- Muscle and joint pains
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Altered sense of taste
- Irregularities in menstrual cycle or flow
- Erectile dysfunction
- Difficulty of breathing with or without cough
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sensitivity to light
- Bald patches on the scalp area, otherwise known as alopecia
- Abnormalities in the blood pressure (either too high or too low)
Potentially Fatal side effect:
- Acute liver failure (rare)
Warnings
Do not take Itraconazole with the following medicines:
- Antiepileptic drugs (Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- Antituberculosis drugs (Isoniazid, rifabutin, rifampicin)
- Antiretroviral drugs (Nevirapine, efavirenz, indinavir, ritonavir, telaprevir,saquinavir)
- Drugs that act to reduce gastric acid secretion (proton pump inhibitors, antacids, H2 receptor antagonists)
- Antibiotics (Erythromycin, Clarithromycin,Ciprofloxacin)
- Anti arrhythmic drugs (Digoxin, verapamil)
- Antihistamines (Bilastine)
- Drugs that prevent anxiety attacks ( midazolam,alprazolam,buspirone)
- Drugs that lower blood sugar levels (repaglinide)
- Analgesics (meloxicam,oxycodone)
- Drugs that prevent erectile dysfunction(bosentan,sildenafil,tadalafil)
- Drugs that prevent blood clot formation (apixaban, coumadin,cilostazol)
Itraconazole may have fatal effects when taken with any of the following:
- Drugs that lower blood pressure (felodipine, lercanidipine,nisoldipine,eplerenone)
- Drugs that decrease serum cholesterol levels (Simvastatin, Lovastatin)
- Antihistamines (astemizole,mizolastine, terfenadine)
- Anti arrhythmic drugs (bepridil,cisapride,disopyramide,dofetilide, dronedarone)
- Anti malarial drugs ( Halofrantine, quinidine)
- Analgesics (levacetylmethadol, dihydroergotamine, ergometrine
- Drugs that control unnecessary movements (pimozide)
- Drugs that control psychosis (sertindole,lurasidone
- Drugs that treat sleep disorders (triazolam, midazolam
- Drugs that treat cancer (irinotecan)
- Drugs that control chest pain related to heart conditions (ranolazine)
- Drugs that lower uric acid production (colchicine)
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other herbal food supplements and over the counter medications.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Itraconazole.
How Does It Work?
Itraconazole inhibits the cytochrome P-450 enzyme and decreases the ergosterol biosynthesis resulting in the inability of the fungus to produce a cell membrane to protect themselves. Ergosterol is an important component of the fungal cell membrane and its deficiency will cause an increase in cellular permeability causing the drug to cross freely and exert its effect.
Uses
Itraconazole is used to treat the following conditions:
- Candidiasis (esophageal, oral, oropharyngeal, vulvovaginal)
- Prophylaxis of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients
- Pityriasis Versicolor
- Tinea corporis
- Tinea cruris
- Nail fungal infections
- Systemic fungal infections
- Prophylaxis of infections in neutropenic or AIDS patients
Special Precautions and Warnings
Patients with any of the following conditions:
- Ischemic or valvular heart disease
- Undiagnosed swelling of the extremities or the facial area
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Achlorhydria
- Cystic fibrosis
- Decreased white blood cell counts
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Organ transplant patients
- Renal and hepatic impairment
- Elderly
- Pregnancy and lactating women (except for those with life-threatening infection)
Storage Conditions
- Both the capsule and the tablet are to be stored in temperatures between 15-25°C away from direct sunlight
- Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
- Do not use Itraconazole after the date indicated on the packaging.
