Nizoral (Ketoconazole)

        Nizoral is an antifungal antibiotic which is used to treat serious fungal or yeast infections, such as candidiasis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, chromoblastomycosis, or paracoccidioidomycosis. Nizoral kills sensitive fungi by interfering with the formation of the fungal cell membrane. Also, Nizoral is used to treat parasitic fungal infections on the skin that cannot be treated with topical medicine or griseofulvin, or for patients who cannot take griseofulvin.

        Take it orally with food or milk at the same time each day. The recommended starting dose for adults is 200 mg once a day. Dosage for children 2-year-old is based on body weight and consist of a single daily dose of 3.3 to 6.6 mg/kg. Do not use it without a doctor’s permission and dose has to be prescribed just after consulting with your doctor. For children, up to 2 years of age use it just after a doctor’s permission and dose has to be prescribed after consulting with your doctor. Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It’s very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It helps you to get the best results.

        Liver problems may occur while you are taking this medicine. If you experience one of this symptoms: dark urine; abdominal pain or tenderness; clay-coloured stools; nausea and vomiting; decreased appetite; skin rash; fever; headache; itching; loss of appetite; swelling of the feet or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin call your doctor immediately. Nizoral should not be used during pregnancy, becoming pregnant or lactating without doctor’s advice. Do not use this drug before breast-feeding without doctor’s permission.

        Nizoral is not allowed to people who are hypersensitive to any components of this medication. Also, it is contraindicated with terfenadine, astemizole, triazolam, cisapride.

        They may include an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also, the most possible side effects include 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-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Less serious include: mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; mild itching or skin rash; headache; dizziness; breast swelling; or impotence or loss of interest in sex. If you experience one of them stop using Nizoral and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also, consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

        Nizoral interacts with following a list of drugs: 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 (Advisor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), and others; or medications to treat HIV or AIDS. Also, note that the interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual, it affects the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how its interactions are being managed or should be managed.

        If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usual dose next day in the same regularly time.

        Symptoms of Nizoral overdose are not known well, but if you experience any unusual symptoms call your doctor immediately. Also in the event of accidental over-dosage, supportive measures, including gastric lavage with sodium bicarbonate, should be employed.

        Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.